I started learning to sail in Mediterranean waters 2008, got hooked and then spent winter months doing classroom navigation to RYA Yachtmaster Theory and then practical training to achieve RYA Coastal Skipper. Now a retired Mechanical Design Engineering Manager with most of my working life spent developing construction equipment, l joined HOEOCA to increase sailing hours and learn from fellow members with more experience, ongoing. More challenges still to be completed include cross channel trips as well as scenic trips around the British coastline. Current challenge is lead from the front as the new commodore and with support from a very good group of volunteers on the committee continue to have great social sailing activities.

I started to learn to sail in 2008 on a ‘learn to sail’ holiday in the Southern Ionian, followed by theory courses locally and achieving Day Skipper practical in the Solent in 2009. We enjoyed sailing holidays in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and joined HOEOCA in 2016 when I retired from the NHS. I look forward to more opportunities to sail both in the UK and warmer climes.

As demand for Dad's taxi reduced, I got involved in dinghy sailing and I'm still the proud owner of a Solo Dinghy. The dinghy club also got me interested in sailing yachts. In 2012, I completed the RYA Yachtmaster theory course and went on to gain my RYA Day Skipper Practical in the same year followed by the Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence in October 2016. I've enjoyed a number of family flotilla holidays in the Mediterranean and organised sailing events for the Round Table. I was part of the HOEOCA crew who competed in the 2019 Fastnet Race which was an amazing learning experience. In 2021, I was fortunate to be selected by HOEOCA to join the Skipper Development Course with 'Reach 4 the Wind' which is an extremely helpful course for all aspiring skippers. I've now been skipper on a number of HOEOCA sailing weekends as well as Spring and Autumn Rallies. I enjoy sailing with the Club Members with a myriad of different backgrounds and personal sailing experiences.

My first experience of sailing was in a dinghy in Christ Church harbour with my cousins when I was a kid and I hated it...
I picked it up again in 1995 having done theory up to Yachtmaster at night school before really stepping on a boat! I joined HOEOCA the same year.
Since then I have clocked up over 25,000 sea miles having sailed with more Sailing Schools than I can remember and cruised in many locations including Scotland (which I love), the French Coast (which I also love), the Med (another great love), Ireland (I want to go back), the Faroes (was a long crossing), Teneriffe, Holland, the Caribbean and The Scillies (been lucky enough to get there twice) in addition to the traditional sailing grounds in England.
I was the first person in HOEOCA to do the Fastnet in 1997 and since then have dabbled with a few Sunsail Races and RTI campaigns.

I started sailing in a Mirror that my father built, it is still in use by the next generation. I then moved onto a Merlin Rocket before joining the Jim Race School of RYA Training to find out how to sail a boat properly. Apart from HOEOCA rallies and racing I have enjoyed sailing all round the Western Isles in a Moody 35, serious weather, serious rocks and great fun.

I started my association with the sea in 1980 when I trained as a commercial diver at Fort Bovisand in Devon as an option to my degree course in Civil Engineering.

I started sailing in 2008 when I did the RYA Level 1 and 2 dinghy courses at Shustoke Sailing Club. After the course I purchased a Laser Dinghy which I now race regularly at Shustoke Sailing Club.

Whilst at Shustoke I did the RYA Day Skipper and yacht-master theory courses and have subsequently been on a number of sailing excursions including a trip across the channel to Guernsey and Alderney last summer.

In addition to be being the HOEOCA Treasurer I am also the Treasurer of the RYA Midland Regional Volunteer Team where I have been in post for three years. I was the Treasurer of Shustoke Sailing club for 7 years but retired from this post 18 months ago.

My working life has been spent as a design Engineer on major Civil and Structural Engineering projects but towards the end of my career I moved into Project Management for a large multi-disiciplined organisation involved with the design and construction of pharmaceutical, food and chemical plants.

I retired in October last year to spend more time cycling, sailing, digging the allotment and amusing the grandchildren.

I've been a Member since 2009 and on the Committee since 2010. I went on a boat for the first time in 2008 with no previous experience. Being part of the Club has provided opportunities to train, to race, to go on holiday, to join rallies and just to enjoy the social life! Being a member of the crew means being part of a team so I'm happy to join in and do whatever I'm capable of doing so I can enjoy sailing with others.
Be safe, be friendly. I've found other Club members have the same idea and it makes sailing really enjoyable.When I joined HOEOCA I didn't know anyone but it was something I wanted to do and I've made so many friends.
I even get my husband to join in if it's somewhere warm!

I've been a member of HOEOCA since 2011. I'm an RYA Day skipper and enjoy sailing with the Club on the rallies and in particular on journeys to warmer climates including trips to Corsica and the BVIs. Completed Round the Island in a year when the winds were blowing up to 30 knots. Became a Committee member with responsibility for supplies in May 2022.