Chatting to global adventurer, Paul Erskine

We managed to rein in the global adventurer, Paul Erskine for a quick profile. Erskine will be skippereing Alkistis.

Royal Natal Yacht Club
Paul Erskine

You sit in absolute awe, listening to the adventures of Paul Erskine as he chats whilst readying himself for his next challenge, the 45th Colorpress Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club starting in Maputo this Thursday.

“The Vasco da Gama is a gruelling contest and definitely not for the faint hearted. When I am sailing, whether it is a race along the South African coastline or a pleasure cruise around the Greek Isles, I always expect the unexpected as the weather can change in a heartbeat and the ocean is a fickle mistress.” Erskine states.

This is Erskine’s second Vasco, one of the toughest ocean races in Southern Africa, “I participated last year, that was my inaugural race and found the event challenging, exhilarating and I decided then that it would be an annual event.”

This year Erskine’s team that left for Maputo last week (Thursday 25 April) are the underdogs in the 15 strong fleet, “We are a young team, three of the team are under 25 and five of the guys, this will be their first Vasco. So it will be a great challenge for all of us but I have the utmost faith and believe we will do extremely well!”

Proudly, Erskine states, ‘’My son Caelan, and his friend Chris Walder are also part of the crew. Both of the guys are fifteen. I am really looking forward to the great father and son bonding sessions to be had at sea.’’

The adventurer is sailing on the magnificent Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40ft yacht, Alkistis, “Alkistis came into our family in mid-2011, Alkistis is a Greek name meaning ‘Starred or name in lights’. She certainly has lit up my life.”

The sturdy yacht is not the only thing that has lit up Erskine’s life as he expects a busy month in May. In mid-May, Erskine will be awaiting his bride as he weds on the 17th, “I plan on this adventure lasting the rest of my life!” claims the smitten gentleman. 

And this man is familiar with adventure, with his first epic odyssey finding him summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in 2009. “Every adventure is memorable in its own right, whether it is climbing Kilimanjaro as a personal goal or participating in the Mongol Derby to raise funds for Fairhaven Orphanage in Durban North under the Indlela Charity.”

Erskine who grew up on a farm in Harding has made giant leaps in the world of escapades with his phenomenal bucket list, “I am a humanitarian, adventurer and philanthropist with a firm foundation in my Christian faith.” he comments. “I have been incredibly blessed to have been able to see and do what I have done.”

His bucket list includes the seven summits; seven wonders; great dives around the world and a number of one off adventures be it skiing in France and Switzerland, hot air ballooning over Magaliesberg; fox and hound hunting in Ireland or dog sledding in the Arctic Circle.

He shares with us his mantra, “As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person by acting the life of God. Let your friends and business colleagues look up to you with respect because they see your life being lead according to great principles.” He stresses, “Make people say I want to have what you have!”

Asked who he admires, he simply responds, “Sir Rudolph Fiennes, the world’s greatest living explorer!”

And what does he pack first before he disappears on another awe-inspiring voyage, “Several things in fact – my Bible, a wind-breaker, compass and a bottle of Whiskey.” he concludes with a smile.

So this weekend, look to the horizon as we watch out for one of our local modern day explorers undertaking the Colorpress Vasco da Gama as he successfully finishes offshore of Durban.

For more info on Paul go to www.paulerskine.co.za

Chatting to sailor Chris Frost

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Chris Frost

Umhlanga’s Chris Frost will be taking to the high seas to compete in the upcoming Colorpress Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club that begins in Maputo this Thursday (2 May).

Frost will be competing in his ninth Vasco, the toughest ocean race in Southern Africa. “It has been a while since I last competed in a Vasco, the last time was in 2008 for the RNYC 150^th anniversary race.”

Previously in 2006, Frost and his crew set a new course record and was the first yacht across the line. As the fleet of 14 yachts line up to tackle the 2013 race, Frost’s remarkable record still stands, “We had superb conditions ion 2006 in a 25 knot north easterly until Tugela where we were hit by a 50 knot westerly front.  Before then we had an eta Durban of below 22 hours!  We shredded our main in the westerly, essentially finishing with a flat tyre. That we set a good record that has stood seven years in those conditions was extraordinary.”

“I love sailing offshore, it is far more exhilarating than dam or bay racing, and Durban is one of the best places to sail, doesn’t get better. Warm water, great swell and good wind, year round!” Frost boasts about his hometown turf.

