Our training is conducted by instructors with collective over 50 years’ specialized super yachting industry Steward/ess experience (not sailing yachts, Cruise Ships or Catamarans, as those are vastly different industries).
Isobel Odendaal
Isobel’s almost 35-year hospitality career started in 1990 working in fine dining Restaurants and gaining extensive experience as a Waiter, Restaurant Manager, Hostess all through school and university and Hotel Manager of several upmarket Boutique Hotels and villas in South Africa and USA.
Her passion for service and hospitality led to a 10-year career in the super yacht industry working her way up from Stewardess, Chief Stewardess, Medical Officer and then Purser on private and charter yachts up to 90 meters.
Isobel has done extensive Maritime and Hospitality training, including WSET Level III and numerous Advanced Wine Diplomas, Advanced STCW Medical training, Level II Food Health and Safety, Professional Guesthouse Management Diploma, Professional Barista and Cocktail Training, various accounting programmes, ISPS and ISM training, and successfully starting a Training School in her home country, South Africa, early 2008 after leaving the yachting industry.
She co-owns the school, Super Yachting South Africa, one of the first schools in the world to be approved to teach the GUEST Steward/ess Programme (SYSA has recently decided to leave the programme) with Isobel, the Principal of the SYSA Steward/ess programme.
Isobel Odendaal writes a monthly column about Steward/ess tips and learning material on OnBoardOnline – check it out on www.onboardonline.com She also writes regularly for various professional yachting publications.
Her extremely popular Facebook group was chosen twice as “The Most Popular Group to Follow for Yachties”- by an internationally acclaimed yachting publication!
The Facebook group, Yacht Stewardess and Steward Tips, has been voted the most popular and useful group by yachting publications several times and has 19 000 Steward/esses in the group who ask for support, advice and guidance.
Isobel Odendaal is highly regarded as one of THE Steward/ess experts in the industry, and on several occasions formed part of a team of expert judges at the Monaco Boat Show’s Table Setting Competition, or on international yachting discussion panels, as well as authors many Steward/ess articles for yachting publications each year.
Tiffany Ché Rheeder
Tiffany graduated as a SYSA Stewardess student in 2011 and began her yachting career in Cannes, France. Over the next decade, she advanced through various roles on a variety of high-profile yachts, eventually progressing to the position of Chief Stewardess. Throughout her yachting career, she developed a deep love for the meticulous attention to detail, organization and high standards of service required on board luxury yachts.
Her experience as Chief Stewardess gave her an in-depth understanding of professionally and efficiently managing the interior operations of a super yacht. Her passion for providing exceptional service to high-net-worth individuals was reflected in her continuous efforts to ensure that every trip was geared towards making every guest’s wish come true. She honed her skills in interior management, guest relations, table settings and event planning during multiple seasons around the world.
Having travelled to over 50 countries and worked in some of the world’s most prestigious yachting destinations, she brings a wealth of global knowledge and cultural insight to her teaching. After her final season in 2023, she transitioned into the role of course instructor at SYSA, combining her extensive yachting experience with her academic background in Education and Visual Communication.
As an instructor, Tiffany is dedicated to helping aspiring yachties achieve their career goals. She offers practical, hands-on insights into the yachting lifestyle, including tips for managing service under pressure and mastering the essential skills across all three departments: service, housekeeping and laundry. Her guidance and enthusiasm help students navigate and thrive in this competitive industry.
Her goal, like everyone at SYSA, is to empower the next generation of yacht crew with the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to succeed on board, sharing her passion for the yachting world while helping others pursue their dreams in this exciting industry.
