The Daily Herald -Jesper Bus

Recap your story: My name is Jesper Bus. I was born in St. Maarten on September 22, 1988. Then in 1990 my cute, favourite, only, little sister was born. I love my sister and try always to be there for her. My father and my mother are my idols, and they support me in my choices and career decisions. They try and help me reach my goals. What I love is that from the time I was a young age, they let me come in contact with all kinds of sports, mostly water sports. My farther told me that I was born on the beach and only months later I was on a sail boat cruising through the Caribbean islands.

I grew up around the sea and I love to be around it. I started to sail when I was a little boy and as I grew older, I began sailing in the big boats with my father. I saw that I could make my career on boats. The yachts that come to St. Maarten always looked impressive so I decided I wanted to become a captain of a nice yacht. To reach this goal, I finished my high school at Caribbean International Academy and after that did courses to receive different levels of captain's licences.

My first time working on a yacht was a different ball game. To become a captain on a yacht, you have to work yourself up. So in the beginning, the work is mostly cleaning, organizing and serving guests. The most important thing is gaining experience while working on these yachts, as this is the only way you are allowed to earn a captain's licence. I was good at working on the boat and I travelled around the Caribbean for six months. When I found a yacht named Papi Du Papi, I switched boats and have been travelling the world from East coast America to the Mediterranean. I get along with the crew and the captain, which is important because you're living with them on the boat. Currently the boat is docked at Ancona, Italy. The boat is being sold for a better and bigger boat, which I will also then work on. I'm learning as I get to see the world, which to me is great.

I will be a good captain one day and will make sure I visit my country once I'm captain. During my travelling and studies, I will always try to make sure I get some time off to see my family & friends on St. Maarten.

What St. Maarten district are you from? Little Bay

Where did you go to school on St. Maarten? Jolly Dwarfs, Sister Magda, Milton Peters College, Learning Unlimited, CIA (Caribbean International Academy).

What is your favourite St. Maarten memory? This is a tough question, since I have many answers. Here are a few: getting together with my friends at Christmas parties; going on the Jukah Stones boat to go tubing and wakeboarding with my friends; having to drive my golf cart to school; kite surfing nonstop for a week with my dad; relaxing on Mullet Bay beach and rocking the sunset cruise on Lambada.

What was your biggest surprise when you left the island? The different types of cultures and people, the atmosphere at my destinations, and how much I missed my friends, family and dogs!

What are your accomplishments? My accomplishment is that I have been living my life to the fullest and am still enjoying every minute of my life. A happy life I must say :)

What are your goals? My goal is to become a good captain, travel the world and kite surf at every destination.

What makes you special? My good humour.

Where do you get your drive? My need to kite surf, to view the world, family and friends and of course the person I am.

How long have you been gone? My heart never left St. Maarten, but I've been travelling for two years now.

Do you have any advice for the young people of St. Maarten? Life will pass you faster than you think, so make the best of your life. If you have a goal, go for it. There are a lot of opportunities out there, a lot to do and to see.

Are you planning to return to St. Maarten in the future? Of course I will return to St. Maarten. I visit every time I have vacation. I haven't seen the world enough to settle down, but St. Maarten will always be home for me.