Meet NauticEd Instructor Robert Frigault
“Sailing checks all the boxes: physical, mental, and spiritual.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My ties to being on the water run deep. From an ancestor who sailed from Normandy to New France in 1760 to my grandfather who ran fishing charters on New Brunswick’s Bay of Chaleur, where I experienced the wonders of being offshore. My own sailing adventure began almost 30 years ago racing on Lake Ontario aboard a 30-foot keelboat.
Since then, I’ve taken the helm of 40+ sailboats from 5 to 15 meters, logging 5,000+ nautical miles through racing, cruising, and deliveries on both the East and West Coast. My decades of working in tech has sharpened my ability to solve problems, adapt quickly, and stay calm when conditions change.
As an instructor, I’m passionate about sharing both the skills and the experience of sailing—helping students develop the confidence, judgment, and practical skills to take the helm, adapt to changing conditions, and enjoy the freedom and adventure of being on the water.
Favorite Type of Boating?
Sailing.
What’s your “style” of boating?
Adventure (new destinations & experiences).
Favorite “type” of boating?
Deep Blue and Beyond.
What got you into Boating?
I was recruited for a sailboat racing team.
What does boating do (or has done) for you?
For me sailing checks all the boxes: Physical, mental and as soon as you turn off the engine: spiritual.
Most memorable boating experience?
Returning from a 100 mile offshore race in South Carolina after a clear night with the planets in alignment and at sunrise dolphins escorting us on our way back to port.
What are a couple of your favorite boating spots?
It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.
What’s your favorite part about teaching boating students?
Demystifying the process and instilling my passion for sailing.
What advice would you give a new student about boating? An experienced boater?
Never get on a boat with a captain that yells.
What is a random fact about yourself?
I can talk to anyone about anything, but truly interested in learning about you.
What’s on your boating ‘bucket list’?
Tahiti & French Polynesia.
