It’s not the size of the fleet but the quality of the field. Is there such a saying? Should be.
Derek Brebner’s just been crowned national masters’ champion in the Europe dinghy sailing class, in a field of 11 at Napier Sailing Club.
The Times first learned about it on social media on the night of November 25, a post of the results by his wife, Jo, “the land-based manager”. She obviously did a good job.
The victory does qualify Brebner – “DB” to this writer – for the world championships.
They’re in Europe (appropriately) next year – on Lake Garda in northern Italy, the country’s largest – and DB’s tempted to go.
He’s previously thought not, but there’s a few Kiwi Europe class sailors going so he’s seriously thinking about it.
Brebner says the Europe, as the word suggests, is where the sailing class is most popular and of origin. DB knows the competition will be tough at the world champs.
“It’s a very athletic class. It suits light-bodied people. Barbara Kendall won a lot of national championships.”
Derek knows Barbara’s dad, Tony, they’re mates, and says “the Kendall family have been huge in the class”.
When the Times catches up with DB, it’s a revelation to learn he won the 1988 United Kingdom national champs in the Europe, when they were on their OE and living in south Hampshire.
He says the Napier Sailing Club’s Summer Regatta is a great event, this year attracting 156 sailors across multiple classes, racing in separate courses for juniors and seniors on the brisk waters of the ocean-exposed southern tip of the Hawke’s Bay.
Although the numbers of competitors were down on past years, it still meant the beach, boat ramp and car parks were constantly awash with small yachts, vehicles and trailers coming and going from the water.
“I love sailing and competing. After raising kids, if there’s a lot of youth in you and if you can still physically get into a boat, you should do it,” says Brebner.
A former commodore and still member of Shelly Park Cruising Club, Derek, 61, grew up in Mt Wellington and first hit the water as a young child at Panmure Basin and on the Tamaki River.
“My father had a launch and we sailed along in the dinghy.”
That started a lifetime of being out on the water, with the breeze in his face and sea spray in the hair, and as we talk DB mentions he’s also got a classic 32-foot (Des) Townson keeler, and a restoration project of another forever-favourite, a wooden Zephyr class, a single-person sail craft like the Europe.
His home club of the past six years is a few short tacks away.
“The Howick Sailing Club is fantastic. The learning-to-sail programme is great for the juniors, but we need more seniors,” says Brebner.
“If there are people who consider themselves washed-up sailors, the Howick Sailing Club caters for all levels. They’re so helpful and inclusive.
“They look after anyone who wants to have a go, including shy people like me, and it’s safe sailing at Howick Beach.”
