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British Virgin Islands - 2018, Session 2

Staff Update Day 1

Location: West End, Tortola

High in the Breeze is excited to welcome her second group of summer 2018 students! The staff have been spending the last couple days preparing for this moment, and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our twelve new shipmates. We have stocked the boat with dry food, fresh food, PADI open water diving manuals, IYT sailing books, waterski gear, medical supplies, cleaning supplies and everything else necessary to run an awesome trip- now we just need the crew! Our shipmates are from New York, California, Florida, Washington, North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Maryland, and are all part of the Vega (intro to sailing and diving) program. We can’t wait to go on our first sail and snorkel tomorrow, and for all the adventures to come! For additional updates during the trip, follow ActionQuest on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat!

Here is an introduction to the crew of High in the Breeze:

Cooper- Skipper

Cooper was born in Seattle, Washington where he learned how to sail when he was eight years old. He went on to become a sailing instructor at the Seattle Yacht Club where he taught small boat sailing and skills. Cooper was a student on a Seamester trip in 2014 on which he earned his Yachtmaster 200ton license. He has worked aboard yachts privately as well as on both Seamester vessels the past two summers.

Ethan- Dive Instructor/Mate

Ethan has been a part of ActionQuest since the age of 14, falling instantly in love with the program. He is very passionate about diving and sailing and obtained most of his certifications through the ActionQuest program. He is a certified Open Water Scuba Instructor and CPR/First Aid Trainer. When he is not diving or sailing he is focusing on his studies to become a registered nurse at Fairfield University or playing video games with his younger brother, Evan.

Anna- Mate/EMT

Anna grew up in landlocked Western Massachusetts and discovered her love for the sea when she became an ActionQuest student at age 16. After two summers as a shipmate and a year of high school aboard S/Y Ocean Star, she joined the ActionQuest staff in 2000. In college at the University of Vermont Anna volunteered as an EMT on a local ambulance while earning degrees in psychology and sociology. Since graduating in 2004 she has worked on tall ships, at a kid’s toy store, and at several desk jobs, but always finds herself returning each summer to the BVI to manage one of the ActionQuest fleets, as well as the trip update system, medical team, ship’s stores, and provisioning. During the summer you are most likely to find her behind the camera or scribbling on index cards, but always while wearing her PFD! During the rest of the year, Anna lives in Washington, DC, where she spends her free time volunteering with a dog rescue organization, hanging out with her niece and nephews, and attempting to become someone who enjoys running.