Welcome to our little “about us” section. We figure it’s necessary to give some info on our backgrounds and motivations for going on a trip like this since people are always wondering about “the why” of things. So here we have written short bios about ourselves and included details on: our sailing experience, the goals we wish to achieve along the way, motivations for going on this trip, one moment we look forward to, and one funny thing about ourselves (listed in that order below). We hope you find it informative and inspiring!
TerriHappily married Mother of 4 who has been a stay-at-home-Mom for the majority of the past 24 years. Her family has been her enjoyment and career.
Sailing Experience: Starting in high school Terri sailed with her boyfriend and husband-to-be Jonathan and his family on board a 26ft Grampian named Domenette. In grade 12 Jon and Terri purchased a dingy called a Fireball, which they spent summers sailing on the Kingston waterfront and racing in CORK. In 1991 they purchased a 24ft Shark and named it Barrel of Monkeys, spending many years sailing the Thousand Islands with their 4 children. For the last four years they have been cruising aboard Mor’ Childs Play, a 44ft C&C.
Goals: To learn as much about life on the islands as she can, the culture of the peoples of the Caribbean, and to cook good tasting seafood using local ingredients and spices.
“We have been talking about such a trip for 25 years. This is just the beginning of many such trips I hope! We are people who love being on the water and as my youngest child stated, we live “windy lives.” Almost every hobby we have is sailing or wind-related!”
“I am really excited about the marine life in the Caribbean and scuba diving. I think it will be fabulous!”
“I am a horibble speller so I can come up with some very interesting pronunciations for words, which is somewhat of a family joke!”
Jonathan
Proud Father of 4 and married to Terri, who shares many of the same interests. Jonathan is an Electrical Engineer who graduated from Queen’s University and has worked in many companies in the high tech field. His interests include sailing, kiteboarding, running, cross-country skiing, flying his airplane, flying RC airplanes and now scuba diving.
Sailing Experience: Jonathan’s sailing career began in 1974 on a small gaff rigged dingy. In 1976 the family moved up to a 26ft keel boat (Domenette), which became part of the family for over 20 years. Jonathan raced a laser at Kingston Yacht Club in 1977, followed by a Fireball dingy that he and Terri raced in Kingston and Ottawa. With their 4 young children aboard, they sailed a Shark keel boat for many years. Family adventures on Mor’ Childs Play started in 2007 when she was purchased from the Lake Huron region.
I have been windsurfing since 1982 and since 2006 have moved over to kiteboarding to spend my time on windy days.
I have been windsurfing since 1982 and since 2006 have moved over to kiteboarding to spend my time on windy days.
Goals: “I want to kitesurf with the family in all the idyllic Caribbean kiteboarding spots. I also want to snorkel and scuba dive on the amazing Caribbean reefs.”
“To fulfill my dream to live on a sailboat with my family. Terri and I have talked about living on a sailboat since we were in high school and to be able to share this with most of the family will be very special.”
"One funny thing about myself is that I tend to pick up a phrase and use it continually until it's worn out, usually driving the family nuts in the process."
Nicole
With B.A. in History and English and B.Ed. degree just under her belt, Nicole is looking to explore the world through travel and writing. Her interests include devouring books, and many many watersports (kiteboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, swimming).
Sailing Experience: Many of her childhood memories revolve around sailing on the Barrel of Monkeys in the Thousand Islands. Nicole attended several sailing camps with her siblings and cousins at a young age and has been practising her skills on Childs Play in recent years.
Goal: To document our trip by capturing our experiences through writing and photography.
“I want to experience this trip because I enjoy traveling and exploring the world in unique ways. Sailing equates to a sense of freedom for me and growing up on the water has led me to be continually drawn towards lakes and oceans. My desire to go on this trip with my family also connects to a wish to live a simpler, more unconventional lifestyle.”
“I look forward to the end of our ocean passage when we catch our first glimpse of the BVIs and can feel a sense of accomplishment at having achieved something entirely new to all of us.”
“I eat a lot and, as everyone close to me will point out frequently, I get rather grumpy when I am hungry.”
Sarah
Sarah is a Student at the University of Ottawa currently taking a one year break from completing her undergraduate degree in Geography.
Sailing Experience: Having grown up with parents who love sailing, Sarah attended sailing camps as a child and currently enjoys sailing a laser at home in Ottawa and upgrading her sailing skills as a crew member on Childs Play.
“I want to go on this sailing trip because I would like to learn more about sailing and the world. I also see it as an opportunity to challenge myself, both physically and mentally.”
“I look forward most to exploring new places. I hope to learn as much as I can about the locations we will visit and the cultures that inhabit the islands.”
Sarah has a funny habit of thinking she says or does things that are annoying, but really this isn't true!
Jamie
Jamie is a student at Carleton University taking a semester off from studying Financial Economics to join the crew on the Caribbean leg of the trip. He is by far the best kiteboarder in the family, having started ripping it up at the age of thirteen, and spent much of his first semester dreaming about kiting in awesome locations.
Sailing Experience: First sailing on the tiny family shark as a baby, Jamie grew up on and around the water excelling at a variety of watersports such as wakeboarding, waterskiing and kiteboarding.
His goal for the trip is to try to take in as much as possible of the places we visit. He also plans to get his scuba diving certification while in the BVI.
One moment Jamie has been looking forward to is kiteboarding off the long stretches of beach at Anegada in the BVI.
Jamie has a refreshing habit of not taking things too seriously; he brings the humour and can lighten the mood in any almost any situation.
