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Best Bitter End Day (Ocean 2017)

By wpdev June 5, 2017
June 2, 2017

Today was the best Bitter End Day that I have ever experienced. Ocean, the first group of staff training, and the office staff met up for the day and I honestly think that I did not stop smiling. Being in such a beautiful place surrounded by such an incredible group of people is something that one has to experience to understand. Every time I come back to Sail Caribbean, I make even more connections with people I wish everyone could meet.

We started our day with a hike full of breathtaking views of the sea. We were all sweating, but we were all having a good time meeting one another and making connections. Our day continued with some staff doing crazy dives off of the dock into the stunning blue water.

We then had some down time where I read a research paper on sea turtles and took a nap in a shady hammock. In the afternoon, we all took Hobie Cats out and it was incredibly fun! I have never felt so confident sailing a Hobie Cat and I think that speaks to how amazing Rowsey and Lindley are at patiently working with me on my sailing skills. We hung out in the afternoon and had some soda and some smoothies but before I knew it the day was over and it could not have been any better.

What made this Bitter End Day so special was the people. Sail Caribbean changed my life because of the people who work here. Their passion and energy is unmatched, their stories and lives are interesting and unique, and above all else, they are just so fun.

Some of the people that I saw today are people that I’ve known since my first program in 2014 and some of them I met either last week or even today, but they are all equally incredible people. I am so excited to be a Mate in Training this summer and work beside the people who changed my life. I am so excited to see the new staff impact this summer’s students in ways that they don’t even see coming.

Summer 2017 students: get ready for the time of your life, treasure every minute of it and every person you meet while you are here. You will meet incredible fellow students that you will have a connection with for life but also connect with your staff because the staff here will change you for the better and make you smile more than you ever thought you could.

Meredith Davies, Ocean student, age 19, Plainsboro, NJ

The greatest challenge during the program was staying entertained during the quarantine period. Not being able to leave your boat and not having a phone, which was a crutch against boredom, it was difficult at first to stay entertained.