Staff Update: Day 1
Location: West End, Tortola
After finishing our staff training, we have spent the last few days getting Pure Joy II ready for session #1. We’ve got the boat cleaned and all of the food and program equipment loaded on board. We are excited for our shipmates to join us and settle into their new home.
We look forward to meeting everyone and building a tight-knit crew and family over our three-week expedition.
Here is an introduction to the crew on Pure Joy:
Elle- Skipper/Dive Instructor
Participating in an ActionQuest program in 2012 inspired Elle to pursue her passion for diving and a determination to share her enthusiasm for the marine environment with others. During her gap year, she moved to Thailand and then Mauritius qualifying as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Instructor with eight specialty instructor qualifications, and is now also qualified as an Emergency First Responder Instructor. Elle recently graduated from Cardiff University with a First Class BSc in International Business Management and since leaving has earned her RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification. This will be Elle’s 3rd summer teaching with AQ, and she is excited to share her passion for diving and sailing with new people this summer. When not under the water, Elle is a keen netball player having captained the University team and has a love of dance having studied ballet to an advanced level since an early age.
Eva- Dive Instructor/Marine Scientist/Wilderness First Responder
Eva first discovered her love for SCUBA diving while studying marine biology in Tanzania. Her experience researching the coral reefs in the Indian Ocean inspired her to become a dive professional and share her love for the ocean by teaching SCUBA. When she is not diving, Eva spends her time sea kayaking, cross-country skiing, and whitewater rafting. She has worked as a science educator and wilderness instructor for four years and is a Wilderness First Responder. Eva is passionate about marine conservation and enjoys underwater photography, night diving, and identifying marine macroinvertebrates.
Nick- Dive Instructor/Mate
Nick comes from a small town in the North Island of New Zealand. When he’s not out diving, Nick works in hospitals as an Anaesthetic Technician. He has spent much of his life near the ocean and enjoys swimming at the beach, surfing, and going for a walk with family and friends. Nick is a PADI Scuba Instructor and is excited to be a part of the AQ team this summer.