Captain: Jorgen Gormsen

Captain // : Jorgen Gormsen:
Jorgen Gormsen (GORM) is of Danish nationality, married for 21 years and has been in yachting for 30 years. Gorm lived in Greenland for 8 years where in this time he was involved with engineering work, coaching Team Handball and treasurer of the Greenland handball federation. He worked as a yacht engineer before he changed it up and took up the challenge to become Captain. Gorm’s 22 years’ experience as a captain has been on charter yachts sized from 35 meters(115 ft) to 56 meters(185 ft). He has navigated the US East & West coast, Mediterranean, Seychelles, Caribbean, Svalbard, Galapagos, Tahiti and New Zealand. He is easy going, fun loving and will try his utmost to ensure that your stay on PICNIC will be one of the best vacations you’ve had. Gorm is a keen diver and loves spending time on the golf courses.

First Officer
// Shaun Frith:
Shaun was born and raised in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. Having studied IT and feeling cramped up in an office, he took the leap to try sailing in Cape Town and down the East coast of South Africa. After his 1st taste of this in 2009, he never looked back and completed his Masters license in 2019. Shaun is an RYA recognized jet ski instructor, PADI Rescue diver and is responsible for all Picnic water activities. He also has a great knowledge of the typical Mediterranean hotspots and Caribbean beaches.

Bosun // Ryan Lombard:
Ryan was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. Due to his mixed heritage and up bringing in a culturally diverse society he developed a keen interest in other cultures. Both his grandfathers served in their respective navies and his parents met each other while sailing in Saint Thomas. He’s therefore always been inclined towards the romantic notions of adventure and faraway places. When Ryan turned 18 he joined his first yacht and has recently been sailing on expedition and research vessels in the South Pacific. He joins the Picnic program excited to be chartering in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Deckhand // Radek Leonczak:
Rad was born and raised in Poland. He developed his passion for water sports as a child, sailing, fishing and spearfishing on the great lakes, north east of Poland. Travelling was always a big part of his life and after finishing his education he started working remotely in a variety of positions. He then obtained his Yacht Master qualification which allowed him to do yacht deliveries around Europe and beyond. With this background he confidently assists guests with water activities, maintaining a safe approach to having fun.

Deckhand // Michael Rademeyer:
Michael was born and raised in the small town of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. He has always had a passion for travel, tourism and hospitality which lead him into this industry. He’s other interests from a young age was always to do with anything with a motor (cars, bikes, boats and karting) Motorsport became a big passion of his and still is a big part of his life. He managed a Lodge for a year previous to changing the scenery for yachting and the ocean. With the skills gained from managing a lodge and active interest in outdoor activities, it was a smooth transition into where Michael is today.

Chief Stewardess // Charlize Frith:
Charlize was born in South Africa and raised in the country side on a wine farm near Cape Town. She completed her studies as a Somatologist where she gained thorough knowledge of customer service and management, which prepared her well for her ventures in yachting. Charlize joined the yachting industry in 2013 and has cruised extensively throughout the Mediterranean and a few season’s spent in Caribbean waters in this time. With a great love for what she does, Charlize is committed to go the extra mile to ensure guest have a wonderful time on board, leaving M/Y Picnic with the best of memories. Her hobbies includes hiking, Pilatus and getting stuck reading a good book.

Second Stewardess // Gaylaine Quach:
Gaylaine, was born and raised in the metropolitan city of Toronto, Canada. At an early age, she discovered her love for travel, as her large family would take road trips every summer; her highlight being Highway 101, touring down the West Coast of the USA. Having a love for the outdoors, Gaylaine enjoys skiing, kayaking and hiking. She is bilingual, speaking English and Cantonese. She worked as a lifeguard throughout high school and studied, Psychology and Anthropology in University. Longing for a change of scenery, Gaylaine moved to Antigua in 2013, where she attended medical school. Enticed by the surrounding waters and variety of yachts anchored in English Harbor, she decided to transition into the yachting industry.

Third Stewardess // Lidia Ackerman:
Lidia crew up in the beautiful city of Cape Town, South-Africa. She is part of a big family and is one of a twin, who is interestingly also part of the yachting industry. Her passion for water and diving fueled her change in career from once owning her own handmade jewelry company she transferred her customer service skills over to the yachting industry. In her spare time she enjoys being active and likes outdoor activities like, hiking, swimming, diving and snorkeling. Lidia loves to exercise and dance with salsa and cha-cha being her favorite types. Lidia is hardworking and always ensures guests onboard have a memorable trip.

Fourth Stewardess // Alejandra Cox:
Alejandra is a Galapagos islander, with a childhood surrounded by giant tortoises and adventurous sailing boats in her hometown harbor. Her passion for adventure and sailing started when joining her naturalist guide father onboard tourism expeditions around the Galapagos, here she developed a love for nature and wildlife as well as the protection of it. Alejandra studied advertising and graduated with a thesis in visual arts. She worked in the digital department for several agencies in mainland Ecuador. In addition, she has also taken several photography courses, which she likes to combine with her travels. Alejandra is an inspiration for young girls in Galapagos, encouraging them to travel and achieve their dreams.

Rotational Chef // Gjorgi Mitev:
Chef Gjorgi was born and raised in Macedonia where his passion for all thing’s food began. He studied Food Science and Technology, apprenticed in some of Macedonia’s finest hotels after which he opened his own restaurant at the young age of 20. He then moved to St. Maarten where he met his wife and had a baby. During his time in St. Maarten, after being exposed to the industry and having a brother who was already working on yachts, Gjorgi began his career as a yacht chef. During his 9-year yachting career, he has continuously explored various cuisines while working alongside some amazing chefs in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Chef Gjorgi has served elite clientele both on land and on luxury sailing and motor yachts. He looks forward to stimulating guest’s palate with cuisine from all over the world. To see more of his work, look up Gjorgi on Instagram, @chef_gjorgi.

Rotational Chef // Daniel Harvey:
Daniel began his career in his home town of Auckland, after attending culinary school. He has worked in some of New Zealand’s most iconic restaurants. He later moved to London where he took the position of Senior Sous Chef at one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants, and it was there where he met his wife. While looking for a new challenge and source of inspiration, he found it in the yachting industry. He is passionate about sourcing fresh products and combining them to create top quality dishes; and is constantly on the lookout for new ideas that can be incorporate into his menus. Dan loves to travel and experience new cultures and cuisines. He recently welcomed a daughter so when he is not working, he enjoys spending time with family, between Italy, where he currently resides, and New Zealand.

Chief Engineer // Theo Smit:
Theo was born and raised surrounded by the breathtaking natural scenery that is Cape Town, South Africa. His strong love for the outdoors landed him a position as an adventure tour guide throughout the whole of Africa, showing tourists everything from the Namib Desert to Zambia’s Victoria Falls. In 2009 Theo embarked on a new adventure on the sea and his engineering and travel skills married happily with his transition to the world of yachting. Theo has been trained by a number of the best engineers the industry has to offer and recently achieved his Chief Engineer (Y3) License. When he isn’t working (which is rare!) you can find him exploring the outdoors, hiking, watching sports and spending time with his family in South Africa.

Second Engineer //: Micah Stam:
Micah was born and raised on a farm in Canada and has mostly Dutch and German descent. He worked as a yard laborer, truss builder, and mechanic during high school. He then studied Marine Engineering Technology for three years and obtained certification and an advanced College diploma. He worked for five years as a licensed engineer onboard freighters on the Great Lakes. During this time he also worked on a tall ship cruising the Caribbean. In 2019 he started working on Yachts, and has been working around the world. He enjoys running in different places around the world and playing hockey when he is home in Canada.