The experienced sailor has had a busy sailing month, having just won the double in the Inhaca Island to Richard’s Bay Race, being the first yacht across the line and winning on handicap. “It was a good warm up for us for the Vasco. Southern Storm performed well in the light conditions and I am looking forward to feeling her surf down the swells this weekend.”

Southern Storm will have the same crew as the Inhaca Race, “The crew were simply fantastic, a mix of experienced yachtsman like Long John Lupton – Smith and Gerrie Boshoff who have sailed with me for years and talented youth sailors such as Gareth Elias and Tamzin Gennissen. Gareth and Tamzin are flying in from Turkey to compete.”

Frost took a year off from competitive sailing in 2012, “I took a year off competitive sailing in 2012 because the previous year, 2011 I did my international programme and felt like a break, with more emphasis on cruising to avoid burn out.”

In 2011 Frost took his yacht Prodigy to victory in the Cape to Rio Race, “2011 was a great year, we broke the course record for the Heineken Cape to Rio race, and I still hold that title, along with being the defending champion for this transatlantic race. A few months later, I competed in the New York Yacht Clubs’ Transatlantic Race to Lands’ End in the United Kingdom. We also entered the Fastnet Race that year.”

The highly decorated sailor, who has been sailing for around forty years, still has a number of events that he would like to compete in, “There are a few international races that I want to tick off, the Fastnet, Rolex Middle Sea Race; Newport Bermuda Race and the Rolex Sydney to Hobart are absolute musts.”  

Pausing, he states, “I also want to continue cruising the world’s best and most exotic sailing areas.” Each year the Frost family spend about four weeks cruising on a 60ft Catamaran named Salty Dog. “We have been lucky enough to have cruised Bazaruto, Pemba, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Balearic Islands, Malta, Greece and Turkey over the past six years.”

Asked what he most enjoys about sailing, he says, “Predominantly the competition! When we are surfing at 25 plus knots, at the front of the fleet on Prodigy IV, a Simonis Voogd Design 54, life is absolutely invigorating.” he states beaming.

The long range weather is looking good for the fleet as they all navigate their way back from Maputo, finishing offshore of Durban.

“It promises to be a cracker of a race, this year we have a quality fleet with guys from around the county crewing, so it is going to be interesting. Seeing the different strategies play out as we charge down the coastline back home.” Frost concludes.

ENDS

Chatting to sailor Jof Heathcote

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Jof Heathcote

The towering frame of Durban’s top sailor Jof Heathcote saunters along the mooring at the Durban Marina, completely at home nestled in amongst the majestic yachts.

Heathcote is preparing for the big international race on the South African sailing calendar, the Colorpress Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club racing from Maputo to Durban that starts next week. This is the 45^th running of the Vasco, one of the toughest ocean races in Southern Africa.

“Generally if you need navigation lights, you don’t need me. I am not too big on the long distance stuff, so that almost rules out sailing to any destination as such. I am just doing this Vasco as I haven’t done one in a while and felt like it was time to give it another go.”  he shares.

Continuing, he comments smiling “Round-the-cans racing is more my style. I like a hot shower and my bed too much.”

Heathcote was a member of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Lipton Challenge Cup team that pried the trophy away from the recent Western Cape domination. “Winning the Lipton Cup last year with a bunch of good mates and bringing the event back to Durban after a long absence was pretty cool and must be right up there!”

“Some of the other Lipton campaigns I have done previously were very rewarding in terms of the results we got, always with some level of handicap to the programmes.”

The quietly determined sailor admits, “Let’s just say I began sailing a while ago. I sailed my first Optimist regatta when it costs about R2 for the entry fee, and that covered 4 consecutive Saturdays, and also included lunch and a drink at the club before sailing too. I was a late developer though as I only really got remotely competitive in my mid-teens”

And competitive he has been, since his ‘late development’ he was crowned as the 5^th Sprog National Champion in December last year, ten years after he first won it. “I have been lucky enough to do lots of sailing on the SA coast and made the trip up to Mozambique quite a few times. I did one South Atlantic Race and the horrible return trip. While in Europe I tried not to sail big boats much but gained some invaluable experience sailing and competing in the UK, Spain, Portugal, France, Holland, Denmark and Norway.”

“Heaven for me would be sailing a 49er upwind in 20knots gliding across flat water. But I am looking forward to the run down the coast on Bellatrix, a Beneteau First 40; we have a fun experienced team on board. And she makes a change to the racing boats I am used to, she is very comfortable to be on and with the fine tuning that we have been busy doing should be a dream to sail.”

