My name is Tharuka. Friends call me Ruks or Ruki. :)
From Graz, Austria, born and raised there, I work as a self-employed Skipper and Media Designer. Speaking English and German fluently, some French, very basic Spanish and currently learning Croatian.
I had my first experience sailing on a lake in Austria as a teenager years ago and fell in love with sailing. But it took a couple more years until I was able to fulfil my ambition of becoming a sailor.
Currently I have the Austrian Yachtmaster Offshore license (BFA FB3), the Croatian Skipper license B, the German SBF See und Binnen (Sail + Motor), the German LRC radio license and the MCA STCW10 certificate (and I'm planning to acquire the German Yachtmaster Offshore "Sportseeschifferschein" and the British/RYA Yachtmaster Offshore in the near future). I spend as much time as possible on the water (mainly the Adriatic, along the Croatian coast and around its islands, but generally in the whole Mediterranean Sea, such as the Greek, Italian and Spanish waters, and the Atlantic) also partaking in regattas (both inshore and offshore) whenever possible.
I work as a professional skipper since 2015,
- have logged over 24.000+ nm in that time (one Atlantic crossing so far)
- on more than 60 different types of sailing yachts from 18' to 60',
- monohulls (common charter yachts, long keel classics, modern performance yachts and small racers),
- catamarans (from 38' to 56')
- and trimarans (Dragonfly 28, Neel 47),
- working as a for-hire holiday skipper (solo and flotilla, also as lead skipper),
- instructor (instructing sailing with crew, short-handed, double-handed and single-handed, offshore and inshore, adults and kids from age 3 to teens)
- and during regattas (fully crewed, double-handed, Austrian National League, ...).
- I undertake professional yacht deliveries and also work as skipper/personal sail instructor/engineer/navigator/consultant for yacht owners on their own vessel.

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I am friendly and very open-minded, I think about various things a lot, and I love discussing different viewpoints with other people, learning new perspectives. Sometimes I can be sarcastic and a cynic, but I think I am humourous and, all in all, rather fun to be around with. I like socialising but I know how important time for oneself is and so I also cherish that moment by myself every now and then. I'm almost always in a very good mood and perform very well in teams, regardless of my position: I can lead but certainly know to step in the background if required.
Generally I'm optimistic (everything will turn out fine), and at the same time nihilistic (there isn't much sense, purpose or reason in life, except that which you define for yourself), but I don't feel that this is a contradiction. I am very patient, calm, solution-oriented and will do all my work with highest dedication and with a smile.

When not working on yachts I'm a self-employed Media Designer, interested in User Experience and Interface Design, thus very much interested in behavioural psychology, but I also have a background in 3D modelling and animation - I've done a couple of projects - and really like moving images, videography/cinematography. I like photographing and/or filming and recently started flying drones which is especially fun (and challenging!) when sailing.

I'm interested in people, friends and friendships, good conversations, good food, design, arts, good music (Rock!), computers & technology, traveling, sailing, hiking, philosophy, sciences, movies, stories, ... probably a thousand more...
I love to cook, sometimes I enjoy reading and writing, and music is also a very important part of my life, though I have only started learning the guitar.

I'm passionate about sailing, but I like to try out almost anything, therefore I've tried (and still do every now and then): Running, Cycling, Hockey, Floorball, Soccer, Basketball, Karate, Airgun shooting, Archery, Fencing, Scuba diving, HIIT, Yoga, Windsurfing, Bouldering, Rock climbing,... but haven't found another sport I'm passionate about yet.

In summer I'm usually working in Europe. Generally, I'm open to any assignment worldwide at any time now or in the future. Usually my assignments last 1 to 4 weeks at a time. But under the right circumstances I'm happy and willing to take on a longer assignment.

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Sailing became one of my biggest passions, I spend several months a year working as a skipper (mostly in the Mediterranean, but also other areas such as the Caribbean), enjoying the sea and the wind. It made me turn to a minimalist kind of life too, and nature, sustainability and the environment, especially the ocean, became very important to me. I like to pass on this love for the sea and the environment but also the lifestyle and how life at sea can change people's minds. That's why I am also volunteering as a skipper at the Mirno More peace fleet, enabling children and people with disabilities to an experience they may never would have had an opportunity for otherwise. I love teaching kids (but also adults) to sail.
Generally I just enjoy the life on the water, the challenges (technical, social, and physical). And safety on the water is one of my top priorities.