L'Ecume des Mers sailing school is based around one man and his boat.

My name's Paul Wooddisse and I'm the Skipper on board L'Ecume des Mers. A passion for the sea has kindled inside me since my childhood. I first learnt to sail at Tighnabruaich, Scotland, at the age of 18. Through the early years, I sailed GP14s, Wayfarers and Lasers on lochs and inland reservoirs. In 1985, my hobby led me into deeper waters when I bought L'Ecume des Mers, a Moody 36S. I rapidly gained sea miles and experience in the waters off the English West Country, the Channel Islands, Normandy, Brittany, Northern Spain and Ireland. In 1994, I skippered L'Ecume des Mers and her crew round Great Britain. I founded the sailing school in 1995, when I qualified as an RYA Yachtmaster instructor. In 2001, my passion for Scotland in general and it's islands in particular led me to move permanently to Scotland's west coast. Having sailed round Great Britain, I can safely say that the Western Coast of Scotland offers some of the finest sailing to be had in the British Isles. In 2010, I am delighted to announce that I have appointed Phil See as a Cruising Instructor to assist me. Courses or cruises will be skippered only by me or Phil.

I’m Phil See. I’m a commercial yachtmaster with a lot of years and miles behind me. I’ve been lucky enough to sail on a variety of yachts in various locations in England, Scotland, France, Spain, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Greece, the Canaries and the Caribbean. Of all these places, I believe the west of Scotland is the most beautiful. It provides such interesting and varied sailing, and the waters around Oban and the Clyde are ideal for those wanting leisurely cruising or for candidates taking their RYA qualifications. I’ve been sailing with Paul for 9 years now - how the time flies when you’re having fun! It was Paul who guided me through my Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster exams and it was with pride and delight that I agreed to Paul’s invitation to become an instructor on L’Ecume des Mers. I like to think that I emulate Paul’s safe, relaxed and entertaining approach to skippering. My friends say I do. I also hope that my cooking is something close to his marvelous standard. Step on board and judge for yourself!