JD Hall is a grandson of the late Robert Hall, who is a national Hero. On independance day yestersay, JD's grandfather was just given a posthumous award for his role in shaping the nation of Antigua and Barbuda. His family goes back in Antigua too many generations to count and the family's reputation for honesty and integrity is infallible. Like me, JD was practically brought up on the sea. I remember seeing his dad "Kit" out on the Boston Whaler with a "school" of kids eager to get into the water for snorkeling or even more eager to "drop a line". Fishing, boating, camping and snorkeling are more a part of JD than anything else, which is why I was sooooooo happy to get the call from him about coming to work with me one day. He had been working with another tour operator and luckily for me, things didn't work out. I snatched him up because I knew he was more like me than most of the prospective skippers around. Another thing that ran in his veins was the love for engines and boats. What better person could I get to work with me just as I gotten a second boat? From day one his calm style and boat handling skills proved to be an asset that I was lucky to have.
JD is young and is learning about life and the world, and one of the nice things about our tours is that we meet so many interesting people. I have seen JD absorb plenty of info over the past 18 months or so and this young skipper is maturing in a way that his grandfather would be proud of. I know I am! Things to ask him about are anything to do with the sea.......things not to ask him about are his car troubles!!!! :)
You will meet him skippering either boat and I hope he sticks around with the company. He could very well end up running it! At his age most younger people just want to get out of Antigua, but JD enjoys his island life so much that he says he is happy to stay here for the time being. This shot of him was taken on the way in from an amazing fishing trip that just he and i did in Xtreme one afternoon. We went out with a few rods and not enough hands not planning very well, and ended up catching enough fish to supply all the restaurants in Jolly Harbour and our houses too. We were elated at the time of this pic. The euphoria doesn't get better than that.
4 comments:
I have to agree with Eli that working on Adventure Antigua for the past two years has really shaped Jd's life considerably. He is learning so much not only from Eli but all the different people he meets daily. Anyone who is lucky enough to have him as captain will surely agree he is great at what he does!
Tricky Dick of Kansas City was very impressed with JD and Tony...our trip on the fast boat was the best part of my vacation. Hopefully Tony's stomach recovered after all the laughs we had.....
John R. Lyle, DVM
richard, the boys told me all about it. when you do these tours over and over, having fun people on the boat makes them all so much more enjoyable. Thanks for being full of fun!
JD - We were guests at Jumby Bay this past weekend and were thrilled to make the day trip with you all on Monday. We really enjoyed all the events, what a busy day filled with things everyone could participate in if they chose to!
One thing I was sad to miss out on was purchasing a couple of t-shirts. I was to meet you on the dock at Jumby Tuesday morning, and unfortunately we got caught in a shower and were late. Did you see me out there on the dock when you gave your little opening talk about the reefs? I was in the yellow/white top hoping you'd come back to the dock!
Anyway, I would still like to make arrangements to purchase a couple of shirts if I can. Please write to me at a.woolard@yahoo.com!
Thanks for a wonderful experience!
Amy Woolard
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