For most of my life Antarctica was just that white part on the bottom of a map. It wasn’t until I met someone in New Zealand who had worked at a base there as a glacier guide for scientists that it ever crossed my mind as a possible place to work. I quickly realized that a position on a base was beyond my reach as I was not a scientist and had no experience with glaciers. The thought of working in Antarctica slipped away as I accepted I wasn’t qualified. Fast forward four years, and I’m here, in Antarctica… as a stand up paddle board guide. I would have never imagined that stand up paddle boarding would be the skill that landed me a position in Antarctica. …show more content…
The only thing about Antarctica’s summer that resembles a summertime is the long daylight hours. The temperatures hover around freezing and on warm days around 40 degrees, although the sun can make it feel a bit warmer. I made my way to Ushuaia, Argentina with two large duffel bags of gear, including dry suit, booties, hats, gloves, thermals, boots, and a whole bunch of fleece. There I boarded the ship I was to call home for the next three months; the Ocean