SailGP Inspire Work Experience Program
Endeavour has announced that a number of young Bermudians have benefitted from its SailGP Inspire Work Experience Program as it embarks on SailGP Season 2.
A spokesperson said, “Endeavour, a Bermuda-registered charity that engages diverse young people from across Bermuda in experiential learning through sailing, continues to partner with SailGP Inspire, SailGP’s community, education, and outreach initiative, to create exciting legacy opportunities to benefit Bermuda’s youth.
“SailGP kicked off their second season in Bermuda in April 2021, while also relaunching SailGP Inspire, providing educational activities for Bermuda’s youth through its three pillars – learning, careers, and racing – aiming to build a more inclusive talent pool for the sport.
“In April, Endeavour and SailGP Inspire partnered for an online fundraiser presented by Sir Russell Coutts – SailGP CEO & Endeavour Chair Emeritus. Funds were raised to support legacy opportunities to positively impact young people in Bermuda with a focus on supporting those who would not otherwise have access to these opportunities.
“Thanks to the generosity of donors making the virtual fundraiser a huge success through the donation of items and experiences, bidding, and monetary donations, funds were raised to support future pathways and legacies for youth sailing and maritime careers.
“Young Bermudians who have completed the Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme are benefitting from exciting opportunities provided by the Work Experience Program at venues around the world during SailGP Season 2. Funds raised will also support financial bursaries for young Bermudians who have completed Endeavour’s programmes and wish to continue sailing at local Bermuda sailing clubs.
“We are delighted to announce that six young Bermudians were selected for incredible career opportunities as they engage in SailGP’s Inspire Work Experience Program over the next few months. The successful candidates and details regarding their work experiences are listed below:
20-year-olds Dontae Butterfield & Matthew Stephens – Content Creation Team – Aarhus, Denmark
- “Supporting SailGP’s Content Creation team while gaining guidance from industry professionals, to learn digital photo and video editing techniques, shooting and capturing methods and an understanding of the technical requirements.
20-year-old Cristian Roque: Sustainability & On-Water Operations Team – Saint-Tropez, France
- “Supporting the On-Water Operations team in delivering the event including the set-up of the race management fleet, monitoring the on-water sustainability program and marine conservation initiatives, deploying race marks, and supporting the mooring and craning of SailGP’s F50 foiling catamarans.
22-year-old Tré Maxwell: Rigging / Technical Team – Saint-Tropez, France
- “Supporting the deployment of SailGP’s F50 wing on a daily basis; assisting with wing assembly, maintenance, launching and cleaning.
23-year-old Benjamin Furqan: Sustainability & On-Water Operations Teams – Cadiz, Spain
- “Supporting the On-Water Operations Team in delivering the event including the set-up of the race management fleet, monitoring the on-water sustainability program, and marine conservation initiatives, deploying race marks, and supporting the mooring and craning of SailGP’s F50 foiling catamarans.
34-year-old Calshunto James: Boat Building / Technical Team – Cadiz, Spain
- “Supporting the boat building team to assist with daily checks to ensure the SailGP F50 is ready for racing, putting the F50 together, staging and rolling out the F50 as well as maintenance.
20-year-old Dontae Butterfield, who has recently returned to Bermuda after his SailGP experience in Denmark, said, “I am grateful to have had this opportunity with SailGP Inspire.
“After completing the Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme, I am keen to spend as much time on the water as possible. This exciting opportunity has been ideal to obtain more experience and continue to build my understanding of the maritime industry.
“It was really cool to get behind-the-scenes access because I was working as part of the content creation team. I was able to interact with and speak with SailGP athletes and was even able to board an F50.
“It was an awesome experience overall. The change in scenery was cool to see how different Denmark is compared to Bermuda – definitely very sustainable. I learnt so much every day, and it was incredible to be able to get face-to-face with the SailGP team drivers!”
The spokesperson said, “In addition to the international SailGP Work Experience Program, Inspire’s partnership with Endeavour also provided local opportunities during the SailGP Bermuda event in April 2021.
“Young Bermudians ages 16 and older who completed Endeavour’s Assistant Instructor Programme and the Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme, were invited to apply for opportunities in four SailGP Inspire Careers categories – photo and video, boatbuilding, rigging and ropework, and on-water operations.
“Five Bermudian youth were selected to take part in the Inspire Photo and Video Program that included a webinar with SailGP photographer and videographer, Beau Outteridge. Candidates gained valuable insights about action sports and marine photography combined with the opportunity to capture content during the SailGP event in Bermuda.
“The five Bermudians who participated in the program were Chris Raymond, Cristian Roque, Massassi Maxwell-Smith, Micah Straw, and Mickey Brangman.”
Mount Saint Agnes student Chris Raymond said, “I enjoyed learning from real SailGP experts. I think this opportunity was amazing and I am glad I got the chance to participate.”
The spokesperson said, “Thanks to SailGP’s partnership with ELG Carbon Fibre, who provide the building materials for the supercharged F50 foiling catamarans, five additional Bermudians engaged in the Inspire Boat Building Program. Their experience included an interactive online workshop led by SailGP boat builder, Jared Spiller, which focused on composite technology, learning how to use and lay up recycled carbon fibre.
“The youth who participated in the programme were Elijah Samuels, Mariah Wheddon, Nahjae Rayner, Ocean Archeval, and Quadra Lowe.”
Bermuda High School student Nahjae Rayner said, “I really enjoyed learning how the boats are made, and then constructing a piece that can actually be used. Thank you so much for the opportunity!”
The spokesperson said, “In addition, four young Bermudians were offered a virtual learning experience to learn the ins and outs of rigging an F50 with Tom Peet who leads the SailGP rigging team as part of Inspire’s Rigging and Ropework Program, showcasing kits supplied by SailGP partner Marlow Ropes.
“Candidates learned about various techniques involved with rigging and were introduced to splicing. The four candidates who completed the programme were Moriah Wheddon, Naphtali Smith, Sari Smith, and Tré Maxwell.”
22-year-old Tré Maxwell said, “Thank you for allowing us to talk with people representing SailGP. It was so inspiring, being able to see how they started really made me understand that they’re successful because they have huge passion for what they are doing.
“It really made me realise that it is the best of the best in SailGP. And I am going to try my best to be there.”
20-year-old Moriah Wheddon said, “I enjoyed the practical aspect of it and how hands-on it was. We were able to create real boat parts. I also enjoyed the small [virtual] groups because it created a more one-on-one type of setting.
“The instructions were clear and the people teaching us were absolutely amazing and answered every question. I am really thankful to have participated in this amazing opportunity with SailGP. Huge thanks to everyone who made it possible and supplied us with everything we needed!”
SailGP Inspire Youth Program Manager, Tom Herbert-Evans, said, “The world of sailing includes some of the most challenging and diverse career opportunities. Each role requires a broad range of skills that cover engineering, weather, and preparation. Bermuda is globally renowned for its maritime history and innovative boat builders.
“We are thrilled to be able to connect young Bermudians with amazing opportunities through SailGP Inspire’s partnership with Endeavour, as world class SailGP boat builders and riggers, content creation professionals, and sustainability experts share their knowledge and passion to inspire the future generation of maritime professionals.”
Read More About
Category: All
