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British Virgin Islands - 2016, Session 1

Staff Update Day 1

Location: West End, Tortola

We have been waiting nine months but the time is finally here for all the ActionQuest team to come together and find our home away from home. Ruth, Alex and Shona have been preparing Sambamba and getting very excited for the arrival of our 11 shipmates and to welcome them into our ActionQuest family. Shona has been stocking the boat with lots of delicious food and snacks for the trip ahead while Alex has been giving the final checks to all of our dive equipment while planning a diverse array of dives. Ruth has been giving the final checks to Sambamba and all of our water ski and wakeboard equipment. They are all so excited to share their past experiences and knowledge with the shipmates. From all the crew- we can't wait for you to get here and have the best summer of your life! See you all soon!
Here is an introduction to the crew of Sambamba:
Ruth: Skipper
Ruth grew up in Chester, England. She has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London, and began her career working as an engineer on oil-rigs in Africa, Europe and the Middle East where she found her passion for a life of adventure out at sea.  Ruth went on to pursue her dream of becoming a Captain by gaining her MCA Yachtmaster and PADI Divemaster. She is now also an RYA Cruising Instructor and Powerboat Instructor, and teaches sailing year-round to people from all walks of life as well as skippering boats. When not sailing or diving, she spends her time on the water, surfing and kite-surfing or in the mountains teaching snowboarding. She has traveled all over the world and hopes to, one day, complete sailing around it too.
Alex: Dive Instructor/Mate
Over the past six years Alex has become deeply involved with every water sport imaginable. His biggest hobby currently is diving for dinosaur bones and colonial artifacts in the immense river system of his hometown, Charleston, SC. Alex is currently enrolled at Clemson University and studies Financial Management. He believes that Clemson football is #1 and next season will be the year that they take the National Championship trophy from Alabama. Alex is truly ecstatic about teaching diving this summer and can't wait to share his knowledge and love of the water with everyone!
Shona: Mate
Shona is returning for her second year with ActionQuest and is super excited to spend another summer in the beautiful sunny Caribbean. She graduated in 2013 after studying outdoor education and geography on the west coast of Ireland. From a young age she has loved to sail and spent as much time as possible in the water and exploring. Shona also has a keen interest in drama and spent a year studying performing arts. Her love for adventure sports took a new direction when she moved to Switzerland after university and discovered snowboarding, and over the past three years she has split her time between the mountains and ocean. Shona has a great love for the outdoors and the benefits that can come from experiential education. Her goal is to inspire and educate her students in a fun safe learning environment.