Robin’s story is here!

Sheila’s story is here

SNOEK was named by Annelise, one of the Nevis Aquatic and Sailing Center's dedicated swim instructors and a familiar face in our Learn to Swim program, Bring It Swim Team, summer camps, and sailing activities.

The name comes from the snoek, a fast and powerful fish found in the waters of South Africa, making it a fitting name for a racing dinghy. Snoek also happens to be the nickname of one of Annelise's cats, combining a bit of her adventurous spirit with a touch of home.

A lifelong lover of the water, Annelise has enjoyed sailing and racing in destinations throughout the Caribbean and beyond, including Antigua, St. Maarten, Tortola, and the Irish Sea. Whether teaching children to swim, supporting club events, or joining in a sailing session, she is always eager to share her enthusiasm for the water with others.

When she's not at the pool or on the sea, Annelise enjoys spending time at the beach with her dog IsaBella, baking bread and cupcakes, and even racing cars. Her passion for adventure, both on land and at sea, makes SNOEK a perfect reflection of her energetic personality and love of trying new things.

Through SNOEK, Annelise hopes to encourage young sailors to be confident, curious, and willing to embrace new challenges, both on the water and in life.

JOLLE was named by the Denne family, long-time supporters of sailing and youth development in Nevis. The name reflects the family's Swedish heritage through Camilla, who is originally from Sweden, and their shared love of life on the water.

In Swedish, jolle means "dinghy," but to the Denne family it represents much more: freedom, adventure, and the simple joy of sailing. An Optimist is the perfect jolle, small but mighty, steady yet playful, and always ready to catch the wind and explore new horizons.

The Denne family has played an important role in the development of sailing in Nevis. Miles, founder of Nevis Yacht Charters, helped establish the original Nevis Yacht Club, which evolved into today's Nevis Aquatic and Sailing Center. His years of dedication helped lay the foundation for the programs that continue to introduce young people to the water today.

Together, Miles and Camilla have been steadfast supporters of the Center, while their daughters, Edith and Filippa, are enthusiastic participants in our programs and members of the Bring It Swim Team. Through JOLLE, the family hopes to inspire confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of the sea in every young sailor who steps aboard.

CATBIRD SEAT was named by the Beale family, who lived on Nevis from 2018 to 2020 and quickly fell in love with the island, its people, and its way of life. Although they no longer live here full-time, Nevis remains a special place to them, and they return regularly to visit. Throughout the years, the Beale family has been a valued supporter of the Nevis Aquatic and Sailing Center and its mission to introduce young people to the water.

The name Catbird Seat holds special meaning for the family. The phrase traditionally refers to being in an enviable or fortunate position, and for the Beales, it perfectly captures how they feel about Nevis.

As they describe it, "The Catbird Seat was named for the idea that if you're lucky enough to be on Nevis, you're lucky enough!"

We think that sentiment beautifully reflects the joy of sailing and the appreciation we all share for this remarkable island. Through CATBIRD SEAT, the Beale family hopes to inspire young sailors to enjoy every adventure, embrace the opportunities before them, and remember just how fortunate they are to experience life on the water in Nevis.

VIOLA was named in honor of Viola Liburd (née Browne), a proud daughter of Taylor's Pasture, Nevis, whose life reflected resilience, family, and the enduring connection between Nevis and those who made new lives overseas.

In the late 1950s, Viola and her husband Nathan moved to England as part of the Windrush Generation, settling in Ipswich where she worked as a hospital attendant. Once established, they were able to reunite their family by bringing their children from Nevis, including their daughter Shirley.

Viola believed deeply in the importance of opportunity and education. She encouraged Shirley to pursue her ambitions, proudly supporting her through her nursing training and celebrating her graduation. Sadly, Viola passed away at the age of 50, just as Shirley began her career in midwifery. Although she never had the opportunity to return to Nevis, her love for her homeland remained strong throughout her life. Nathan was later able to revisit Nevis and reconnect with family and friends.

Today, Shirley has returned to live in Nevis, within sight of the place where she and her mother were born. Through VIOLA, her family's story continues to sail forward, honoring the courage of a generation who crossed oceans in search of opportunity while never losing their connection to home.

Thelma Miller, her husband Johnny, and young son Scott stayed at Headland House during their first visit to Nevis in 1963. The little white house with blue shutters, owned by the Yearwood family, overlooked the black sand beach of Mosquito Bay (now Oualie Bay). There was nothing on the pristine beach except for a few fishing boats.

During the 1960’s there were very few boats on the water. Weeks could pass without a large ship passing in the distance. Local fisherman rowed their boats to the Cows and Boobie Island. Outboard motors were just coming into use. Fisherman kept their boats on shore and used palm tree trunks to roll them over the beach down to the water. Lighters—large, single-sail wooden boats—carried freight such as flour and bottled drinks from Basseterre to Charlestown. Occasionally, they were becalmed between islands as the sun set over the horizon behind them.

One lighter, the “Unity”, was owned by Captain Rogers of Westbury and anchored at Tamarind Bay. It carried livestock and a few passengers to St. Kitts every week. The crew would take sheep and goats in a small row boat out to the lighter and lift them over the gunwale. Cows, too large for the rowboat, were swum out and lifted out of the water with a manually powered winch. After the livestock were loaded, a few passengers would follow in the rowboat. One time a very large lady could not climb over the gunwale, so the crew used the winch to lift her over. Everyone, including the lady, was laughing hysterically!

But back to Thelma…Thelma immediately fell in love with Nevis, bought land at Jones Estate, and began building a home. The family moved into the house on what is now called “mailbox road” in late 1965.

Thelma loved to swim and chose her house location so she could easily walk to Mosquito or Tamarind Bay. She usually swam twice a day: mid-morning and late afternoon. Most often she walked to Mosquito, cutting across the ghaut, down the livestock path to the main road by L’Escale, and along the main road to the beach. She began her swims from the middle of the beach, where NASC is today. She would kick off her sandals, hang her beach cover-up in the tamarind tree, and wade into the water. Usually she swam the length of the bay two times.

Sadly, Thelma passed away in 1996 at the age of 72. Family and friends thought she would live to a much older age because she was very fit from all of her walking, bicycling, swimming, and belly dancing! If Thelma were alive today, she would be delighted to see all of the children swimming and sailing in her beloved bay!