You grew up in a sailing family and you have quite the track record in dinghy sailing. Tell us all about that.

Sailing has never been just a hobby for our family; it is a very important part of our lives. Since I can remember, I’ve been on the water, either having fun or training for competitions. It’s a good thing my brother and I ended up loving sailing because, with a father who has spent most of his life on the water, I’m not sure we had much chance of escaping it! I actually consider myself more of a windsurfer than a dinghy sailor. When I was younger, I had a capsize that put me off boats for a while, but shortly afterwards I tried windsurfing and completely forgot about the incident. Looking back, I’m grateful for all of it. Whether racing, coaching or simply spending time on the water, sailing has shaped who I am and taught me lessons that I carry into every part of my life.

We have to talk about your most important connection in the yachting industry. Your father is the one and only Clive Walker, a very experienced and respected Super Sailyacht captain. I saw your CV and noticed you didn’t mention him as a reference. What is the reason for that?

Even though I owe a lot of my knowledge about the industry to my father, I want to build my career on my own merits. I don’t want to be known simply as Clive Walker’s daughter, I want to be known as Paula Walker. I want to be judged on my own work ethic, attitude and abilities, and earn the respect of my colleagues through my own efforts. If people eventually make that connection, I’d like it to be because I’ve already proven myself.

How much did you learn from being a superyacht captain’s daughter?

I’ve learnt that one of the most important qualities a crew can have for everything to run smoothly on a yacht is a positive, fun, but also hardworking environment. Every role onboard is equally important, and mutual respect is essential because everyone depends on each other. I believe those qualities are valuable in any profession, not just yachting.

Growing up, I also saw how much attention to detail goes into creating a great experience for guests. The amount of planning, teamwork and professionalism that happens behind the scenes is something most people never see, and it gave me a real appreciation for the work that every crew member puts in. It’s taught me never to underestimate any role onboard and to always be willing to help wherever I’m needed.

Is it correct that you have just graduated from university? What did you study?

Yes, I graduated one month ago. I did a double degree in Software Engineering and Cybersecurity.

How do you see a yachting career fit in your long-term professional plans?

Right now, I’m focused on building my career in yachting and making the most of every opportunity to learn and grow. With a background in Software Engineering, I think there are some exciting possibilities to combine my knowledge of IT with the yachting industry in the future. As technology continues to become an even bigger part of everyday operations, I believe there will be plenty of opportunities where both skill sets can complement each other.

What would be your dream yachting position right now?

My dream position would be a deck/stew role.

I love the interior side of yachting, the little details that often go unnoticed but make all the difference to the guest experience. At the same time, thanks to my sailing background and everything my dad taught me growing up, I’m also confident and comfortable helping out on deck whenever needed. I enjoy being hands-on, so the opportunity to contribute to both departments and become a well-rounded crew member is what really appeals to me.