XANDROS

Captain: Mayon Hight

Nationality: US

Mayon Sam, and Elizabeth: October 2023- January 2024

Cameron, Sam, and Jada: February - July 2024

Mayon was born in Maryland on the east coast of the USA with sailing blood passed down from his grandfather and mother. With access to a small sailboat as a kid he has many memorable “learning” experiences as a young adventurous water man in the making. He then went on to finish his childhood on the Big island of Hawaii where he truly fell in love with the ocean. After completing a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering he switched gears back to the ocean and sailed from Maryland down to the Caribbean where he started his career as a boat captain. With the sails up and underway, Mayon exudes the kind of contagious enthusiasm that will have everyone aboard excited. His calm, collected nature and willingness to share his thoughts, techniques, and plans, bring an inclusive and confident feel to the boat. You are sure to feel empowered to learn, explore, and relax while in the comfort of this kind, relaxed, true sailor.

From a young age, Elizabeth always new she was going to be a dancer. After years of hard work and dedication, she realized her dream at the age of seventeen and began dancing with the Radio City Rockettes. Over the next eight years, she kicked her way as a Rockette throughout the entirety of the US, and joined music video & television productions with the likes of Pitbull and Beyoncé. After her performing career, Elizabeth transitioned to the event planning industry, where she got to show off her natural knack for organizing and creativity. With the “mainland experience” out of her system, it was time she moved to the islands. First up -Maui! Here she worked on day charter boats where she met the love of her life, Captain Mayon. For the past three years, Elizabeth has been the chef, first mate, hostess, and ringmaster of fun for all ages. She receives rave reviews for her culinary delights, cocktails of the day & entertainment tours, all while ensuring Captain Mayon has a reliable deck hand to guarantee a safe passage. But don’t think that her strengths end there. Elizabeth exudes a tranquility to the guests that is based on her lifelong practice of yoga and meditation, allowing everyone the opportunity to absorb the soothing nature of the sea. You can’t go wrong with Elizabeth- from her attention to detail, to her carefully crafted cocktails, the sunsets will be all the sweeter knowing you are in her care.

Mayon and Elizabeth fell in love on the beaches of Maui, Hawaii as two young, adventurous, ocean lovers. Lucky enough for them both, their fist encounter was as unknown roommates who happened to move in under the same roof of a mutual friend. At first sight they knew that keeping the social norm of “don’t date your roommate” was out of the question!
Their kindred spirits attracted them together from the very first night they met, where an impromptu sunset sailing trip on Mayon’s Hobie 18’ took them well into the night. After their “love at first sight”, the duo went on countless more Maui adventures before moving aboard a Cosmos 49’ catamaran in Thailand. After sailing that boat to Sri Lanka they solidified their joint dream of running their own charter boat and started their career together as captain and hostess. Mayon and Elizabeth’s togetherness is the solid core on which their charters are built, putting their guests at ease no matter the challenge. They are passionate for the trip they deliver, cultivating a feeling of adventure and well being, that is sure to last far beyond your time in their care.

Sam Middeke comes from a tight family of 4 brothers, born and raised just outside of St.Louis MO. Sam started his culinary path at a young age, always interested in learning how things are made and what it takes to get to the end goal of a completed dish. Throughout his formative years, he picked up cooking and started to pursue a restaurant job just as soon as he was able to. Working several years in private clubs and golf courses, Sam learned the work it took to be able to make this passion a career. Meanwhile obtaining an applied science degree in culinary arts from Forrest Park in St.Louis. From there his desire to grow in this industry led him to the ever growing city of Nashville TN. There he worked and learned under admirable, acclaimed chefs leading him to eventually make a name for himself as the Executive Chef of a prominent restaurant fixture in the booming Nashville culinary scene. After 5+ years in music city, he found himself exploring a new dynamic of the hospitality industry aboard Aeolus. Sam brings years of fine dining experience and a thoughtful approach to food. Sourcing locally as often as possible allows guests to experience a fresh and authentic dining experience. His goal is to show guests a creative application to ingredients while still being approachable for guests to enjoy every bite in an elegant and balanced application. All the while serving guests in whatever way necessary to ensure their time aboard is the best experience possible.

In his free time, Sam loves to stay active. Whether it's a bike ride, hiking, or kickboxing, volleyball, soccer, or anything in the water. He also loves exploring new foods and restaurants to learn and grow his craft to contribute to whatever community he finds himself a part of. If staying inside, Sam loves to roll fresh pasta and test new ingredients and recipes, as well as reading cookbooks of various cuisines and restaurants.

