Piratas do Amor: Our Story and Vision
Founded in 2018 in Brazil by Raissa Teles and Christof Brockhoff, Piratas do Amor began on a 33-foot sailboat and a desire to live differently. Four years of life at sea became a living experiment in regenerative living, community life, and reconnection to nature. Along the way, we welcomed many people on board and witnessed the ocean’s profound power to inspire transformation and personal growth. To deepen their mission, Raissa and Christof trained at the Enkhuizer Zeevaartschool in the Netherlands, mastering traditional seamanship to carry their work further.
What started as two people on a small ship has since grown into a loose collective of sailors, artists, facilitators, and entrepreneurs. We see the ocean as our teacher and sailing ships as living classrooms for cultivating essential human values such as self-responsibility, resilience, humility, and playfulness. These are qualities the world needs now more than ever, and they are anchored in our Pirate Code, a shared compass that guides how we live, work, and play together.
We bring this vision to life by organizing our own signature sailing expeditions and collaborating with partner vessels around the world. We support them in shaping their missions, curating soulful voyages, and cultivating strong crew cultures.
"In terms of spaceship Earth, the wrong crew is in command, and it’s time for a mutiny."
"Piratas do Amor are liberated souls, strong in spirit, and captains of their own destinies. For me, a 'pirate' is epitomized by the two beautiful humans, Raissa and Christof, as they navigate the seas. 'Do Amor' signifies their life philosophy grounded in the abundant love that surrounds us. An abundance often overlooked, unheard, and unfelt. Sailing amidst authentic souls, adrift with an endless horizon, submitting to nature's command is, to me, the journey back to our genuine human essence."
Ellyn, The Netherlands, 2023
The Crew
Raissa Teles
São Paulo-born Raíssa, a business graduate, found her home, temple, and teacher in the ocean. With over a decade of experience as a facilitator and mentor, she guides individuals and groups towards self-mastery, conscious relationships, and rediscovering innate gifts. As a qualified first mate for tall ships, Raíssa seamlessly integrates sailing expertise and love for the ocean into the profound journey of personal development.
Christof Brockhoff
Christof was born in the Principality of Liechtenstein, one of the world’s smallest countries. He left university to co-found the Ideenkanal Foundation, a leading incubator for social enterprises in the Alps. Beyond the mountains, he’s a certified tallship mate, group facilitator, and concept artist who loves rowing and fishing and is inspired by regenerative living, indigenous wisdom, conscious sexuality, and plant medicine.