Bavastro

After a glorious session one, we, the team on Bavastro, Elise, Tanner, and Davis, are so excited to welcome the second round of shipmates onboard to begin sharing our love of the ocean with them! ActionQuest is unique because our staff training includes not only "hard skills" such as how to operate the ActionQuest dinghies, but also has a focus on how to facilitate a caring environment onboard that nurtures leadership and independence in shipmates. We are so excited to see these skills develop in the shipmates and for the Bavastro family to come together as one. Onboard Bavastro, a beautiful 51.5-foot monohull, we will have a mixture of ages and experiences that have come to partake in the Vega program.

We are looking forward to 21 days of learning, new friendships, and fantastic adventures out there on the waves of the sea!

Here's an introduction of the crew on Bavastro:

Elise: Skipper/EMT

Elise has always been drawn to the waters and the wild places of the world. From the jungles of India to the magnificent Himalayas of Nepal, to the cerulean waters of the Caribbean, Elise’s passion for nature, social justice, and human connections have led her all over the world. After graduating high school, she spent a year teaching English and ballet at a nonprofit school in Northeastern India. Elise is a certified Emergency Medical Technician, and after serving as a mate at ActionQuest for two years, she completed her 200 ton Master of Yachts Certification. In addition to sailing and diving, Elise loves trekking, traveling, yoga, and painting. Elise recently completed her second year at Bowdoin College, where she is studying Philosophy and Anthropology.

Tanner: Dive Instructor/Mate

Throughout his life, Tanner has had two major goals: to make people smile and to talk everyone’s ear off about the big blue sea. His underwater life began after getting certified in a dreary quarry outside of Chicago at age 12. Tanner joined AQ as a shipmate for the Dolphin Program and returned to complete the Divemaster Internship, cementing his desire to return as an instructor. Tanner is studying marine science and management at Eckerd College. When not under the water, Tanner is busy as an RA, a member of the Eckerd Improv Comedy Troupe, and actor in Eckerd theater productions. Tanner is more than excited to join the team this summer!

Davis Richmond: Mate

Davis was born in Lemoore, California, but grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. She attended The Island School where she learned to scuba and free dive, and did a Seamester voyage in the spring of 2018, sailing from South Africa to the Caribbean on S/Y Argo. Davis is currently studying Marine Science and Biology at the University of Miami. She spent her previous two summers teaching water sports at Camp Seafarer and is excited to join the AQ team! In her free time, Davis loves to explore and find good food. She also enjoys playing lacrosse, going on runs, drawing, and painting, and spending time outside.