Meet the Crew: Captain Janke Kingma – A True Force of Nature at Sea
Janke Kingma is not just one of Bark EUROPA’s captains, she is a skilled sailor, a strong leader, and an adventurer at heart.
Born in the southern part of Fryslân and now calling Groningen home, Janke has spent her life on the water. Raised aboard her parents’ sailing ship, Aphrodite, she learned the art of sailing while exploring the Baltic Sea as a child.
After obtaining her captain’s papers from the Enkhuizer Maritime Academy, Janke briefly stepped away from the sea to study history, but the pull of the ocean was too strong. As she puts it:
"If I’ve been on land for too long, I feel a restlessness, and I have to get back on the water. Out there, you're at the mercy of the weather and the elements, working with them to get from point A to point B. On land, you can check your phone every three seconds for information, but at sea, it’s just you, the stars, and the wind."
Her journey with Bark EUROPA began in 2016 as Chief Mate, and her exceptional skill, dedication, and natural leadership quickly led her to the role of Captain. She now plays an essential role not only at the helm but also in EUROPA’s operations, contributing to legislation, certification, and audits.
In 2024, she led Bark EUROPA on one of its most challenging and celebrated achievements—a successful Cape Horn rounding under sail, without the use of engines.
Rounding Cape Horn
Cape Horn is one of the most legendary and feared sailing routes in the world. Located at the southern tip of South America, it marks the meeting point of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans—where strong currents, towering waves, and unpredictable storms create some of the most challenging sailing conditions on Earth.
Historically, Cape Horn was a crucial passage for trade ships connecting the Atlantic and Pacific, but it was also one of the most treacherous routes. Countless sailors risked their lives navigating these waters, and to this day, a successful Cape Horn rounding under sail remains a major achievement.
In October 2024, Captain Janke and her crew completed this journey without using engines, earning official recognition from the Dutch Cape Horners Foundation (Stichting Kaap Hoornvaarders). Soon, she will return to the Netherlands to receive her Cape Horn medal.
Interview with Captain Janke Kingma
Where and when did you learn to sail?
"I learned to sail throughout my life. I grew up on a Dutch flat-bottom boat. My parents had the same profession, and they've always owned ships. Basically, I’ve been doing this all my life, and then you learn how to sail automatically."
How did you become a captain of Bark EUROPA?
"In 2016, I joined Europa as a mate to see if there was a good fit. After sailing for about 2 years, the position of captain became available, and I started working in that role."
Do you work full-time as a captain?
"Yes, even when I'm not on board, I still work for the company, attend conferences, make decisions about voyages and safety, and handle various other tasks. There's always something happening, including maintenance periods. It's a full-time job!"
Would you describe yourself as an adventurer?
"I love being at home with loved ones, but even there, I seek out new adventures, whether it's sailing to Antarctica or exploring a nearby small forest, as we don't have big forests in The Netherlands. Adventures come in all sizes, and I like to go on them! I feel like an adventurer; it is a nice word."
How do you approach leadership on board?
"Leading a tall ship across the world’s most remote waters takes skill, resilience, and a steady hand. I have faced moments where people assumed someone else was in charge, but I approach these situations with confidence and humor. I prefer to keep a positive and easy-going attitude."
Are there more males or females in the EUROPA crew?
"On EUROPA, we have almost a 50/50 split between female and male deckhand crew, bosuns, and officers. We've had this balance for quite some years now."
Finding Balance: Janke’s Yoga Practice at Sea
Beyond her role as captain, Janke is also passionate about yoga, using it to stay focused, flexible, and calm while sailing some of the world’s toughest waters.
How do you manage to balance the responsibilities of being a captain and a yoga instructor?
"I only practice yoga for myself at the moment. Maybe in the future, I would like to teach yoga, but then I would have to be home regularly. And while being a captain, I already have to instruct people a lot, so when I’m off the ship, I do feel more like following instructions a bit. At least in that part of my life."
How do you find time to continue your yoga practice while on board?
"That is a hard one. The last years I mainly sailed to Antarctica. The watch system does not always allow for time to do a real long practice. Sometimes it is already hard to stay laying in your bunk or sit on a bench. In those situations, doing proper yoga is not really possible. Then I try to meditate or take a moment to focus on my breathing."
What’s Next? Sailing from Cape to Cape
Before returning home to receive her Cape Horn medal, Janke will lead Bark EUROPA on another legendary voyage—the Cape to Cape expedition from Ushuaia to Cape Town. This Southern Ocean crossing will take the ship past remote sub-Antarctic islands, through some of the most untamed waters on Earth, and into true wilderness, where nature reigns supreme.
A Well-Deserved Honor & A New Challenge
After a maintenance period in Namibia, Janke will finally return to the Netherlands to receive her Cape Horn medal. But before taking a well-earned rest, she has set her sights on another challenge, running a marathon!
From sailing the world’s roughest oceans to pushing her endurance on land, Janke proves time and time again that adventure is what you make it.
Fair winds and strong legs for the marathon, Captain.