07/06/2026
Meet Joan - the skipper on Goxsheim!
Joan has a long sailing career to look back at: he studied in a traditional sailing school in Enkhuizen, Netherlands. Then sailed for six years in Western Caribbean, and then ten years on big sailing vessels in the med, Caribbean and during Atlantic crossings.
Now he has switched the trade winds with Arctic breeze & ice bergs. He finds it very different and challenging - in a good way, and appreciates the raw nature and friendly locals.
To get to know him a bit better we asked him a few questions;
⚓What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
– Every pole has a rock, but not every rock has a pole.
⚓ Favourite sailing area?
– Croatia - off season when you can find nice quiet anchorages amongst the many islands. And North Norway - the landscapes are so powerful that they overwhelm me at every corner.
⚓What’s the perfect song to listen to while sailing?
– Follow the sun, Xavier Rudd
⚓Whats your favourite animal, and why?
– Honey Badger, because it is calm and slow, but nothing stops it from its goal.
⚓What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
– A good crew member I had, put me a special nickname: Captain Badger.
Want to explore Svalbard on board Goxsheim with Captain Badger this summer? :) There are still some availability on the 8-day trip “Svalbard Northwest” in July and August.
Svalbard Northwest is an adventure full of glaciers, fjords, wildlife and mountains! This is one of our more active expeditions in Svalbard, where we go on hikes ashore and really immerse ourselves in the desolate arctic landscape!
Welcome on board! :)
