Atlantic Crossing – West to East, part 3
The psychology then. None of us hadn’t wondered how we would deal with the ‘head’ stuff. Perhaps boredom. Some thought there might be pressure and ‘angst’ from a ‘shouty’ skipper or watch leader. Cabin fever; locked on board in a confined space for weeks. I’ve talked about the people thing. Perhaps we were lucky with […]
Atlantic Crossing – West to East, part 2
There are always fixes to be made on the go. This tale takes the biscuit though. Now, for some unknown reason, the compass light failed, and after some testing, it turns out it was the bulb. A tiny LED bulb that you wouldn’t really think to take as a spare. So here’s creativity. On a […]
Atlantic Crossing – West to East on Surya Noctis
Surya Noctis (Dufour 44′) and a crew of 8 set sail from Antigua to Italy on April 15th, 2024. Leg one took us to Horta in The Azores in seventeen and three-quarter days. We didn’t really expect to be close-hauled sailing upwind for all but the last few miles, so we rapidly became used to […]
Let me write an entry in the logbook: taking RYA courses in preparation for a sail of a lifetime
We love asking our students why they decided to take sailing courses. Their answers are always unique and often quite exciting. When we learn that they have an interesting journey ahead, we make sure to follow up with them. For example, one of our students, Tako, was preparing to cross the Atlantic Ocean. After taking […]
From Daydreams to Dockside: Greg’s journey from student to boat owner, actually the other way around
We met Greg in 2022, and he came with one goal in his mind – to learn how to sail his new sailboat The Red Witch, who was already waiting for him in Italy. It’s not unusual, to get the boat before the actual knowledge, and he made the right decision to take actual courses, […]
A Journey with the Women at the Helm Internship Program
Attieke brought fresh energy to the school’s local marketing process, drawing on skills from her other roles to become a valued member of the school’s team. By season’s end, she was an essential part of Antigua Sailing Week’s crew, proving that dedication and adaptability can open new doors! Greetings to all aspiring maritime enthusiasts in […]
Empowering Women in Sailing: Shyka’s story of growth from Intern to Manager
Shyka Luckie-Hannays joined our Women at the Helm Internship program in 2023 and became a great addition to our shorebased team permanently – now she is our Assistant Base and Outreach Manager. Shyka: “I started my internship with no previous sailing knowledge. I was very nervous walking into my first sailing course, there was no […]
RYA Powerboat Level1 and 2, ADOMS Boatmaster Grades 1, 2 or 3… what is the difference?
We often get asked about different levels between courses and it can get confusing… RYA PowerboatRYA Powerboat Level 2 certification courses are primarily designed for recreational boaters and allow you to skipper your own boat or take out/charter a powerboat locally or on vacation, and you can obtain an International Certificate of Competence with your […]
Inspiring Girls and Women to Take the Helm in Antigua
In collaboration with Antigua’s National Sailing Academy (NSA), Antigua Sailing Week (ASW) and Second Star Sailing, 59° North hosted a fun and lively event on Saturday March 23rd, 2024, at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina (AYCM) to promote and encourage more girls and women to sail. 59° North’s apprenticeship program and sailing passages specifically target […]
Mixed level courses – advantages and disadvantages
Join Attieke, our intern, as she shares her first sailing course experience! Doing something for the first time is exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking, let’s be honest. Attieke participated in a Women at the Helm course, doing her RYA Competent Crew while others took the RYA Coastal Skipper course. She’ll walk you through the […]
