A New Breeze at Channel Sailing

A New Breeze at Channel Sailing: Laurent Verbeeck Takes the Helm

It is with great pride that I, Laurent Verbeeck, announce that I took the helm of Channel Sailing last summer, succeeding Piet Lescrauwaet. I want to sincerely thank Piet and everyone who has built Channel Sailing over the years. Thanks to their dedication and passion, Channel Sailing stands strong today, and it is an honor to continue this wonderful company’s legacy.

My story begins in April 1984, when I was born into a family of sailing enthusiasts. Water has always been at the center of my life; I started sailing with my grandparents and my mother from a very young age. From sailing trips, summer camps on optimists and windsurfing boards, to buying our first family catamaran at the age of 11—it quickly became clear that sailing was my passion and future.

At 18, I had the chance to make my dream come true. I moved from Antwerp to Knokke and worked for over a decade at the Royal Belgian Sailing Club (RBSC), where I gave catamaran training courses. My passion became my profession. Today, I share this love for water sports with my daughter Elise, and together with my wife Clara, we spend much of our family time on the beach, in the waves, or out at sea.

In recent years, I have specialized in catamarans: from sales and maintenance to repairs and recovery. In 2017, we took over the Australian catamaran brand Goodall Design and brought it to Belgium. In 2020, we added a sailing and surf shop on the Knokke promenade. Expanding into yacht sailing is a logical step and a dream come true with Channel Sailing.

I am confident that the future of Channel Sailing is bright. With a fresh breeze and a steady course, we hope to share many sailing adventures with you all.

Thank you for your trust, and here’s to a bright future for sailing!