Meet Rob - Yamaha Oceania Technician Grand Prix Finalist

2026 Yamaha Oceania Technician Grand Prix Finalist

Originally from Cornwall in the UK, Rob Luffingham began his marine career 25 years ago in a local boatyard, developing a passion for boats, the water and marine technology. After completing a four-year outboard apprenticeship, he built his expertise through Yamaha UK training and extensive hands-on experience across a wide range of marine products.

Now with Northside Marine, Rob continues to expand his knowledge through Yamaha technical training and working with the latest marine technology. His technical skill and commitment have earned him a place as a 2026 Yamaha Oceania Technician Grand Prix Finalist.

The Yamaha Technician Grand Prix is a technical competition that brings Yamaha marine technicians together to test their knowledge, diagnostic ability and practical skills. Reaching the Oceania Final is an opportunity for Rob to put his experience to the test alongside other Yamaha technicians from across the region.

Favourite Tool: Himself, because no tool is any good without a body and a brain that works. He never takes this for granted.

Rob enjoys getting to the root of how systems work, diagnosing the real cause of an issue and finding the right solution rather than simply replacing parts.

A strong believer in customer trust, Rob takes pride in clearly explaining technical issues and ensuring every customer understands and feels confident in their repair. For him, competing in the 2026 Oceania Technician Grand Prix is another opportunity to challenge himself, learn and continue growing as a Yamaha technician.

And when he’s not solving problems in the workshop? Rob runs to work every day and jokes that if he wasn’t a marine technician, he’d choose “something less mentally demanding... like a neurosurgeon.”