This winter i have been able to make use of the new qualifications I got last winter. In August I started job hunting looking for a charter base or school that i could work for for the winter. In the end it turned out that the places that a canadian can work are mostly in the Caribbean, and mostly American Sailing Association (ASA) schools. Fortunately i was able to cross over my rya qualifications to the equivalent ASA instructor qualifications. After that I had more luck job hunting. I had a few skype interviews, and then a job offer from Barefoot Offshore Sailing School. Here’s a link:
http://www.barefootoffshore.com
So I arrived before christmas planning to teach my first course the week before christmas. Unfortunately the students canceled that course due to a very rainy forecast and i worked for the base helping in the rigging department. I was able to learn about the boats and how the base works and such instead. I did get out for an orientation sail in 25 kn and 2 meter seas. Average for the end of December i’m told.
Next I went out for a 7 day with a family of 3. They found the waves a bit much so we focused on skills instead. Spent a lot of time around Beckway. Here’s a couple pictures:
Returned to base, switched boats and crews and went again. The second crew was two couples with a bit of sailing experience, so we worked on a lot of skills and got everyone through to bareboat skipper. I learned a lot about the ASA standard in the process and now I have a much better plan for the next time I get a full boat load of people who want bareboat skipper. Basically get the middle level done by day 3 and then get ready for the harder skills. Here’s some pics
