Welcome to AQ!
Location: West End, Tortola
Welcome to Action Quest! The staff have been hard at work between sessions preparing the boats and getting fired up for the next group of students to board! Beds are made, food is stocked, and the flags are raised! Gintini is looking her best and ready for a fantastic session of sailing, diving, and adventure in the BVIs. Before we hand over the blogs to the writing prowess of the students, let’s meet the staff of Gintini!
Natalie Hibbert - Skipper/Dive Instructor
Natalie spent most of her time in Illinois and Wyoming until her study abroad with Seamester, sailing from Antigua to Fiji in the spring of 2021. As a student on Argo, she fell in love with diving and sailing, leading to her earning professional certifications in both after completing her degrees in Environmental Sciences. Nat has taught ecology both on and off the water in California and is excited to share her passion for and knowledge of the ocean on every dive. Out of the water, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and saying hi to any animal within reach. This will be Nat’s second summer with AQ, and she is thrilled to be spending it back in the BVI with all of you!
Brendan Tunkel - Dive Instructor
Brendan Tunkel is from Mount Airy, Maryland and will be working as a dive instructor for Action Quest this summer. Growing up, he loved sailing and the outdoors, taking trips every summer to the Adirondacks in upstate New York. He attended college at Colorado Sate and Clemson University, where he studied environmental science and marine biology. Brendan was a former student of Seamester, during which he discovered his love for diving. He continued his diving education in Koh Tao, Thailand, where he spent 3 months becoming a Divemaster, Instructor, and Master SCUBA Diver Trainer (MSDT). Brendan has experience as a lifeguard, camp counselor, backpacking guide, and sailing instructor, and is extremely passionate about teaching and sharing his love for the outdoors!
Katie Thurmeier - Mate
Katie is from New York and studies astrophysics in Boulder, Colorado. This is her first summer working for Action Quest and she is really excited to be a part of the team! Katie was a student at Seamester where she learned she loved sailing and scuba diving. Outside of AQ, she enjoys hiking, drawing, playing video games, and photography. Katie is excited meet the students and have an action-packed session!