Fred’s a fascinating character – a past commodore of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, who’s sailed more than 50,000 nautical miles, including a circumnavigation of the globe in a yacht he built with his brother in deepest Southland.
James Swinney was sitting in a committee meeting at the Paremata Boating Club, listening to the commodore announce the news that a sailor at the club had won Yachting New Zealand’s prestigious young leader award for 2024.
Within the hallowed halls of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Georgia Witt is a silent champion. Dedicated and humble, she goes the extra nautical mile every day to make sure the club keeps ticking, and that it’s progressive and engaging to draw new members in.
No job has ever been too big or too small for Oldsie. In fact, there’s never been a problem that’s left the Mr Fix-It of New Zealand sailing stumped.
As Ann Byford passes on her rich knowledge to a new generation of sailors in a small seaside settlement south of Auckland, they’re unlikely to know her intriguing backstory.
Four years ago, Joel Brazle could never have fathomed he’d be watching two of his three kids sailing at a world championship – and that one would be crowned a world champion, for a second time.
As Viki Moore was driven to the airport in Noumea, she watched in disbelief as cars were flipped and set alight, and tanks and men with machine guns lined the roads.
At 23, Finn Drummond has already lived a frenetic and impressive life – as a sailor, a sailmaker, a dedicated volunteer, a student in social work, and now the head coach at Sailability Auckland.
Just turned 15, and in Year 11 at Rangitoto College, it’s astounding to think Chloe is on her way to her second Youth Worlds regatta on Italy’s Lake Garda.
Say the name ‘Dr Dave’ and multitudes of sailors around the globe immediately know who you’re talking about.
Sarah Wiblin has smashed a few glass ceilings in her 18 months at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Nathaniel Short’s mum offered one sage snippet of advice as he began learning to sail on Lake Ngaroto, deep in the Waikato. “Don’t get stuck in the mud.”
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