
I didn’t step onto a boat until I was 28, so becoming Commodore 30 years later probably reflects how much I love the watersport lifestyle. I’ve shared my passion through teaching over 150 beginners to sail and almost as many how to drive motor boats. I’ve competed to a reasonable standard locally, nationally and offshore. I’ve yet to cross an ocean but it’s on the bucket list. Best of all, I have met loads of friendly, like-minded people home and abroad whose stories, yarns and jokes have added to my happiness.
“I first learnt to sail with the Corinthian Otters when I was 10 years old after pestering my Dad to let me try it. I started off in Oppies on the pond before moving on to crew and eventually helm a Cadet. Being part of the family Cadet sailing took me around the country on the circuit for training and competitions and as part of the National Squad to Poland and as far away as Tasmania. Shortly after finishing Cadets I took my Dinghy Instructor course to enable me to help teach younger sailors
When I went off to University I got involved with Uni team racing and in the Summer I would come back to the club to sail my RS200 in the Super Saturdays series.
Currently I now enjoy sailing my RS200, crewing a Squib locally as well as being part of an all-women’s match racing team competing across the country and internationally.”
I was an Otter and went straight into crewing in dinghies and many of the various one designs in the Club making many friends along the way. After a spell as Class Captain of the RCODs I bought a small cruiser, met my husband in the bar of the RCYC and we have cruised to the Med, Atlantic Islands and the Caribbean.
I’ve been a member for 30 years, initially with the Otters, becoming Secretary of the Otter Management Committee and Chairman of the UK Cadet Class. The Club became a focal point for our weekends and inevitably I became involved! I have been on House Committee for more years than I care to recall. My sailing centres around the organisational side of racing, happy days as part of the Committee Boat, Team Phoebe, and as a family we enjoy our more relaxed holiday adventures. I can be found, shoreside, most weeks and always look forward to meeting as many members as possible during these times.