Rob Swain Sailing School - Certified Sailing Instructors - BVI Campus

Bryan Ruegg

Bryan began sailing at age 3. Sailing the east coast of the United States, and the Caribbean was a preferred vacation for him and his family. Having a father who is a boat builder, Captain, and sailing instructor, it was inevitable that sailing would become a big part of his life. He began to professionally sail when he was 18. Crewing on various deliveries and Tall Ships allowed him to acquire his Master 100 Ton license at age 23. More importantly he acquired the knowledge of how to sail traditional sailing vessels with multiple sail configurations aboard the Schooner Liberty and Schooner Liberty Clipper.

While on Ocean Navigator's vessel Ocean Star, he learned how to navigate celestially. Bryan has managed a marina in Sausalito, California, taught sailing, worked aboard whale watching and caving glacier tour boats in Alaska, then aboard Columbia University's (NSF), Global Seismic Ship. He pushed himself for larger challenges driving dinner and casino cruise boats. After many terrific experiences on different vessels, Bryan decided to return to his roots and true passion for sailing the Caribbean.

When Bryan is not on the water, he's pursuing his another passion in the work he is doing with The Omora Foundation, www.omora.org, in Cape Horn, Chile. It is here where he uses his degree in Biology, artistic creativity, mechanical skills, and personality to help preserve the pristine Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, http://www.phil.unt.edu/chile/capehorn.htm.

 

Paul Todd (Toddy)

An Englishman, Paul Todd (Toddy) began sailing at the age of 12. He completed his schooling aboard HMS Conway, on the Menai Straits of North Wales, before joining the UK Merchant Fleet as an apprentice Deck Officer, later joining the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue helicopter fleet as a Navigator/Winch operator.

Throughout his career, both in UK and the Mediterranean, Paul maintained a keen interest in sailing of all sorts, qualifying as a Royal Yachting Association Senior Instructor with experience in dinghies, keelboats, powerboats and yachts.

In 2000 as a Senior Flying Instructor at the Search and Rescue Training School, Paul returned to the West coast where he continued to cruise and race whilst becoming enthusiastically involved in coaching the Welsh National Youth Squad in both 29ers and Keelboats. He is now looking forward to the warmer waters of the BVI!

 

Liza Appleby

Liza grew up sailing on Buzzards Bay in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on her mom's 22' O'day and her uncles wooden catboat. In college she raced as a member of the sai ling team at University of New Hampshire. As a member of the Beverly Yacht Club in Marion, MA, Liza has spent numerous summers as foredeck crew aboard J24s and Shields; and as one of 14 as a grinder aboard a Baltic 52. She has sailed over 3000 nautical miles on two deliveries of 53' sailing yachts from Fairhaven, MA and Annapolis, MD to the Virgin Islands. Liza is an experie nced lifeguard with CPR and first-aid training; and has completed certification as a USCG Able Seaman with STCW95 safety training. L iza recently relocated to the BVI to enjo y all of the opportunities that are provided for an experienced sailor. She looks forward to sharing her love and knowledge of sailing with RSSS students and hopes her students leave with a new found passion and appreciation for the sport.

 

 

 

 

Burton Robson

As a resident of the British Virgin Islands, Burton has enjoyed thousands of nights in beautiful BVI anchorages and logged thousands of dives on the islands' outstanding reefs and wrecks.  Burton is an ASA Sailing Instructor and PADI SCUBA Instructor as well as a licensed aviator.
 
Burton voyaged thousands of miles as a singlehander, sailing from Toronto to South America while exploring anchorages and dive sites in over 35 Caribbean island nations.  He's worked for BVI dive operators, charter companies and as a delivery skipper between Caribbean Islands. His work with the BVI Tourist Board included leading dives with journalists from International SCUBA magazines.  Burton's passion for the BVI extends beyond the exceptional sailing and diving but also to the local people and their history and culture.
 
His experience as a sailor and diver, intimate knowledge of BVI anchorages and dive sites, coupled with his love of instruction and progressive skill development, provide a unique opportunity to safely gain your sailing and diving certifications while chartering with Swain Sailing.  To reach Burton directly with questions related to incorporating diving and dive certification into your Swain Sailing charter or sailing course you can email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .