Welcome to Pure Joy IV!
Location: West End, Tortola
Hello, hello, hello! I am incredibly THRILLED to be writing the first blog post for the trip! It’s been a bit too quiet these past few days as we staff have been stocking the boats with food, preparing lessons, and eagerly awaiting the people who make the place…the students! Our new home, the lovely Pure Joy IV will soon be filled with laughter, excitement, and a lifetime full of memories. We have some adventures in store for us like diving a shipwreck from 1867, hiking to the highest point in the BVI, and exploring the beautiful British Virgin Islands by boat. However, more than any postcard-worthy moment, as a former ActionQuest student myself, I can say that the truly life-changing moments will be the little mundane ones that sneak up on you. Perhaps a ridiculous conversation in the dishy pit, or a dance party that delays dinner ever so slightly… regardless of the big moments and the little ones, we staff cannot wait to set sail!
Now I could go on and on about how amazing ActionQuest is, but I will spare you and allow your loved ones to take it from here… Let’s meet the crew!!
Our Skipper, Steph!
Steph was born and raised in New Zealand and brings a classic kiwi “she’ll be right” attitude along with her. She discovered her love for sailing at just eight years old and steadily progressed through the ranks, gaining experience on both smaller and bigger yachts. Steph has worked closely with teens and youth, using sailing as a platform to build confidence and develop leadership skills, all while making sure there’s an element of fun! When she’s not out on the water, Steph can usually be found doodling in art books or jamming on her ukulele
Our Dive Instructor & Medic, Aria!
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!
Our Mate, Nicola!
Nicola is a sailor from sunny South Africa with a background in marketing, business and hospitality. After finishing her postgraduate degree in 2020, she followed her love for people, travel and the ocean and went straight into the yachting industry. Over the next few years, she worked on a variety of vessels around the world, building her skills, gaining sea miles and fully embracing life on the water. More recently, she returned home to grow her experience in marketing within the music industry, but the pull of the ocean never really left.
She’s since completed a few skipper qualifications and is always keen to keep learning and improving her sailing. This summer, Nicola is excited to get back on the water – sailing, diving and sharing unforgettable experiences with people from all walks of life. She’s especially passionate about the impact sailing can have and loves connecting with others who feel the same. When she’s not on the water or with friends, you’ll probably find her reading, hiking, speaking Spanish, or trying something new.