Raymond & Sonja

Our cadre of marine professionals continues to grow as we welcome our newest members to the team. Fresh off the plane are Raymond and Sonya, latest imports from the Taiwan boating scene.

Back in 2012, Raymond and Sonja met while both working for Hudson Yacht & Marine in Xiamen, China. At the time, Sonja was a Project Leader for the company and Raymond started the rigging department and has done 20+ high performance sailing boats during his time at Hudson Yacht & Marine. In 2015 they moved to South Africa for a bit, before deciding to pack up again, heading to Taipei.

During their second tour in Taiwan, Sonja grew even more familiar with the yachting industry by helping setup various training courses, and assisting with one of the local yacht clubs. Raymond seized the opportunity to start his own company, Rope Monkeys, specializing in rigging. It was the first rigging company in Taiwan.

So how did these two find themselves in our beautiful neck of the woods? As it turns out, Raymond built the rigging for Cheekee Monkee, a full carbon 45ft racing and cruising catamaran owned by Kim Alfreds and based out of Vancouver. Kim knows Cooper, and Cooper knows Kim, who recommend we meet this master rigger. One thing led to another, and the opportunity was perfect for Raymond and Sonja to make the move to BC.

We’re excited to see what the future holds as both bring a ton of professional experience and love of boating to Cooper Boating and the NW Yacht Group. We’re sure there will be a fair bit of “monkey business” mixed in here and there!

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Upcoming courses

Whether you seek training in Canada with Cooper Boating or south of the border in Bellingham, WA with NW Explorations, here’s a look at the many training opportunities available.

For more information, email us at:

British Columbiaschool@cooperboating.com
Washington Statetraining@nwexplorations.com 

TRAINING & EVENT CALENDAR – 2022/2023

 

 

Oct 3 & 5

Oct 13

Oct 18

Oct 21

VHF/ROC(M) (Classroom) – Vancouver

Bay Skipper 1 – Vancouver

Coastal Navigation (Classroom) – Vancouver

Basic Power – Vancouver

November 19

VHF/ROC(M) – Online (Register by November 7)

January 9 & 16

VHF/ROC(M) – Online (Register by December 23, 2022)

March 2, 4, 5

March 9, 11, 12

March 10, 11, 12

March 25-31

Day Sail – Crew Course – Vancouver

Day Sail – Bay Skipper – Vancouver

Basic Power – Vancouver

Beginner Crew & Skipper Cruise & Learn – Sidney

April 8-10

April 9-10

April 9-10

April 9-10

April 13, 15, 16

April 14, 15, 16

April 13-17

April 15-17

April 20, 22, 23

April 22-24

April 27-May 1

April 21-28

April 23-May 3

3-day Power Boat Course – Bellingham with NW Explorations

2023 Charter Client Check-Ride Weekend – Sidney

Refresher Weekend – Sidney

Docking Clinic – Sidney

Day Sail – Crew Course – Vancouver

Basic Power – Vancouver

5-day Power Boat Course – Bellingham with NW Explorations

3-day Women on the Water Power Course – Bellingham with NW Explorations

Day Sail – Bay Skipper – Vancouver

3-day Power Boat Course – Bellingham with NW Explorations

5-day Power Boat Course – Bellingham with NW Exploration

Beginner Crew & Skipper Cruise & Learn – Sidney

10-day Advanced Sail – Sidney

May 4, 6, 7

May 4-8

May 6-8

May 6-8

May 6-13

May 7-8

May 7-8

May 7-8

May 11, 13, 14

May 12, 13, 14

May 13-15

May 18, 19, 20

May 18-22

May 20-22

May 20-22 

May 25-29

May 25, 27, 28

May 25-June 1

May 27-29

Day Sail – Crew Course – Vancouver

5-day Power Boat – Bellingham with NW Explorations

3-day Women on the Water Power Course – Bellingham with NW Explorations

3-day Power Boat Course – Bellingham with NW Explorations

Beginner Crew & Skipper Cruise & Learn (Sail) – Sidney

2023 Charter Client – Check-Ride Weekend – Vancouver

Refresher Weekend – Vancouver

Docking Clinic (Power & Sail) – Vancouver

Day Sail – Bay Skipper – Vancouver

Basic Power – Vancouver

3-day Power Boat – Bellingham with NW Explorations

Day Sail – Crew Course – Vancouver

5-day Power Boat – Bellingham with NW Explorations

3-day Women on the Water Power Course – Bellingham with NW Explorations

3-day Power Boat – Bellingham with NW Explorations

5-day Powerboat – Bellingham with NW Explorations

Day Sail – Bay Skipper – Vancouver

Beginner Crew & Skipper Cruise & Learn (Sail & Power)- Sidney

3-day Power Boat Course – Bellingham with NW Explorations

Sept. 29–Oct. 6

10-day Advanced Sail – Vancouver