Meet Sailing Instructor Ainsley Harrison
“The ocean has been my home, my classroom, and my greatest adventure.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am originally from the UK, where I started sailing small dinghies at 13 yo on the sea. I have always loved being on the water, its my “happy place” I crusied from Europe to West Indies with my young family. I have participated in off shore ocean racing and have been a charter skipper throughout the Caribbean and The Bahamas for many years. I also have delivered a variety of sailing vessels worlwide. The Bahamas has been my home for over 25 years.
Favorite Sailboat Type?
Catamarans.
What’s your “style” of sailing?
Adventure (new destinations & experiences).
Favorite “type” of sailing?
Deep Blue and Beyond.
What got you into Sailing?
By reading a childrens story book ( Swallows and Amazons ) about kids having adventures in little dinghjes on inland lakes. My father and I built a 11 foot plywood dinghy at home and I then learnt to sail by trial and error on the tidal waters off Cardiff, South Wales, UK and also on the sea lochs of Western Scotland I soon progressed from dinghies to sail small coastal cruisers ( 18 ft to 26 feet ) and I started skippering large charter yachts in the Caribbean in my 20’s.
Most memorable sailing experience?
There are so many…sailing across the Atlanic ocean in a boat with no engine before GPS existed. Seeing amazing sunrises after a long night watch. Being surrounded by a “super pod “of leaping dolphins ( over 1000 ) in the Pacific. Watching hunpback whales breaching around the boat. Sailing down the East river New York City through Lower Manhatten. The first time taking a sailboat through the Panama Canal.
Sailing always gives so many memorable experiences and still continues to do so.
What are a couple of your favorite sailing spots?
The Winward Islands in the Caribbean. The Exuma Cays in the Bahamas, The British Virgin Islands.
What’s your favorite part about teaching sailors?
Watching my students grow in their confidence and abilty and being able to pass on my knowledge and experience to the next generation of sailors.
What advice would you give a new student about sailing? An experienced sailor?
Never be afraid to ask lots of questions. Never be in a rush to get anywhere. Plan your sailing trips carefully. Have a plan B and C to fall back on. Never take any unnecessary risks. Reef the sail the first time the thought enters into your head.
What is a random fact about yourself?
I drink lots of tea and I never start a voyage on a Friday (ask me why to find out!)
What’s on your sailing ‘bucket list’?
Croatia, the San Blas islands off Panama and Antartica.
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