Counting, he claims, “I think I have done three or four Vasco’s when it used to race down to East London, and I have done two since it returned back to its original start in Maputo.”

The Vasco is renowned to be a demanding navigator’s race, “I am technically minded, so definitely appreciate the technical side of the sport, but I also really enjoy how it mixes with the art side too. Some people just feel and know what to do. Some of us have to think about it a lot. Then you throw in the athletic or fitness bit, which most sailors neglect and you have this amazing mix where a multitude of different approaches and techniques can result in success.”

Away from sailing, Heathcote used to cycle and race a lot but since being knocked down soon after the Lipton Challenge Cup last year, suffering a severe shoulder injury he rides a lot less, “The roads in Durban aren’t conducive to riding and the abundance of 4x4 drivers who run you over also put me off a bit. I suppose windsurfing is a hobby too really, as I am pretty bad at it but I aim to start trying forward loops, which is pretty high on my bucket list.” he states with a twinkle in his eye.

The young sailor had a successful undergrad year where he won a bunch of local events and was recognised for his achievements, being awarded the UKZN Sportsman of the Year, “I really enjoyed that as it felt like proof that sailing can get recognition against the mainstream sports too.”

Heathcote and his team on Bellatrix are hoping to add the title of 45^th Colorpress Vasco da Gama to their list of achievements; they will have to work hard as this year a quality fleet of 18 yachts will be lining up at the start in Maputo with the same intentions as Bellatrix.

ENDS

Chatting to sailor Jeff Rose

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Jeff Rose

Crouching at the front of the yacht, the lanky frame of Jeff Rose stashes away more cool drinks into the hold before the crew’s departure for the upcoming 45^th Colorpress Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club.

This will be the second time that the Durban North sailor will be competing in the toughest blue water race in Southern Africa, “Your first Vasco is always memorable but I am excited about this race as it will be my first sailing with my regular team. Our skipper, Graham Rose has put together a really good balance of eight guys.”

“Our team have been sailing together regularly for the last three seasons preparing for this moment and are now looking to make an impression in ocean sailing. We are competing on a Lavranos 34 foot keeler named Zap, a very capable boat originally designed for the testing conditions around Cape Town.”

Zap has been fitted with a new set of sails and a gorgeous new spinnaker, “We have done some training with the new sails and are delighted at the performance of the yacht. We are now just hoping we can use them to their optimum on the run back from Maputo.” Rose said with a smile in his eyes.

The wirey lad was born up in Mtunzini less than a quarter of a century ago, “We moved to Durban when I was two. I was introduced to sailing at Midmar Dam during school holidays when I was younger but rekindled my adventure with sailing about four years ago.”

“I enjoy sailing Flying Fifteens but have to admit that keelboats are my preferred medium. I am keen to do some longer distance ocean racing in the near future. One of my dream races to compete in would have to be the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, although the next Cape to Rio is a strong possibility.”

“Sailing for me is definitely a way of life, it has had a serious impact and once you have experienced the adventure, life will never be quite the same again.” comments a thoughtful Rose.

“We are very spoilt in Durban with world class sailing taking place all the time, right on our doorstep.” enthuses the fledgling seafarer.

Talking about life away from sailing, Rose shares, “I have managed to complete my BCom in Marketing Management through UNISA but balanced my studies with a lot of travelling.” He states.

Continuing he says, “I have visited fascinating places including China, Israel, Germany and the more conventional English destinations of the UK, USA and Australia. All of them were truly amazing, and all so different to each other.”

“There are still so many places I would like to visit but the next few,” pausing as he deliberates, “will be reached by yacht!”

For now, his passport will be stamped by our neighbours as he heads up to the start in Maputo to take to the high seas for the upcoming 45^th Colorpress Vasco da Gama.

Concluding, Rose declares, “It’s always a motivating feeling putting up the spinnaker and surfing some big swells. I sincerely hope the conditions for the Vasco will allow for us to do this.”

ENDS

Chatting to sailor Chris Coxen

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Chris Coxen

Pinetown resident, Chris Coxen will be taking to the high seas when he competes in the upcoming 45^th Colorpress Vasco da Gama International Ocean Race hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club.

This will be the second time that Coxen is tackling the toughest International blue water event in Southern Africa that will have a fleet of 18 yachts racing from Maputo to Durban next week.

“I think we are just about ready, just running around getting last minute things like essential provisions, squeezing training in where we can, and doing some finishing touches to the boat. But the important items have been attended to.”

