Introducing our Senior Training Skipper, Dan Bodey

A familiar face to the Clipper Race, Dan Bodey has returned to take on the role of Senior Training Skipper, leading on the delivery and development of our world-class training programme.  

Dan joined the Clipper Race as a crew member before going on to become a First Mate and progressing to the role of Race Skipper, leading Team UNICEF in the 23-24 edition. Most recently, Dan stepped into the role of Skipper on Team Qingdao, sailing from Washington, DC through to Race Finish in Portsmouth, where his team won the last stage from Oban. 

Image: Dan with his Qingdao team on Stage 13 of the Clipper 2025-26 Race

To his new role that is based at our Training HQ, Dan brings with him a wealth of experience, not only from his time with the Clipper Race but also from a broader professional sailing career. Just as importantly, he has a genuine passion for developing people and understands first-hand the journey our crew undertake—from complete novice to confident ocean racer. 

Dan will lead the delivery and continued development of our training programme, ensuring we maintain the exceptionally high standards for which Clipper Training is known. He will work closely with the training team to continue evolving our courses, supporting our instructors, and delivering an outstanding experience for every crew member who joins us. 

Image: Dan on board his Team UNICEF yacht, Clipper 2019-20 Race

We caught up with Dan down at our Training HQ to hear how his new role was going.  

Dan, you’re back! What was it that made you head back to the Clipper Race to take on this role?  

I am! I just can't get away from the Clipper Race, it seems. It’s exciting to be here and to be able to lend my knowledge and experience to upcoming Race Crew, and soon to the new group of skippers and mates coming through the door.  

Doing the Clipper Race changed my life, and I remember how much I learnt from my skipper when I trained as crew. The race is a great thing, and it facilitates a lot of people's entry into sailing. I really want other people to get the best experience they can out of it. By making sure that the training is as good as we can possibly make it, that lends into that overall experience. Making our Race Crew as ready as they can be before they start racing ultimately gives them the best chance of having a good trip and getting the most they can out of the race. 

Image: Race Crew on Level 4 training

As Senior Training Skipper, what exactly will your role entail?  

I'll be integrating with the existing team and mainly focussing on our training instructors and the training courses and making sure that they stay consistent and up to the high standard that is expected of the Clipper Race Training Centre. It will also involve enacting any changes to the programmes that are needed when the new RX yachts are commissioned.  

At what points will Race Crew get to see you throughout their training programme?  

Hopefully they will see the fruits from my labour, but they will also get a chance to have a chat with me in the training office when each of the courses start. I'll be working with them right up until the start of the race – and I'll also be out on the water occasionally with the skippers and mates taking courses as well.  

How will you be involved in the recruitment of the next phase of skipper and first mates?  

I'll be joining Hannah, our Deputy Race Director on the skipper and first mate trials, putting our combined knowledge and experience together to select the best candidates for the role.  

Image: Dan Bodey as Skipper, Clipper 2023-24 Race

What's first on the agenda, where are crew going to see that Dan Bodey stamp on their training experience?  

There won't be many changes this side of this season, because we're so near the end of it, but they'll really come into effect in the next season (February 2027).  

Once the season ends, I'll be working through our feedback to make sure the courses we're providing is focussed on what our Race Crew want to get out of them. Feedback is always useful as that's what helps us to improve the courses and know if we're hitting the marker. 

And you’ve done it all with the Clipper Race – from Race Crew to Skipper – how are you going to use your experience in this role?  

I think the complete experience that I've had lends a lot to this role. I understand what it's like to be on the receiving end of the training course, but also on the side that's giving the course, too. Understanding the two sides really enables me to help both professional sailing staff and Race Crew get the most they can out of the course. 

 Image: Dan on the helm as Race Crew - Punta to Cape Town on the 2019-20 edition

A big welcome to the team, Dan, and if you’re joining us for your training soon, be sure to say hi! If you want to find out more about our training, and signing up for a future edition, you can find out more here.