Charlie 3 & Alpha 4 2015 Trip Blog- Meet The Staff

written by Social Media Coordinator, Ryan Smith

Lindley Barrow, Program Director

This will be Lindley’s second year joining us. She comes from Raleigh, NC and graduated from University of Carolina Chapel Hill in 2010 with a degree in Environmental Studies and Marine Science and was also a member of the rowing team. There, she enjoyed working at the school’s Planetarium and Science Center for four years. In 2013, Lindley moved to Costa Rica for six months to pursue a career as a scuba diving instructor. As a passionate diver, Lindley loves that Sail Caribbean provides kids with the opportunity to learn to dive and progress so much over the weeks that they are here. Always dynamic and adventurous, Lindley will never pass up the chance to go on night dives on the Wreck of the Rhone, and hopes to spend her life traveling and teaching.

Justin Perry, Fleet Captain

Growing up in East Texas, “Perry” had never been diving or sailing before he joined Sail Caribbean six years ago. Known as a mechanically inclined “Jack of all trades” with a super strong work ethic, Perry is the key to logistics coordinating our land activities, water sports, and all equipment used during our adventures. Perry attended University of Texas at Dallas in 2009, earning a degree in Arts and Technology. He also participated in a nonprofit boys and girls club where he befriended and tutored underprivileged kids. As Fleet Captain, he moved his previous title of Operations Director onto the water, now coordinating fleet logistics and maintaining boat mechanics. Perry loves Sail Caribbean because of its people, both staff and students. He says, “One of the mottos I live by is no matter one’s age, you have something to teach me. At Sail Caribbean, there are so many people to learn from.” His favorite part of the job is getting to travel everywhere inside the British Virgin Islands as his skills become needed throughout programs. His favorite place is Musk Melon Bay on Guana Island, which is great for wake boarding. Perry sees working on boats, something he truly loves, as a perk rather than a job.

Alyssa Fabyan, Captain of Galilee

Growing up in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, Alyssa has always loved the sea. She started sailing at the age of 6 on small boats, keel boats, and dinghies. Her goal was to become an instructor for Manchester Sailing Association, so she participated in every program with them and worked her way up until she was even on the race team, now having worked with them for 6 years. Recently, she raced in the J70 World Championship with the J70 she co-owns with her mom. She is now returning for her second year with us, and loves working where there is always steady wind to sail. She says, “It’s the most beautiful place to work and live on a boat.” She’ll always remember her night sail back from Saba last year on the Delta program, with an amazing, enthusiastic boat of kids and staff who witnessed a sunrise and dolphins! Alyssa’s other interests include skiing, photography, travel, and teaching. She hopes to teach internationally, especially after having the most amazing experience teaching in Puerto Rico this past year.

Clodagh Somers, Captain of Venture

Joining us for her second year all the way from Malahide, Dublin, Ireland, Clodagh is currently working on a Master’s degree in Architecture at University College of Dublin and in for free time, sailing anything with a sail. Raised by a sailor for a dad, she started sailing Opti’s and dinghies when she was 12. In time, she became a dinghy instructor when she was 17, and then going on to instruct for 4 summers. In 2012, she even worked in Spain instructing dinghy sailing. That summer, she also had a two week voyage aboard A Coruña, a tall ship, sailing from Spain to Dublin. In 2014, she got her day RYA skipper certification. Here at Sail Caribbean, Clodagh really admires the teaching method employed. She says, “Learning by doing is the major application, and it applies to both staff and students. Everyone is given a lot of trust and autonomy.” Outside of Sail Caribbean, she’s also interested in architecture, design, history and traveling, but having never lived more than half a kilometer from the sea, sailing always comes first.

Kevin Bonnie, Mate of Galilee, Medical Officer

Kevin joins us all the way from Balbriggan, Dublin in Ireland for his second year with Sail Caribbean. Kevin attended Colaiste Dhulaigh College, and also another year attending West Highland College in Scottland, studying Adventure Tourism Management. Inside his courses, he had formal training in sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, power boating, and mountaineering. He went on to work in centers back home in the west of Ireland teaching these adventurous activities. Here at Sail Caribbean, it’s seeing the students with no experience progress so much that Kevin truly loves. Described as a great combination of calm and witty, Kevin is funny and innovative, and a highly skilled sailor, but he also loves to make up and facilitate games on program. Although, it is no joke that he unfortunately is unable to do a forward roll!

Alex Armson, Mate of Venture

Alex, joining us for her first year, calls Bango, Northern Ireland home, but currently attends the University of Birmingham in the UK studying Politics and International Relations. Coming from a town just a glance away from the sea, at age 8, Alex enrolled in a sailing class at the yacht club around the corner from her house. Ever since, sailing has been the most crucial part of her life. After earning all RYA certifications at the yacht club, at age 17, she was spending all her weekends and spare time teaching sailing. It became an even bigger part of her life when she went to university and became a member of the sailing team, which competitively races every few weeks. Alex finds it incredible that she will now be able to teach kids and show them all the incredible sailing experiences that she has had the pleasure to grow up having. She even got to step out of her sailing craze to try her hand at scuba diving for the first time with us. After the season, she plans to take her new scuba diving experience to the next level and dive between two tectonic plates during her planned trip to Iceland.

Aoife Smeaton, Mate of Venture, Provisions Manager

This is Aoife’s second year with us, coming all the way from the small village of Malahide in Dublin. Aoife graduated from University College of Dublin in 2014, earning a degree in Zoology. She was also the captain of her university’s surf club and a member of the ski team. After thriving as last year’s British Virgin Islands’ Office Manager, she has worked this summer as a member of this year’s Operations staff, and a mate for the Bravo 2 and Charlie 2 program. Known for her loving and compassionate nature, Aoife says the best thing about Sail Caribbean is the people because they are all enthusiastic, doing something they love. She is known for her diligent work ethic that never prompts her to abandon the smile on her face. As the true animal lover she is, prior to this season, she was working at a wolf research center in Indiana for 8 months, helping to look after socialized wolves and foxes. Following this season, Aoife will be returning to work at the center, hand raising wolf puppies.