THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE COURSES

Meet the Team

Name: RYA Day Skipper Theory
Brand: Ardent Training
SKU: day-skipper
Rating: 5 (981 reviews)

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The People Behind the Courses

We believe the best training comes from people who don't just teach the syllabus, but actively live it every day. Our team is entirely hand-picked from close friends, trusted colleagues, and the very best in the industry. These are organic relationships that have cemented through our own careers at sea, sharing time on the water together all around the globe.

The Ardent team is made up of active skippers, RYA examiners, RNLI volunteers, mums, dads, brothers, and sisters, who haven't just been there and done it, they are out there still doing it today. We all love the atmosphere of working together as a genuine team, and we bring that current, real-world experience straight into your RYA training.

Holly Vint

Instructor

Holly grew up land-locked, but got a lucky break when she fell into sailing as a young adult. She's spent over a decade since then encouraging others to feel empowered on the water too!

Laura McLachlan

Instructor

Having spent most of her sailing life volunteering and working on sail training boats, helping and training people is at the heart of what Laura does. She cares about people so when she's not at sea, you'll find her on our help desk wanting to help in anyway she can.

Michelle Skelton

Instructor

Michelle started sailing full time in 2015, completing a Yachtmaster Development course to gain her YM Offshore. She has since become a YM Instructor, gained her YM Ocean and become a Shorebased Theory instructor. In her spare time she has completed passages across the North Sea, Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic.

Peter King

Help Desk support instructor

Peter has spent a lifetime playing with boats. From dinghy sailing at school, progressing to working in marinas, before becoming an instructor and running a sailing school. Now he focuses on sailing and renovating his own boats and answering your questions on the help desk.

Luke Rendell

Instructor

Luke joined Ardent with a unique background combining two aspects of his love of the sea – ocean sailing on small boats and the study of marine mammals. He has conducted research around the world, with a clear (but not exclusive!) affinity for tropical waters. A professional educator through his higher education teaching role, he brings a unique perspective to our instructor team.

Tom Farnworth

Help desk legend

Tom started life at sea when he was 12 in a mirror dinghy fishing. He progressed to waterskiing and then into sailing at 17, and quickly gained Yachtmaster Offshore. Working on super yachts and deliveries he then fell into instructing at 24, where he found his calling.

Stuart Cook

Senior Course Developer and Instructor

From skippering expedition vessels, teaching students worldwide, and becoming an RYA examiner and trainer, Stuart brings a wealth of varied experience to our great team. Stuart's time with Ardent is spent writing new material and updating courses. You'll also find him delivering live sessions and on our instructing help desk.

Alan Denham

Content Creator & Instructor

Having had a background in IT, Alan changed his love of sailing into a new career. As a sailing instructor for over 25 years he has seen many students fulfil their dreams of learning to sail and take command of a yacht. He is a content creator for Ardent as well as hosting Masterclass live sessions.

Lauren Hewett

Media Production Manager

Lauren works behind the scenes, bringing Ardent Training's courses to life - editing videos, refreshing existing content, and producing YouTube videos along the way. She's known to be a bit 'bossy' on set, but it's all in the name of getting the perfect shot. Ardent is more than just work; it's family - she's also founder Edd Hewett's sister.

Genevieve Houlihan

Admin Superstar

Genevieve was really excited to join Ardent in 2025, where she enjoys organising events and taking care of other admin tasks behind the scenes. She loves sailing so was especially happy to join her family in the Ardent Team.

Mr & Mrs B

Student Pack Distribution

An ex-serviceman and prison officer, alongside a skilled tailoress, Mr & Mrs B bring a sharp eye for detail honed over years in their respective careers. They now apply that same precision to assembling and dispatching every student pack with meticulous care and utmost speed. - They also happen to be Charly's mum and dad!

Lisa Ashbury

Marketing Consultant

With a background in design, web development and marketing. Lisa focusses on making things clearer and easier for people to navigate. At Ardent, she works behind the scenes to help the right people find the right courses, shaping content, campaigns and the overall journey.

Edd Hewett

Principal & Co-Founder

After leaving home at 18 for a life at sea, Edd sailed to all seven continents on research and expedition vessels. The more he learned, the more he wanted to share, until he eventually co-founded Ardent Training.

Charly Hewett

Chief Instructor

Charly has spent the majority of her adult life at sea, working on a range of vessels from warships, to tall ships, Antarctic expedition yachts and marine conservation research vessels. Even nowadays, she helps run Ardent Training from her floating home.

Charlie Triggs

Co-founder & CEO Director, Instructor, Opportunity Navigator

Having worked on a range of international commercial, research, and expedition vessels, Charlie has an unbounded enthusiasm for the sea and for inspiring others. You'll find him delivering your training, answering your support queries, and hosting live sessions.

We are very pleased to work with Ardent Training to provide our RYA students with their online theory courses. The team is excellent — their platform is clear, engaging, and comprehensive. Our students come to us well-prepared and equipped with all the knowledge they need, thanks to the thorough and professional theoretical instruction they receive through the course.