Tuesday, September 02, 2014

A Student Introduction

Marc Collins is a 36 year old California transplant who lives on the North Shore near Waimea Bay, at Alligator Rock. A big wave surfer who shapes his own boards, he is married to the famous female wetsuit designer Jamie Defay Collins, owner and operator of Sirensong Wetsuits. They live quietly with their two children, Pali and Hana, two beautiful Russian wolfhounds.

Marc works at the Hawaii Technology Acadamy. In addition to teaching math, over the summer Marc was asked to expand his role and become the high school support specialist and online curriculum administrator. What that mouthful really means is that he is the goto guy for many things tech: to set up accounts and classes and to enroll students with teachers in online courses. He also works with administrators, teachers and counselors to identify and establish support for struggling students. He is deeply dedicated to improving the education of our students.

One day, while hiking Kealia at Dillingham, he met Drew Char who was preparing to launch his Firefly. Marc was sold on the idea of hiking up and flying down. He called me looking to get an M1 special skill rating. At the time he was not interested in flying normal size wings. Well, as the training took that circuitous route that it so often does with our fickle weather, he came to love flying, any type of flying. He has nearly completed his P2 training with multiple flights on his Golden 4 as well as his Firefly. I know he and his wife will be wonderful additions to our club.

2 comments:

Thom said...

Thanks Woody, Welcome Marc. You now have an addiction like no other I have ever had and with a Soar Kahana Academy diploma you'll be flying properly and safely for years to come.

Look forward to flying with you soon.

Alex said...

Thanks for the intro, Woody! Marc has worked long and hard and he has definitely earned his wings. I look forward to seeing him join us in the skies very soon!