Coxen, who is a crew member on the L34 yacht Zap, skippered by Graham Rose, said “I consider myself more of a casual sailor, I sail when and where I can. I have been involved in the support side of sailing helping the club with rescue duties at regattas and races.”

Coxen who has been sailing since September 2010 has learnt the ropes on two sorts of keelboats, “I can’t say which is my favourite as both have their own benefits but I have crewed on a racer / cruiser and also a cruising yacht.”

“Sailing is unpredictable, each time is different and you almost always have a story afterwards.” The young sailor enthuses.

Zap, sporting a brand new set of sails and a spinnaker is one of two L34’s that will be competing in the quality fleet. “We are hoping with the new sails we will have a remarkably faster race. Every single time we have been out on the water this year, we have improved our time and performance significantly.”

Chatting about his dreams, he says, “I have been lucky enough to travel a bit all ready, but I relish an island escape, I would have to say this features right up there on my bucket list.  If I had to pick a destination it would probably be around the Philippines, or anywhere with lots of islands. The idea of a tropical island escape, turquoise blue ocean, palm trees, sailing, it all just sounds magnificent.” 

“I spend majority of my time on a computer when I am not sailing, I work in IT so I am really looking forward to the break and getting a taste of the tropics. This time, we will have some time in Mozambique before the race.”

When not on the water or at his computer, the fit figure claims, “I am an avid Sharks supporter but can never watch them play otherwise they lose. I have concluded that I am a bad luck omen for my favourite team.”

“I also play cricket from time to time, I love the game. I am watching the Pepsi IPL unfold in India with great interest as the usual suspects seem to be outclassed by the new kids on the block!”

Hoping to take a page out of the underdog cricket stars book, Coxen and his team on Zap are holding thumbs for a fantastic run back to Durban, “Ideal conditions, 10knots picking up to around 18 knots of wind, with a fair swell of 2 meters, for some downwind surfing and slightly overcast for the occasional bit of shade now and then. That would be bliss!”

ENDS

Chatting to sailor William Crockett

Royal Natal Yacht Club
William Crockett

“I believe we have a strong team with a good mix of youth and experience!” states Cape Townian resident, William Crockett (21) ahead of the upcoming Colorpress Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club that starts on Thursday 2 May in Maputo.

Crockett who grew up in the Highway area gleaned his knowledge sailing the warm Indian Ocean. “I can’t remember how old I was, but I know that I was very young, and I actually didn’t enjoy it the first time out on the water.” he states.

“I would sit endlessly at Midmar Dam and watch my dad sail. Eventually I asked him to take me again, and I guess after that I was hooked.”

Contemplating, Crockett says, “Looking back, life would have been very different had I stayed on the shore. My entire school career was spent working out how to get away from school to go sailing!”

Crockett will be sailing on the Choose Life Pacer skippered by Offshore Sailing Academy’s Luke Wagner. “We have tons of experience onboard. We have a couple of guys who have been involved in a few Lipton Challenge Cup campaigns and some talentedly inspiring guys.”

Renowned Cape Town sailor Greg Davies is part of the crew, “I have sailed with Davies before in a Vasco and it was a great experience. Ian Wolmarans is also making the trek up from the Cape; he is one of the top bowman around. Gregg De Bayer is a man with extensive knowledge of the coastline, I am sure we will all learn something from him.”

The keen lad will be in charge of navigation during the race, “I love that side of things, give me a challenge and I am up for it! Give me a destination, and I will plot the journey. I will have loads of practice in the 300 nautical miles from Maputo!” he says cheerfully.

This being his sixth Vasco, with his first being when he was 12 years old, he has loads of experience sailing along the difficult stretch of coastline. “My first Vasco I sailed it with Dave Cox, that was awesome. Then I missed a year before coming back to sail with John Martin. I did two more after that on Gumption with Nicholas Mace and a bunch of Shosholoza crew members. That was eye-opening!”

He continues, “I was forced to miss a Vasco when I was in Matric. My mother believed my schoolwork was more important than sailing. And then I completed the 2011 Vasco with our then Lipton Challenge Cup team which was good fun!”

Reminiscing, Crockett says, “Gumption, now there’s a boat! She was my ‘High School Sweetheart’. This boat kick-started my career, she is absolutely amazing to sail downwind in big breeze. I have had the privilege of sailing on some fantastic crafts; Gumption comes a close second to my all-time favourite Highland Fling. She is an R/P82 based in the Med, 82feet of all carbon racing, super-fast in any conditions.”

