Choice Camps Recommendation of ActionQuest: Barracuda

For more than 30 years, ActionQuest has offered water-based adventure training programs for teens around the world. The AQ experience is centered on small, co-ed, age appropriate groups of 8 to 20 teenagers. This encourages close friendships to form while fostering unique, hands-on experiences. Programs are non-competitive, adventure-based, and most are run full-time aboard sailing vessels.

From introductory to advanced sailing and scuba, water sports, land excursions, cultural immersion, tropical marine biology and community service – ActionQuest delivers fast-paced action for every experience level and adventurer. All ActionQuest programs and certification courses are performance-based as instructors work one-on-one with students to help them master a variety of skills. For teenagers looking for a high action, life-changing adventure that promotes personal growth, teamwork, and leadership, ActionQuest may be the perfect experience.

Trip Description

If you are between ages 13 and 15, already hold a basic SCUBA certification and want to dive, dive, dive, then the Barracuda Voyage is the perfect choice for you. You'll also learn a ton about the underwater world, as there is a strong Marine Biology component to this program, too. Outside of the diving, you'll sail, water ski and wakeboard. Off the water, you'll visit the islands, explore the towns, cook out on the white sand beaches and hike to the top of the tallest mountain.

During the voyage, you'll earn four different SCUBA certifications, the PADI Jr. Advanced Open Water Diver, Underwater Naturalist, Night Diver and Boat Diver Specialties. Beyond these certifications, you'll gain experience in sailing, water skiing and wakeboarding.

Staff Overview

With an average age of 27, ActionQuest staff members are young, dynamic teachers who live aboard with travelers 24/7. Most of the core operational staff work full-time as educators with Sea|mester, ActionQuest’s college-level marine science program. Others are traditional teachers and specialists during the year. More than 75% of AQ staff members return each summer and 56% were once shipmates themselves.

Every ActionQuest team member possesses the essential abilities for their particular area of expertise, yet most are multi-talented, combining the many skills necessary to operate a mobile live-aboard training program. Team members include U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, IYT/RYA Yachtmasters, PADI scuba instructors, marine scientists, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics and other water sport instructors. All staff members are trained first aid responders. During pre-summer, staff members complete an intensive training program encompassing safety procedures, risk management, equipment maintenance and operation, itinerary planning as well as instruction in teambuilding and communication facilitation.

Setting & Accommodations

From the moment you arrive, you'll move aboard your yacht and live on board full-time. All the boats have multiple cabins and a large salon that converts to an extra sleeping area, so there's enough room for everyone to sleep down below if it should rain, but, for the most part, the evenings are clear and dry and most like to sleep out on deck, swinging in a hammock under the stars.

The Barracuda Voyages are run aboard either large catamaran or monohull sailing yachts. ActionQuest uses only the finest charter yachts available, all of which are in the 45+foot range. Typically, used is the Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46 catamaran. Each Bahia 46 has 8 separate sleeping areas, a large salon which converts to a 9th cabin, and four full bathrooms (heads). The world's largest charter company, Sunsail, maintains all of the yachts to the highest standard.

Safety Standards

Safety is ActionQuest's first priority. Their activities are adventurous and to say that there are no ricks would be misleading. However, awareness of potential risks is the key to effective control and management. Risk management and safety training is a core part of operating our programs and is intergrated in a number of specific ways. On program, they sail with certified Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics and tow Rescue boats in our fleet for rapid and dependable transportation. All of their staff are first aid and CPR trained during our pre-summer orientation and most come with previous safety training from their field of specialty - yachting and scuba instruction or in the field of education.

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