“ I started sailing my Optimist at Blackwater Sailing club as a cadet when I was 8. I really enjoyed local club racing and found myself sailing every weekend throughout the summer. I met some amazing sailors at my local club and got offered the chance to crew on a moody 38 for the 2018-2019 Fastnet race, It was an incredible opportunity and an experience I won’t forget. I then became cadet commadore aged 17, where I was a sailing instructor for younger cadets, I really enjoy teaching people how to sail and watch their confidence grow.
I started working at Downs Road Boatyard when I was 16 as a summer job. In 2020 I started my apprenticeship with the Heritage Marine Foundation. I was overwhelmed with how many different trades and jobs I covered in such a short space of time, my first job was to strip down a beta 20 engine, rebuild it and then instal it into a work boat. Over the last 4 years I have learnt engineering, welding, rope work and rigging and manoeuvring boats.
In 2022 I bought a 30ft Essex Fishing Smack called Katie, I had never sailed a gaff rigged boat before so it was going to be a big learning curve. I was very lucky to have people around me to teach me the ropes. I have now sold Katie to buy a bigger, engineless smack called Polly, this again is a big learning curve as she does not have an engine so I have to think about the wind and the tide constantly, the more I do it, the more confident I get. Smack sailing has introduced me to a community where I have made friends for life.
I am currently in my final year of Level 3 Maritime Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, once this is complete I wish to work as a 2nd engineer on big workboats or yachts, working up to chief engineer in the future”