Issue date
Heretaunga Boating Club members unanimously elected long serving member Ian Blair to life membership at the AGM in June.
In 1986 Ian built two Optimists so his children could join the club's learn to sail programme. After two seasons of watching from the beach at regattas all around Wellington Ian decided to have a go at sailing himself. Only a very short time in the Optimist was enough to show that a bigger boat was needed, and so was launched Ian’s career as a Sunburst sailor.
Eventually, perhaps inevitably, Ian was roped into club administration. "Ian has held most positions on the Committee, Secretary, Rear-Commodore, Vice-Commodore and then Commodore for four years. During his time as Commodore HBC held it's very successful centenary celebrations," said proposer Ray Flaws.
These days by Ian’s boat is crewed by his granddaughter and is a force to be reckoned with in a tricky Petone northwester.
Ian reflected on the pleasure that sailing, both with the club and with his family, had brought him. "Sailing at Heretaunga has been good to me and I'm sure it will be good for you too," he said.
