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British Virgin Islands - 2019, Session 3

Staff Update Day 1

Location: West End, Tortola

Claire, Kate, and Andy are very excited to get 3rd Session underway onboard Saleya! There are three programs running with 2 Divemasters in training hoping to gain their first professional diving certification while seven shipmates work on their basic diving and sailing skills and one shipmate going for her Advanced diving certification! We can't wait to get back on the water for the final jam-packed 17 days of the summer with ten new shipmates joining us around the beautiful islands of the BVI's that we get to call home. Here's to another 17 days in paradise!

Here is an introduction to the crew on Saleya:

Claire: Skipper

Claire grew up in Houston and had her first experience sailing during her gap year on a Seamester voyage from Darwin, Australia to Cape Town, South Africa on S/Y Argo. After an amazing semester, she decided to keep sailing and ended up staying in Cape Town to complete her Yachtmaster Ocean license. Claire is currently in the engineering school at the University of Virginia and is a member of their club sailing team. She’s super excited to have the opportunity to work at AQ this summer and help create a fantastic experience for all of her students.

Andy: Dive Instructor/Mate

This will be Andy’s 4th year with ActionQuest, and he can’t wait to meet his new crew and the people who will make the summer so special. He’s spent the last several years traveling, learning different techniques, and being a part of communities in Central America. He lives five months of each year in Guatemala, being a part of his community there. He can often be found dancing, singing, meditating, practicing yoga, cooking some delicious treats, and exploring the oceans. After 2014 when he became an instructor, his love for the ocean and everything in it has grown and grown. He can’t wait to return for another AQ summer this year!

Kate: Dive Instructor/Mate

Kate grew up a competitive swimmer and scuba diver in Boston, MA. Having interned at her local dive shop after high school, she got bit by the diving bug and hasn’t looked back. Kate earned her Divemaster certification at 18, instructor certification at 20, and completed her BA in Archaeology at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. After working full-time as a scuba instructor after graduation, Kate realized how much she loves teaching and is now pursuing a Masters of Education at Boston University. She has taught scuba in New England, Ireland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as an SSI Instructor, PADI Instructor, and BSAC Assistant Instructor. Kate’s a big fan of hiking, road trips, tacos, and puns and is constantly hoping to see dolphins when she gets in the water.