Author Archive
March 19, 2015
Today is the big announcement for who the 12 skippers will be for the next Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.
Stay Tuned for some exciting stuff!
Diane
Feb 16, 2015
I’ve arrived in England and am all ready for my first day of class. It’s quite funny too as many people have commented on my flip flops asking “aren’t you cold?”, to which I reply ……it’s -30 back home. I’m considering shorts! Looking forward to class tomorrow at Warsash Maritime Academy 🙂 Should find out about Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Skipper in a couple weeks. Everyone keep their fingers crossed!
Diane
January 15, 2015
Going back to England in February for round two of the Clipper skipper trials! Soooooo exciting! If I get the job I will have some pretty big boots to fill as last year’s race was won by Canadian Eric Holden.
I’ll give it my best 🙂
Diane
December 11, 2014
Clipper Round The World Yacht Race has officially been sanctioned for sponsoring work visas! For most people this is not terribly exciting news. BUT, if you are a prospective skipper like me who needs a work visa to be eligible for employment as a Clipper skipper, then you ARE ECSTATIC! It’s official…..I’m going back to England as one of the 15 skipper prospects! Now just two more training courses and a flight to England……..the world is full of hoops, you just need to figure out how to jump through them
Diane
Diane Reid Sail Training is offering a Sail Canada Advanced Navigation Course throughout January and February, 2015. For more details you can email Diane at
diane@onegirlsoceanchallenge.com
or any email address you currently have.
November 28, 2014
It’s been a fantastic adventure here in St. John’s Newfoundland at the Marine Institute, and it’s not quite over yet. Yesterday I wrote my final test for the General Operator Certificate. Although we don’t have the marks back yet, I am feeling very confident that I passed. Last night I was hosted for a wonderful get together with some other sailors at the institute. It was a great evening of sharing sailing and racing stories with other sailors. A very very big thank you to the Marine Institute for affording me such a wonderful opportunity! Now on to today’s adventures. Since class is over I have the whole day to explore. Next up on the list is The Rooms and then if there is time I’ll head over to The Basilica.
Diane
November 26, 2011
The past two weeks have been filled with a whole new adventure. I’m out in St. John’s Newfoundland at the Marine Institute taking the GMDSS-General Operator Course with Fred Meadus our fantastic instructor. Amongst studying and going to class, here are some of the highlights of my trip.
Half way through the course we had a “mid two week course exam”. Afterwards I had the entire afternoon and went for a walk along Water Street and George Street. Pretty amazing little town! Even a look at the local wine brewing options!
Next up was an adventure climb up Signal Hill. It was blowing about 40 and -3degrees. For those of you who know me well, yes I went back into my apartment and removed my flipflops and put my winter boots and hat on. Pretty kewl trudge with an amazing view at the top!
Next up was Cape Spear…the furthest most point east you can go in North America! It was fortified in WWII and remains a tourist attraction today with some guns and remnants of the buildings. Fantastic!
One day in class we were afforded the opportunity to see their Bridge Simulator. The Marine Institute is home to the most amazing Bridge Simulator in the world! Imagine the feeling of being up on a bridge and crashing into ice….or feeling the sea in horrendous waves and trying to negotiate entering the harbour. This simulator does it all!
And finally, today’s adventure was off to Ches’s for fish and chips for lunch with the class. Forgive me if I say this incorrectly, but I got scoffed in. Is that right? We had a huge lunch of fish and chips and I got this certificate from Ches’s to say that I had lunch there. It was fantastic!
Now just to pass the written and practical tests tomorrow and everything will be in place 🙂
Diane
October 25, 2014
Many of you have been asking what is next for One Girl’s Ocean Challenge. Well, if you have been following along you might remember that I did a little trip to England recently. I was very fortunate to have been given an opportunity to try out for a Clipper Round The World Yacht Race skipper. The exciting news is that I made it past round 1 of the trials. The bad news is that I can only go back for the final round if Clipper becomes sanctioned to sponsor work visas. They will find out in early January if they are eligible. Fingers crossed!
September 14, 2014
Fantastic DAY! I completed the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean written and verbal exam……and was SUCCESSFUL! I now officially hold the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certification. Oh Happy Day!
Diane
