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British Virgin Islands - 2014, Session 2

Staff update

Location: West End, Tortola

 

Sambamba has thoroughly enjoyed the fair weather and consistent winds of session one and after some dock prep in West End by Kelli, Karl, myself and the rest of the AQ team, this fine vessel is ready to do it all again! Kelli and I sailed Sambamba together during session one, and with the addition of Karl, who is certainly no stranger to us, we are aiming to utilize our endless work ethic to prove that we are the most fun-loving and exciting boat of the fleet. We literally cannot wait to welcome another fine group of Shipmates aboard, and together we'll explore the summer of a lifetime.

Here is an introduction to the staff of Sambamba:

Martin- skipper

Martin, more commonly known as Smudge to friends and colleagues, recently became an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster(offshore) while also graduating as a Master of Science in Sports Coaching back home in the UK. Formerly a British Army mechanic and university lecturer, Smudge coaches and plays rugby union when he's not on the water. His most recent adventure was with Rubicon3.co.uk, sailing from London, England to St.Petersburg, Russia, onboard a Clipper 60 round the world racing yacht. Summer camp experience comes from two seasons with Camp Winaukee in New Hampshire and one season with over 60 different nationalities at Millfield English Language School. Completely sporting mad, he also teaches himself to surf and plays golf in his spare time. This is Smudge's first season with AQ but the second time in the BVIs, after participating in a British Army race crew at the 2009 Spring Regatta.

Karl- mate/EMT

Karl has loved the water since he was little, growing up in Annapolis, Maryland, and at a very young age, he learned to sail. He is currently enrolled as an undergraduate student studying marine biology at Eckerd College, located in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a senior in high school, Karl performed a research project on tonic immobility, which is a common reaction in most sharks, on smaller bony fish.  Taking part in a voyage with Seamester from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Karl received his ICC and PADI Rescue Diver certifications and loved the experience. He is also an EMT and volunteer firefighter in PG County, Maryland. Karl loves the water, and when given the opportunity he is more than happy to jump in and try out any activity

 

Kelli- mate/dive instructor

Kelli was born and raised on a remote island in southeast Alaska. For many summers, she crewed on commercial fishing vessels for Alaskan salmon. Yes, it was exactly like the TV show, The Deadliest Catch. In high school, Kelli instantly fell in love with sailing and scuba diving while vacationing in the BVIs. Since then, she sailed across the Atlantic Ocean with Seamester. She also spent six months in Thailand, completing her diving internship with Mermaids Dive Center. She has her USCG Master 100 Ton Inland certification and is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. Kelli likes wreck diving, Chai tea, her dog Penny and sailing around on her 25ft sailboat back home in Alaska.