How long have you been in the sport of Sailing?

Since 2007

What Club, Association or company are you involved with?

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

What part do you play in our sport? (eg. Sailor, club volunteer, committee member)

Sailor; Club Volunteer; on water volunteer; Club administrator; Club Management; Committee Member; Marine Industry

Tell us how you first got involved with Sailing

I met a sailor who asked me to accompany him in a few sailing series. Later I crewed on a boat for the Wednesday afternoon series. The sailor became my partner and then husband and we bought a boat which we successfully campaigned in a number of racing series. I then sailed our boat in the Women's twilight with the best crew anyone could ask for.

There are many pathways in sailing, where has your journey taken you?

My journey has taken me from a complete novice who had no idea about the meaning of the terms, through to campaigning my own boat in the Women's Twilight series. Through sailing I have gained immeasurably from joining and volunteering at the RPAYC.  I consider myself part of the sailing family and am proud of my new skill set.  I will never be a star but I compete and extend myself.

Whatever part of sailing you belong to, tell us about what you enjoy about your sport?

I love the camaraderie experienced when racing, and afterwards back at the club house.   I feel accepted for who I am because I was out there having a go. I have met a lot of wonderful people. It is a happy sport.

What would you say to someone thinking about getting into sailing?

Go for it, be brave and when you are experienced be kind to your fellow newbies.  The volunteering opportunities like race management, committee work  and Club official opportunities open up a whole world of off-water sailing experiences to which you can apply your skills.

Tell us your favourite story ….

Tricky, is it the time our little boat beat the whole fleet in the Friends of David Booth Race Pursuit Race, the whole fleet!! Or the time I hung onto the railing by one leg after the boom tried to knock me off. Pretty severe injury to me leg but I held on like glue. OR the times we made a perfect spinnaker start in the Women's Twilight. Or the time we raced in winds over 25 knots in the Women's Twilight. We managed (just), it was exciting and alarming but the boat was strong  and it secured our first place in the series. We tried to sail home but had to be towed as the little outboard was not strong enough to manage the winds.  I don't know these are just some thoughts that spring to mind.