Please tell us a bit about yourself
I have been sailing all my life and my grandparents were my key influences, helping me fall in life with crossing line by taking me on holiday in the Med in their little Westerly Centaur. I spent a season creating as a chef on a 71 foot charter yacht in the Caribbean after university. I then swapped allegiance to paragliding for the next 20 years, meeting my husband on a hill in Wales when I came back from travelling. We did our Day Skipper together and ever since then I have been working towards getting our own round the world yacht to set off on adventures together. Five years ago I gave up my’ proper job’ as a primary school headteacher to focus on building my sailing skills and developing my coaching skills as well as continuing to teach, this time on the water.
Please tell us a bit about your role at Tall Ships Youth Trust
I have been a freelance First Mate for the past 3 years, combining this with executive coaching, educational consulting and working as a cruising instructor.
What has been your most memorable moment at Tall Ships Youth Trust?
Our first Leadership voyage, where I had the privilege of working with an extraordinary group of young people, watching them grow and develop as they managed the challenges of January sailing. Culminating with getting a dinghy and outboard together in the dark, with everyone lining up to try their hand at managing it so they could all get their RYA Watchleader qualification.
What is one thing you think people should know about Tall Ships Youth Trust?
The opportunity for everyone to grow when they are out of their comfort zone and all they are familiar with. It’s such a powerful catalyst for reflection, change and a deeper understanding of their own strengths.
Please describe your job in three words
Exciting, varied, rewarding
If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
Always finding a way. And never getting sea sick, no matter what the weather gods throw at us (although now I’ve written that, I may have tempted fate…)
