News
How She Sails: Di
Published Thu 25 Jun 2020
How long have you been in the sport of Sailing?40 odd years
What Club, Association or company are you involved with?
Townsville Sailing Club
What Part do you play in our sport?
Sailor; Instructor; Club Volunteer; Club administrator
Tell us how you first got involved with Sailing.
Growing up, my family owned two different keelboats and these boats were part of the family. We cruised and raced the yachts spending most family holidays at sea.
There are many pathways in sailing, where has your journey taken you?
From cruising to competitive dinghy and keelboat sailing, I have enjoyed being part of some fantastic crews, even winning a few regattas! Instructing since my 20s has provided great opportunities for travel; starting in NZ, to teaching in the States, on a sailing ship in the Med and Pacific, to where I am now, enjoying being part of the team in tropical North Queensland. It was a great compliment to be awarded QLD Instructor of the Year, in 2019.
Whatever part of sailing you belong to, tell us about what you enjoy about your sport?
I absolutely love the freedom and the connection with the ocean environment. The friendships, the personal challenge and the joy of sharing the sport with others. As a Senior Instructor and Club Administrator, I enjoy delivering instructor development programs and promoting sailing to a wider community.
What would you say to someone thinking about getting into sailing?
Come down to the club and give it a try. Leave your phone on the beach, switch off and enjoy. Start the journey, you never know where it will take you!
Tell us your favourite story ….
Crossing the Coral Sea from New Caledonia to Townsville on a 44 foot sailing cat, with my sister and her family, we stopped at the remote Chesterfield Islands. The wildlife was magical, we felt like we had stepped into an Attenborough documentary as we observed the unspoilt nature. The passage felt like a great personal achievement, particularly as the autohelm was kaput.
Crossing the Coral Sea from New Caledonia to Townsville on a 44 foot sailing cat, with my sister and her family, we stopped at the remote Chesterfield Islands. The wildlife was magical, we felt like we had stepped into an Attenborough documentary as we observed the unspoilt nature. The passage felt like a great personal achievement, particularly as the autohelm was kaput.
"I have enjoyed being part of some fantastic crews, even winning a few regattas!" |