Stating who he most admires in the sport, Crockett says without having to consider the question, “I have two roles models in life. I am honoured and proud to say that my Dad, Richard Crockett is one of them. Being a Springbok sailor, his passion and enthusiasm for sailing easily enveloped you. He got me involved in this sport which is now my life!”

“The second is John Martin who I sailed a Vasco with. I have the utmost respect for him, after all had it not been for him I would not be making my impact on the racing scene in this country.”

Asked what he is hoping for in the upcoming Vasco, “Conditions, there is only one for most sailors! Flying down a “mine shaft” at 2am with a big spinnaker up in the pitch black, that’s always loads of fun, and a sure way to get the adrenaline up and blow the cobwebs out! The competitiveness, I love the thrill of the competition, and the adrenaline rush on the start line. But this can be said for all sailing! I also enjoy dinghy sailing, where it is just you and your boat, and you are the one who controls your outcome”

Durban awaits the outcome eagerly for the 45th Colorpress Vasco da Gama as Crockett along with a fleet of 14 yachts taking up the tough challenge of the ocean race that ends in Durban.

ENDS

All Lipton Challenge Cup pictures from last year taken by Trevor Wilkins.

Chatting to sailor Lloyd Clark

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Lloyd Clark

“This will be my first of…” with a naughty smile, Durban’s Lloyd Clark ponders, “Well we’ll see when I get back as to how many I will do. Maybe it’s a limited edition?”

Talented sailor, Clark is referring to competing in the toughest ocean race in Southern Africa, the upcoming Colorpress Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club. A quality fleet of 18 yachts will line up at the start of the international race in Maputo and Clark will be on one of those yachts, ready to tackle the Indian Ocean.

“It’s a little intense being my first Vasco, I don’t even know what I don’t know yet!” he states slightly bemused. “With the training and practice it has been a pretty steep learning curve but it’s fantastic to get out of a comfort zone and push your limits. It has been quite a lot of work getting the boat ready too, new riggings, new sails and whatever we can do to eek a little more speed out of her. It is definitely a scramble” Clark shares.

“We have been doing that successfully in the summer sailing season, each time we get out onto the water we shave some more time off our performance and get the yacht going faster. The revamp that we have done will certainly help as well.”

Clark who began sailing a mere two and a half years ago has become a permanent team member on the L34 yacht Zap. “My best boat to sail on, Zap of course. It’s not about the yacht, it’s about the company and we have an awesome captain, in Graham Rose, and the crew. We have been sailing together for over two years now. I love the sense of humour on that boat, great guys!”

Laughing he states, “My achievement in sailing, well I haven’t fallen off the boat yet!”

Clark who is still in his twenties is looking forward to his future in sailing, “Exotic destinations, by boat? Nowhere yet besides Coopers Lighthouse and the Tugela river mouth,” he says with a chuckle, “but the horizon calls strongly and Maputo is up soon. I am sure it will be first of many new places to see and experience. That’s the freedom sailing offers you.”

Zealously, he continues, “Sailing gives you a sense of freedom, that you really could go anywhere should you want to. Life is much more peaceful out there, it allows you to step out of your existence as you know it and almost view it from the outside. On the opposite side it is extreme, intense and downright scary at times. It’s a rush and a tranquiliser all rolled into one, you never quite know what Mother Nature is going to dish up. It’s humbling to realise how small and insignificant you actually are in comparison to the big blue and how effortlessly and remorselessly it could just swallow you. It’s a strangely freeing experience being brought to that realisation.”

The surprising package, Clark divulges, “I have participated in three world champs in the lesser known genre of Mindsports, which is a strategic historical war game. I attained my Protea Colours and represented South Africa twice, in New Orleans and on home soil in Port Elizabeth.”

He dons a black belt or Shodan in Kyokushin, a full contact style of karate which he was awarded last year. “I am getting into gyming now, enjoying getting fitter and stronger. I started shooting as well as I aim to take up competitive tactical shooting.”

“Since I was five, I have always wanted to drive through Africa especially through places like Dar Es Salaam and Marrakech and I am now one step closer. I purchased a 4x4 last year and have fallen in love with off-roading. It has allowed me to be immersed in the beauty of South Africa off the beaten track! Every chance I get, I disappear to somewhere I have never been to.”

“The highlight was lying on a deserted beach at Bhanga Nek, Kosi Bay with seven friends at the beginning of this year watching the full moon over the ocean when a leatherback turtle came out of the water and shuffled straight up the beach between us to lay its eggs. Truly a once in a lifetime experience, it really was a majestic moment.” Clark says distractedly.

