Staff Update Day 1
Location: West End, Tortola
It hasn't been quiet for long on the AQ dock, as we prepare to welcome our new shipmates! Our yacht, the 54' monohull Sailing Curls, has already proven herself to be an amazing vessel and we are looking forward to seeing how she sails in the races to come with our new shipmates at the helm and winches. Besides sailing qualifications, our shipmates will be learning to dive, dinghy sail, waterski, and of course have a lot of fun! Kelly, Casey, and I know this will be a great trip and are extremely excited for it to begin.
Here is an introduction to the staff of Sailing Curls:
Simon- skipper
Simon was born in Scotland, and since leaving the UK has lived in Honduras, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere around, above, and below the Pacific Ocean. His attraction to water is understandable due to his rainy upbringing, and the gravitation to sunny climes is therefore just as predictable. Simon loves traveling and diving and has been fortunate enough to have spent over a decade in a career that allows him to do both. He holds certifications as an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore 200t, PADI Master Instructor (training dive professionals since 2005), CPR/First Aid Instructor Trainer, Cave and Technical Diver, as well as a bachelor’s degree from the University of Glasgow in Molecular Biology. Since first joining ActionQuest in the summer of 2013 as a dive instructor, Simon has logged over 25,000 miles at sea and is excited to rejoin the team this year in the additional role of skipper. In the same period he has still managed to run around 2,500 miles (on land) and hopes to complete his first marathon in New York later this year.
Kelly- dive instructor/mate
Kelly grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and began scuba diving while attending the University of Arkansas. She sailed with our college program Seamester in the fall of 2012, afterwards completing her IYT Master of Yachts 200 ton, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, and B.A in Communications. Kelly joined the ActionQuest team in the Sarasota office in 2013 and loves sharing her experience with incoming and future shipmates. When not in the islands she spends her time at the dog beach with her black lab Maggie, and is the starting catcher for her kickball team.
Casey- WFR/mate