Hope

Mood 70% Sunscreen, 30% Electrolytes, 100% Excitement

After miles of spreadsheets, a mild Gatorade addiction, and provisioning (the kind that should be considered a sport), Hope has never been more ready for students to come on board! Lines are tied, bilges are full, and fenders are ready - welcome aboard!

While sunscreen and Nutella may go quick, these three weeks are about more than certifications, miles on the water, or number of dives. Hope’s crew will be sharing sunrises and sunsets, crying from laughing so hard, and working together to reach common goals. What starts as strangers having a very awkward Tortellini dinner turns into lifelong friends, top-rated memories, and countless life skills learned.

Meet Hope’s staff!

Max - Skipper
Max learned to sail in the Solent and also gained experience crossing the English Channel to France. After learning to sail, Max took part in professional yacht deliveries, sailing along the European coastline from England down to Gran Canaria. He has also spent time sailing in the Mediterranean, both as a flotilla skipper and on delivery trips. Max first dived in Mexico several years ago and more recently in Bequia.

Fun facts:
- Former lumberjack (for real)
- When asked about favorite things, he claims he has no favorites and likes everything equally
- Traded Mediterranean for BVI this summer
- Has lived in 18 different places

Mackenzie - Dive Instructor
Mackenzie fell in love with scuba diving in Phuket, Thailand, and that short trip became three years spent traveling and diving around Southeast Asia. After graduating from Penn State University, she earned her instructor certification in Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia, where she taught for a year and dove with turtles daily! When she’s not teaching at ActionQuest, she works full-time for Global Expeditions Group as an enrollment advisor and prepares for the summer.

Fun facts
- Peanut butter enthusiast
- Terrified of flying
- Family placed bets she’d stay in Indonesia for 3 months; she stayed for 3 years
- D1 Penn State alum

Aria - Dive Instructor and Medic
Aria grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. While far from the ocean, she was always in the water- whether traveling, competing as a swimmer, or enjoying the land of 10,000 lakes. She first joined ActionQuest as a student in 2023; within days, she was hooked and knew she wanted to work on the team one day. Driven by this goal, Aria returned for three more amazing sessions, working up to her Divemaster. She then took things even further, heading to Key Largo to earn her Instructor Certification. She also obtained her Wilderness First Responder certification over the winter. When she’s not in the BVI, she teaches diving locally and studies at the University of Minnesota. Aria is beyond stoked to be back in the British Virgin Islands this summer. ActionQuest was a life-changing experience for her, and she can’t wait to share that with new students!

Fun Facts
- (Ex) unicyclist
- Boogie boarding enthusiast
- Will have deep talks anytime & anywhere
- AQ alum