About Us
About Super Yachting South Africa Deckhand Division
Super Yachting South Africa’s Deckhand Training Division was created in 2008 by experienced Captain and SYSA co-founder, Jason Hunter and has grown to become one of the global leaders in superyacht training and the Academy holds Royal Yachting Association (RYA) accreditation.
The experience amongst SYSA’s current team of instructors has never been at a higher and more dedicated level. Our team of instructors emanate from global experience and nationalities, with the highest-ranking maritime qualifications.
The intent to prepare our students for their career ahead as well as mentor them over the next few years is both well established and at the very centre of SYSA’s operation and founding principles.
We never compromise on the equipment, boats, jet-skis and motor yachts used for training. SYSA guarantees a commitment to excellence in training, mentorship and the necessary resources required to begin your journey into the world of super yachting.
Our Deck Team
The SYSA senior crew are all former yachting professionals. We each take great pride in empowering our students with the knowledge we have gained from working in the super yachting industry and mentor them through every part of the process.
Jason Hunter
Founder
Jason, founder of Super yachting South Africa, started the company in 2008 after a successful career spanning 9 years on Superyachts, ending his time on board as a first officer. Jason has extensive experience in the world of super yachting and is incredibly passionate about the skills-development and growth of the students that join the academy. “I started this company with the goal of providing the best possible experience based training geared at turning out productive, professional and hardworking crew for our industry”. Jason resides in Cape Town and is planning on the expansion of SYSA into international waters during the course of 2021.
RYA Yachtmaster power 200gt instructor
RYA Powerboat trainer
RYA PW/jet ski trainer
RYA Advanced powerboat instructor
RYA Vhf radio instructor and assessor
RYA Radar instructor
RYA Shore-based theory instructor
Developed and implemented the first deckhand training course worldwide
Matti Buys
Senior Instructor
Matti’s notable accolades throughout his career include 8x South African National Wakeskate Champion and 3rd place at 2014 IWWF World Championships. “I have been fortunate to let my passion for the water run my life and career in every way possible for the past 16 years”.
At the age of 14, Matti was introduced to the sport of wakeskating and due to the surroundings of a team of supportive people and spending endless hours on the water, he was able to pursue a career in the sport. For a period of time, Matti was given the opportunity to run all the watersports activities at the Wild Coast Sun and Umtamvuna River Lodge on the South Coast of Kwazulu Natal. While doing this, still pursuing his career in wakeskating and projects with brands such as Red Bull and O’Neill, he also created independent projects that allowed him to travel to 26 States within the USA.
In 2019, Matti joined the SYSA family where he is a key asset for us, sharing his watersports and boating knowledge accumulated over the past few years.
RYA Powerboat trainer
RYA PW/jet ski trainer
RYA Advanced powerboat instructor
RYA Vhf radio instructor and assessor
RYA Radar instructor
RYA Shore-based theory instructor
