Chris at the wheel in Halifax Harbour!
In Slocum's Wake is owned and operated by Chris Connor, an Ocean's qualified RYA Yacht Master Instuctor and Examiner for both power and sail. Also, he is the only qualified Cruising Instructor Trainer for the RYA in North America.
Additionally, Chris holds a Master (Unlimited) STCW95 license and has been a Master Mariner since 1992.
Chris has been coaching and mentoring in the marine industry for over 35 years. He entered the Canadian Coast Guard College (CCGC) at the age of 18, graduating in 1984. Appointed as a junior deck officer in the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) fleet that same year, he rose steadily to senior positions and has experience in command of buoy tenders, search and rescue cutters and high endurance offshore patrol vessels. After leaving the CCG, Chris was appointed a Senior Investigator for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada where he gained valuble knowledge and experience in safety systems and human performance in the marine environment.
Chris' interest in teaching adults led him to St. F.X. University where he attended their award winning adult education certificate program in the 1990's. He applied this learning at sea and in volunteer positions until 1999 when he was appointed Principal Instructor for the CCG Command Operations Course. This six week long course is a prerequisite to hold command in the CCG. Chris held this appointment for two years.
Chris became hooked on sailing at 13 years of age when he began taking Canadian Yachting Association (now Sail Canada) sailing courses through the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. He continues to satisfy his love for sailing by instructing and examining for RYA.
Chris teaches in a very calm, warm, relaxed and professional manner that brings out the best performance in the learner. He draws upon his years of experience at sea to deliver expert quality instruction on boat handling, navigation, collision avoidance and all other subjects required to operate and command a sail or power vessel with confidence in a professional manner.
One of the greatest pleasures for Chris is helping collegues and students set attainable goals and watching them succeed in reaching them.
If you are interested in increasing your knowledge and confidence on the water for pleasure or you have decided to pursue a career in the superyacht or charter boat industries, Slocumswake can provide the learning environment and instruction required to meet your goals.