The seafarer is now on the verge of another majestic moment when he takes to the high seas for the Colorpress Vasco da Gama, “Sitting on the rail watching a sunset over smooth seas with a fair breeze bringing new adventure ever closer.”

Clark is certainly going to go places with his enthusiasm and call for adventure as he slowly starts ticking off items from his extensive and exciting bucket list.

Chatting to sailor Gregg Hurter

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Gregg Hurter

The tough Colorpress Vasco da Gama is known to be a navigator’s race, on meeting Morningside sailor, Gregg Hurter I overhear him speaking on the phone informing the other person that whoever brings their reading glasses with will be the selected navigator.

This is the man who is a well-known personality in the Durban sailing community, his sense of humour is evident during the time spent with him.

“I own too many boats than I should,” he begins and then corrects himself. “Actually, I own far too many boats than I should.”

Hurter began sailing up in Zululand when he was about 8 years old, he began on a Mirror called Colander, he laughs, “If you have ever built a Mirror you will know why, it was held together by stitches and glue and had a lot of holes!”

“Growing up, my Dad was the Commodore for the Zululand Yacht Club, I was about 4 when he built me a Dabbie and proudly took me sailing in Richards Bay. Drama struck when he toppled overboard with tiller in hand, a vital ingredient to any boat as I sailed into off the distance.” He says with a wicked grin, “Took me years to recover from that!”

As the son of a young engineer, the Hurters moved around a lot, “I lived in Zululand, the States - that would be our very own Free State, Cape Town, Johannesburg but eventually settled in Durban. I went to ten schools... finishing at Hilton in 1979. I am fine.” He states with a twinkle in his eye, before adding, “Really!”

By day, Hurter works for a company that re-refines waste oil, overseeing new projects from the start and then doing the automation and control at the end. “I studied Mechanical Engineering at Durban Varsity and since graduating I have mainly worked in the field of automation and control.” adding in cheerfully, “I did fly the company plane for 20 years. That was interesting.”

Father of two active young boys, Hurter shares a lot of their interests, “Euan, my oldest sails with me and is an automatic crew member, school work depending. I would like to do some sailing in Europe with him on year. My youngest, Sean is more into computers and needs a bit of encouragement to get out on the water. He sails a Dabbie and a 29er with Euan.”

Gearing up for the tough international ocean race, Hurter says, “There was a wrinkle as we had to replace the prop, but otherwise preparations are going well.  We have a great crew.  It's not easy to get ten people together for the race, but we have a solid team.”

“I have sailed in many Vasco’s, my first was in 1980 when they were run down to East London. For a number of years I helped with air surveillance until the advent of tracking and cell phones. My first was on a yacht named Red Amber, then I sailed on some L34’s, an R&G40, then more L34’s. It all gets a bit blurry.”

In recent times I have done one Vasco from Maputo, on a gorgeous Beneteau First 40 called BMA. I fell in love with her and when her owner decided to sell her, my name was first on the list to buy. We renamed her Bellatrix and this year my crew and I will be racing her down from Maputo.”

“She is a dream to sail on, one of my best yachts to helm. But I also love Flying Spaghetti Monster; she was a performance yacht, fast in the water. In the smaller boats, bolting across the water in a 505 when it doesn’t break me is an adrenaline surge. I won the 9hour on my 505, which was quite something!”

Having competed in two Mauritius races, explored the waters of the Caribbean, sailed across the Bay of Biscay in Europe and all around the Mediterranean, Hurter certainly is an accomplished sailor, “I didn’t like Tunisia.” he comments. “I would like to do some of the UK regattas, Cork Week sounds fun. Occasionally I consider doing the Hobart race but I believe there are more fun things to do!”

“Sailing is magical. When you explain to someone who has never sailed before, they don’t understand the call or attraction to the sea but it is just that, magical. Sailing on the bigger keelboats, the whole team aspect working together to get the beast moving is great. Being offshore and enjoying the outdoors, gorgeous. Of course racing the dinghies is completely different, it’s more you and the boat and far less admin!”

Outside of sailing, his hobbies are music and when he has time, woodwork. “I am trying to cycle more too,” he claims sincerely.

Cycling will have to wait as for now, all his concentration, and remembering to pack his glasses, is on the upcoming Colorpress Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club. Concluding he says, “Ideal conditions, fantastic downwind surfs offshore, in warm weather! Aren't we lucky to live in paradise?”