Captain Mayon Hight

Qualifications
-100TON MASTERS NEAR COASTAL WITH SAILING ENDORSEMENT
-NAUI Dive Instructor
-CURRENT STCW & BRITISH RED CROSS CPR/FIRST AID TRAINING
-INTERMEDIATE SAUCIER GRADUATE FROM ASHBURTON COOKERY SCHOOL
-MECHANICAL ENGINEER GRADUATE WITH GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO TROUBLESHOOTMECHANI- CAL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
-FCC MARINE RADIO OPERATORS PERMIT
-APCA DRUG CONSORTIUM -LICENSED PRIVATE PILOT
-PROFICIENT INSTRUCTOR OF MOST ACTION SPORTS INCLUDING SURF- ING, SCUBA, SUP, WINDSURFING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, PARAGLIDING, ETC.

First Mate Elizabeth Bork

Qualifications
-ASHBURTON COOKERY SCHOOL GRADUATE: DEVON, UK
-YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED YOGA INSTRUCTOR (RYT 200)
- SPECIALIZING IN VINYASSA FLOW & SUP YOGA
-PADI OPENWATER DIVER -DANCE/FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
-7 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE EVENT & MEETING PLANNING INDUSTRY
-SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER -FOOD & SAFETY LEVEL 2
-CURRENT BRITISH RED CROSS CPR/FIRST AID TRAINING
-MASTER ORGANIZER -ENTERTAINER EXTRAORDINAIRE



Captain Cameron Channing

Qualifications
RYA YACHT MASTER 200TON SAIL & POWER
PADI DIVE INSTRUCTOR
STCW’95
GMDSS MARINE RADIO OPERATOR LICENSE
SAS SAILING INSTRUCTOR
DIESEL ENGINE MAINTENANCE COURSE
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT LICENSE (JET SKI)

Cameron grew up between the coast and the farm lands in South Africa. Having access to both of these elements ensured he grew up with a passion for both the sea and the soil. His younger years were spent with his two brothers on a family-run safari game lodge in the bush. As you might imagine being on a safari outside of a city forces you to become resourceful and teaches many life lessons from a young age. Having grown up sailing and fishing, Cameron has always loved the water and therefore decided to pursue a career in this space. Shortly after he finished school, Cameron began working as a deck hand on Super Yachts in The South of France where he learned the true meaning of “ship shape”. Although this was a great entry to the industry, Cameron saw brighter things in his future than the stainless steel on a Super Yacht. His desire to be behind the helm landed him a seasonal Captain’s position working for a large flotilla company in Croatia and Montenegro. Cameron continued to chase the summer by working as a sailing instructor and a safari guide back in South Africa once the Mediterranean season finished. It was during one of these summers in the Mediterranean where Cameron met his now fiancé, Jada. Since the initial introduction, Cameron and Jada have been inseparable and have spent the last 4 years working full time as a dynamic Captain and Chef / First Mate duo in the Caribbean.



Frist Mate Jada Dickie

Qualifications
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM MANAGEMENT DEGREE
STCW’95
QUARTERDECK HOSTESS ACADEMY
FOOD SAFETY & HYGIENE LEVEL 2
WINE & COCKTAIL TRAINING

Jada was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Jada’s first introduction to the world of hospitality was at the age of 14 where she landed a job as a cashier who sang orders at a popular burger joint. Since then, Jada has, proudly, never been unemployed and has had a variety of positions that have ultimately brought her to where she is today. Jada has worked in restaurants, retail, supermarkets, a retirement home, daycare, sports bars and most importantly, yachting. Jada has a Business Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management and she always imagined that she would be running a hotel someday. What she didn’t realise was that the hotel would be in boat form and that she would be working in destinations all around the world and experience a life she could have never imagined. Jada first entered the yachting industry working as a hostess for a large flotilla company in Croatia. Since the Mediterranean season runs in the summer months, Jada thought she had found the best summer job in the world while she was completing her degree back in Canada. Upon graduating, this fun summer job would become a full-time career alongside her fiancé Cameron.

Cameron and Jada met in Croatia in 2017 when they got paired up to work on a tandem charter. Jada tried to win Cam over with her cooking and Cam quickly won her over with his South African accent. Since the time they met they have travelled to countless destinations around the world together and have worked as a full-time charter team in The Caribbean for the last four years. Cameron and Jada have a natural ability to make their guests feel relaxed and at home while simultaneously delivering exceptional service and creating a light-hearted environment. Cameron’s knowledge of the islands is a seemingly endless vault of fun facts. He keeps everyone on board safe while still making sure everybody has fun. Jada has a knack for noticing the unnoticeable alongside her strong hospitality background ensures the ultimate guest experience. She prides herself on knowing what her guests need before they do. She has a kind and gentle temperament making her guests feel comfortable and welcome. Jada loves to curate the perfect cocktails for her guests and makes sure nobody ever goes thirsty. She is an integral part of ensuring the boat runs as a well-oiled machine. Cameron and Jada are thrilled to be your crew on Xandros and can’t wait to help create memories with each person who steps on board.


<b>Crew fully vaccinated<b/>