Graduating
from University as a Speech and Language therapist, there were two paths I
could take, one on the straight and narrow leading to a job in the profession
and the other slightly wonky and rather shady looking, with overhanging trees
and bracken it was unclear as to what would be lurking around the next
bend…
Feeling adventurous
I decided to start walking down that second path, leading to a life inside the
Artemis Offshore Academy. Although I had been a member of the Academy student
squad for a year, I hadn't really done so much training with Artemis as the
Figaro fleet left for training in France straight after Christmas. Therefore, the
focus of my 2012 season became sailing with the British Keelboat Academy,
campaigning a J109 into 3rd place at the Brewin Dolphin Commodore's Cup.
Blasting across the Channel in the J/109
So
when the opportunity came to take up a six-month internship with the
Academy I took it, not quite knowing what the outcome would be. I had always
enjoyed weekend breaks away on the Isle of Wight and since having a placement
at the local hospital; I could see myself living there quite happily. I am now
four months into my internship working as a 'Stagiaire', or 'Assistant’.
Although this has meant very modest pay, long hours and now my third
year straight without taking a holiday, I'm really enjoying learning all
that I can about the professional sailing industry.
Fixing a clutch on the Mini 6.50
My
day often starts at 6.30am. I get up, have some breakfast and try to learn a
bit of French or study for some Yacht Master theory. Some days of course I end
up just nodding off, leaving me dashing for the chain ferry in the hope of
grabbing a coffee before its ramps are ground up and it slips along its weedy
chains to East Cowes!
Of
course I still often find myself outside, usually in the pouring rain, being
teased by the 'yardies' who have various jobs from boat building, driving big
hoists and cranes around and eating sarnies by the waterside. This is the part
of the job I enjoy the most, breathing in the fresh air and clambering around
on the boats. It's a great feeling when you come up with a new system, such as
an answer to how to store and code over 100 sails or learn how to repair a bit
of equipment, whether that be a seemingly simple task like fixing a clutch, or
making a structural reinforcement to the deck of a Mini 6.50.
At
the end of the day I'm usually pretty knackered, especially after stomping up
the hill to the crew house where I live with eight other stagiaires. Most
evenings I make it to the gym, working on aerobic fitness, weight training and
re-learning how to swim properly. After that there might be some more emails to
do, something to research on the internet or occasionally a trip to the pub whereby
a usually mundane evening can be spiced up by taking on another identity, in Cowes you can pretend to be anybody you
like, from farm girl to posh city worker - anything goes! Other evenings I work
as a carer to help keep me in the Health Professions loop and bring a little
income in.
So
life on the inside is a busy one, I'm kept on my toes, my confidence grows and
I'm working in a pretty cool, albeit hard going profession!
2012 Academy members outside the freshly painted Union flag!