Sailing Story: Andy and Julie

Andy was 13 years old when his family took their first sailing vacation. His dad had taken ASA 101 on a whim and then not long after started a family tradition: sailing in the British Virgin Islands!

Every year they sailed the BVI and Andy picked up new sailing skills with each venture. However, it wasn’t until years later that Andy took an American Sailing course  himself. 

“I decided, ‘hey I need some professional guidance and to really know what I’m doing’,” he laughed. “It was really great fine tuning the skills I had already accumulated.”

One of the things Andy appreciated most about the ASA courses was the “emphasis on proper technique rather than just getting it done.”

“That class instilled in me that proper technique and safety really mattered on a boat,” he said.   

As he continued sailing and lived by the water in Myrtle Beach, he decided it was time to get his Captain’s License to pursue a career on the water. A choice that ultimately led him to meet Julie.

Julie had gone to Annapolis with a friend in 2022 for a girls weekend and during their time there, they took a tour on a historic Maryland schooner. 

“I told the skipper I had a dream of learning to sail,” she said. “I’ve always been very interested in sailing— enamored with the idea of traveling anywhere on the water and barely using any fuel.”

The skipper enthusiastically pointed her in the direction of the Annapolis Sailing School, where his wife had taken lessons. It also happened to be the sailing school Andy taught at. 

Andy didn’t teach Julie ASA 101 but he was her instructor when she came back for ASA 103.   

I was very impressed with Andy’s ability to relate to me, his approach, and how he is able to teach,” she said. “I really appreciated the way he was able to break things down in such an explicitly clear and so supportive.”

After the course, Julie said she jokingly asked about crewing for him. He took her up on it.

“She just picked things up very quickly. We had great communication with each other. Everything went very smoothly,” he said. “[I thought] ‘hey, we could do more of this together!’”

Andy started bringing Julie with him during private charters and boat deliveries as his first mate. 

“It solidified itself into this solid team we now make up,” he said. “For me as a captain it’s nice to have set communication with a first mate instead of someone new each time I step on.”

Now, they are ready to begin their newest journey as Captain and First Mate with Go Sail Virgin Islands. 

“I’ve been sailing the Virgin Islands my entire life. I’m excited to get into not just sailing but teaching in this place I love and know so well,” Andy said. “Sharing not just the joy and beauty of sailing with new people and students but teaching them along the way.”

And for Julie, she is excited to spark a lifelong love of sailing among students as Andy’s first mate. 

“As someone who has more recently been a student themselves, I’m really looking forward to passing my fresh insights onto new students and help instill the joy of using the wind to get from A to B.”