We want to give a big shout out to BVI resident Emma Paul who is doing a solo sail around Tortola at the end of this month (June 2024). Emma is detemined to teach everyone in the BVI how to swim and this fundraiser will enable her to get her innovative and inclusive campaign off the ground.
Emma arrived in the BVI in Jan 2001 to work for a charter company. She has been sailing since she was an infant and was a competition sailor throughout her teens taking part in multiple world championships in the 420 (see picture).
Emma sailed for the BVI from 2001 – 2008 and was the helmswoman in a BVI team that won the Woman’s Caribbean Keelboat Championship. She taught sailing at KATS and RBVIYC where the beginning of the idea that every BVI child needs to learn to swim, sail, kayak and sup came into being.
This solo sail will raise fund to build an above ground pool with the immediate aim of teaching 200 children from one of the BVI primary schools to swim and how to be safe in the water. Currently 70% of the children at Francis Lettsome Primary School can not swim in the deep (or without their feet touching the floor). Emma is raising funds for a community swimming program with the sole aim of providing low cost and no cost lessons to get as many people as possible in the community to be swimmers.
We will be rooting for Emma and support from as many people as possible will mean the world to her. The sponsorship link can be found here: Sponsor Emma
When not spearheading this initiative Emma can be found at Trellis Bay on Beef Island with her two sons where she owns and manages BVI Watersports and Jeremys Kitchen. Both businesses celebrate the very best of the BVI. Jeremy’s Kitchen has a long and wonderful history and that is a story for another day and BVI Watersports rent equipment if you just want to head out on the water by yourself or you can book a lesson with Emma herself and learn how to paddle / sail.
Jeremys Kitchen from the 1970’s
If you fancy Eggs Benedict and/or a Mojito by the waters edge on a Saturday morning or if you fancy learning how to sail / paddle / kayak this is the place to come. Everyone is welcome and with lots of beach toys and a large trampoline it is easy to spend the day here relaxing, having fun and watching the boats come and go.
Emma thinks the sail will take her about six hours and will be stocking up with sandwiches and energy bars plus drinks for the journey. We will be cheering her on from the shore with a cocktail in hand.
Go Emma!
