My Story
My name is Ethan Russell and I am a 19 year old student studying Psychology and Governance, Leadership Ethics (GLE) at Huron University in London, Ontario. For the past few years, I have built a large part of my life around the outdoors and youth mentorship. The primary way I fulfill this is through Scouts Canada. I grew up as a scout in the program and slowly moved up becoming a leader, medical venturer, Council Youth Commissioner and now the National Youth Leadership Engagement Coordinator for the National team. Throughout my time in Scouting, I have been able to learn and develop my skills in empowering youth to find and achieve their goals. While doing this, I have been able to build on my own goals and find personal success as well.
When I was 14, I had just gotten off SALTS (Sailing and Life Training Society), a community orientated tall ship programme and was lost in the thrill of the experience. I began to look up other opportunities similar and came across a program known as Class Afloat. Class Afloat is also a tall ship sailing programme however instead of a single week on board, it is an opportunity to sail for five months around Europe and Africa before making a transatlantic crossing to North America all the while taking university courses and making life long friends. I must say, I was quickly mesmerized and wanted nothing but to partake. Fast forward five years and many ups and downs later, and I am setting here today looking back at one of the most incredible six months of my life when I experienced the magic of what sailing across the Atlantic can do to you.
Class Afloat was a huge cornerstone accomplishment for my life. It was a testament that if I put my mind to something, I could overcome any amount of turmoil thrown my way. In many ways, it was the experiences on board that have led me down the path that I am on today. I'm thrilled to have been able to experience the programme for all that it is to offer and I know that my time aboard the Alex-2 tall ship is nowhere near over.
