From the Valenza Trip Journal

Trip Glows

Natalie: Well the last day comes and it’s the time to look back on the past three weeks and see what our final thought is. I watched the other students type away at how unbelievable this all was, and I just can’t seem to disagree. The last three weeks adventuring my way through the Caribbean have been life changing. Everyday I learned something new, about my live-aboard friends and the world I’m trying to figure out. So many things have been going on that it’s hard to put down in one paragraph exactly how I feel, but what I do know is that the things I have seen and experienced will carry on with me for the rest of my life. From jellyfish attacks, making us all kinda shaky to go back into the ocean, to seeing gorgeous spotted eagle rays that make us never want to leave the ocean’s floor. I think we all have gotten more close with the ocean in a way we can’t really describe. We lived with it, we journeyed with it. And I don’t think any of us will feel the same about the "ocean" again.

Logan: The past three weeks has been one of the greatest times of my life, ranging from amazing diving to just hanging out with a group of 14 other great people. Easily my greatest glows of the trip were seeing my first shark, countless eels, two octopi and two eagle rays. On the surface, there were also many glows, such as chilling on the support boat, cooking with Trevor and just having a great time with everybody. I also felt that the instructors really made this trip great, willing to do anything and never running out of good ideas. In the end, I had a great time, I learned a lot, and with a lot of work became a master diver. Overall, I would recommend this trip to anybody, and hope to make another trip next year.

Peter: Broadreach is sweet. If you are a person that has a passion for diving, Broadreach would be your sanctuary. Over the course of three weeks, we logged over thirty dives! Many do not realize what an accomplishment that is. However, our greatest achievement was our Master Diver certifications. It is now hard for me to believe that I, Peter Silberstein, am a Master Diver. I cannot wait to brag to my friends about my new certification. They will be so jealous! During my Broadreach experience, I met and befriended many people. Although I am ready to return home, I do understand that as soon as I walk off that plane, I will miss everyone immensely. Time is the only object that is keeping me from another Broadreach trip. I hope to see you all next year!

Sarah: This has really been a one of a kind experience. I feel so fortunate to say that I have just spent three amazing weeks aboard a catamaran in St. Kitts and sailing around the Caribbean. I experienced a whole new world underwater that I will have with me for years to come. From a four foot barracuda to two nurse sharks, I saw so many creatures that many people will never get to see. Not only was the diving amazing but living with 14 other people was also quite an experience. Many think that living with 14 people on a 46-foot catamaran for three weeks would be a huge challenge, but I felt like I learned a lot about people from living so closely with them. There were 15 different personalities that luckily all balanced to make a hilarious and comfortable atmosphere. I don't think that I stopped laughing or smiling once on this trip, making the experience all that more enjoyable. I feel so lucky that I was able to enjoy some amazing diving and learn about 14 incredible people. I'm looking forward to another Broadreach adventure next summer!

Miriam: Is it time to do the look-back-and-remember thing already?! It feels like yesterday that I was meeting my staff members for the first time and stumbling around the Valenza in search for a place to sleep. And yet, part of me realizes that it has, indeed been an amazing three weeks: scuba diving, hiking and sailing have all come together to form one amazing experience that I know has shaped me in ways that I might not even be able see right now. Broadreach has taught me to treasure everything I come in contact with, from rain to coral; but it taught me to treasure myself and my newfound abilities and friends too. Many of us have become Master Divers, a level I hadn't even dreamed of reaching before this trip. As I leave my boat and my friends, I feel confident that our new skills and experiences have prepared us to take on the world in a whole new way. Thanks, Broadreach, I am looking forward to another exciting adventure next summer!

Ben: This trip has been an unbelievable experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Not only have I been fortunate to see some of the most beautiful places in the world, but I also have been able to make 14 friends. The best part of the trip was the diving, it was amazing. I am proud to say that once I get my CPR certification I will be a Master Diver. My favorite dives on the tri, were my first dive in Saba during which I saw three nurse sharks, our last day dive in St. Kitts during which I saw three spotted moray eels, two chestnut eels and one golden spotted eel, and the best dive was our last night dive in St. Kitts when I saw an octopus. Not only am I a better diver, but also a better sailor, and I will never forget this trip for that.

Ellie: This experience has been unbelievable. I will never forget the amount of fun that I have had on this trip. I hope to come back next year, but only on the Red Sea trip. The people I have met and the knowledge I have gained from this trip is inexplicably remarkable. I have been so fortunate to see some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean and hope to one day come back and make a home of one of them. I will never forget this trip and thanks Broadreach for a great time!!

Emma: These past three weeks have been absolutely amazing. My second Broadreach trip in the Caribbean has only confirmed my passion for diving. Our comical crew and enthusiastic staff made every day special and fun. This summer I observed sharks, turtles and a spotted eagle ray while diving. By improving my buoyancy I was able to really appreciate the diversity of coral and fish on the reefs. I also reached my goals of becoming a Rescue and Master Diver. Each adventure here is different. No dive, hike, sunset, or personality in the group of people is ever the same. As I prepare to leave St. Martin, I'm content because I know that I will be back to enjoy the diving, sailing and adventure that can be found here in the Leewards, and I've also learned that there is a lot of ocean out there I have yet to explore. The realization that the world is so vast and beautiful is an important concept that I have learned through my interactions with people and the experiences I have had here.

Margaret: This trip was the most amazing experience of my life. The scenery I saw and the experiences I went through were like no other. At my first dive in Saba, I saw three baby nurse sharks, a giant lobster and a turtle that was staring at me, a foot away from my face. I also got to experience all the different islands and their different atmospheres. I also remember the first barracuda I saw. It was under a wreck all by itself just staring at all of us. These past three weeks have been amazing. I've met 14 other people and learned how to live with them on a boat. It was a great experience and I also learned discipline. I learned how to interact with others and work until it was all done. Overall this trip made me learn so much and contained so many memories. I'll never forget it and I hope I can go back on Broadreach next year!

Scott: Broadreach was a super experience. Not only was I able to achieve many scuba goals, such as Advanced Open Diver, and Master Diver, I was able to do this all while visiting many culturally different islands and making lifelong friendships. Also, simply the experience of living on a boat for three weeks was one I shall never forget. Broadreach has taught me much and I am grateful.

Trevor: This trip has been like no other trip. Going into a three week trip without knowing one person is an exciting experience. Sailing in most beautiful place in the world and discovering amazing reefs with unique aquatic life. Knowing that at the end of the trip I would have 14 friends. The group interacted in away that seemed to be friends forever. Between the long the sails and the dives we bonded well. I can't wait for the next summer with Broadreach!!

Joe: Joe had a great time but unfortunately he did not have time to write his trip glows due to an early taxi departure this morning. Joe is going to email his glows to the office so that they can update this page. So check back soon.