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British Virgin Islands - 2016, Session 3

Staff Update Day 1

Location: West End, Tortola

The crew of Calypso is ready for a fantastic 17 days of fun in the sun with all of the students. Andy and Ashley are so excited to teach PADI open water divers in the beautiful blue of the Caribbean and show them the underwater world. Griffin cannot wait to make everyone proper sailors and get them their IYT crew certifications. We are excited to teach the shipmates everything they need to know about running the boat, like using the VHF, cooking in the galley, and raising sails! The boat is ready to go with everything we need for an amazing session. Keep a look out for our crush count (turtle count) throughout the session on our future blogs!

Here is an introduction to the crew of Calypso:

Griffin- skipper

Born and raised in Nebraska, Griffin was not accustomed to the water until attending a camp in northern Minnesota at the age of eight. This is where he learned to sail and fell in love with the adventure and beauty of the water. The fall after graduating high school, he turned down acceptance to many universities to follow his dreams of sailing with Seamester.  After completing the program he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he earned his RYA Yachtmaster 200 ton. After spending a year in sailing yacht industry he moved back to Nebraska to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he could be close to his family and study for an International Business major with a minor in Spanish.  Griffin is a passionate sportsman who enjoys hunting, tennis, and golf.

Ashley- dive instructor/mate

Ashley was born and raised on the coast of New Jersey, where her passion for the sea first blossomed. During her sophomore year at Roger Williams in Rhode Island she studied abroad with Sea|mester, where she sailed from the BVI to Tahiti on Argo. After graduating with a degree in marine biology she worked onboard New Jersey's official tall ship A. J. Meerwald, and has most recently spent time on Ocean Star during her refit period in Antigua. Her favorite animal is the sea turtle and she can't wait to be in the BVI and diving with them again!

Andy- dive instructor/mate

Andy started traveling 6 years ago and realised his dream of living and working among different cultures as an Expedition Leader and Open Water Scuba Instructor.  After travelling to the Americas he's found a real passion in Spanish culture and herbal medicines. He loves food and is often found with a (much too large) veggie dish in front of him listening to music or watching the footie with friends.