19 Jan What’s a bosun Pete?
When Pete’s step daughter Kimberley asked Pete “What’s a bosun?” he explained that it’s a classic 14-ft GRP sailing dinghy created for the Royal Navy in the 1960’s, not the fastest or lightest by any means, but possibly the toughest dinghy around, designed to carry large and healthy, but not necessarily very skilful sailors – an ideal training boat for both the Navy and Sea Cadets.
As Kimberley scratched her head and wondered why ‘bosun skills’ would relate to a job advert, it dawned on Pete that she’d meant the type of bosun who repairs and maintains boats and equipment – that rare and highly prized skill set that makes any dinghy instructor (or any sailor really) worth their weight in gold!
From there, it didn’t take long for them to recognise that a Winter job at West Country Boat Repairs would perfectly equip Kimberley for the summer season ahead and open up many new career opportunities as well as helping West Country Boat Repairs during the months when many boats come in for repairs and refurbishments and we also take on larger projects. Kimberley has a BTEC Level 3 extended diploma in Outdoor Adventure from Hartpury College, as well as RYA Dinghy Instructor and British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor qualifications and works at Croft Farm Waterpsorts, teaching dinghy sailing, canoeing, paddle boarding and kayaking.
With an official apprenticeship as a Bosun currently non-existant, Pete has designed his own equivalent programme to teach Kimberley the trade. Over the next few months we will post regular updates showing her progress and featuring different skills and techniques. We hope our customers and followers will enjoy seeing her progress.
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