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Jack Ayers has outlived nearly three generations of crew members but that hasn’t stopped him getting out on the water.
Centenarian sailor Jack Ayers and daughter Linda Meyers returned to Montego Bay III to compete in their second consecutive Wellington veterans race.
A sailor since he was five, the 100 year old had no difficulty taking the helm of Montego Bay III for the second year in a row, leading his crew safely out to Evans Bay and Somes Island in the annual Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club veterans race .
The salty sea air proved a trusty remedy for the centenarian, who wasn’t sure he would be able to compete when he woke up that morning. Eight hours and a ham and cheese roll later, Montego Bay III finished third over the line behind winner Richard Nottage, whose yacht Maranui placed first on club handicap.
Ayers said things would have been different if he had a minute off for every year he had over the other veterans, some of them 25 years younger.
Montego Bay III owner Bob McVeagh said he was impressed with Ayers’ capability, helming with the spinnaker, and later the gennaker up. Ayers was grateful in return to Bob and his wife Margaret for hosting him and daughter Linda Meyers during the race.
Being able to compete gave Ayers a sense ofaccomplishment, he said. His only disappointment was that the weather was too good the still sunny day proved too easy for the seasoned sailor.
Ayers’ highlight was seeing a few familiar faces, including crewman Rick Holmes whose grandfather saved him from a stranding on Ward Island during his teenage years. Ayers’ first yacht was a 7-footer he bought for five pounds when he was seven years old. His father helped him build his first 10-foot boat at age 10.
“Dad was a coachbuilder and had plenty of tools, so it was easy for him,” he said.
He joined Royal Port Nicholson in 1944 and won the former Barkers Cup for motor sailers from 1946 until1950. The Karori resident spent every weekend at the club during his latter years with his drinking mates, nicknamed “death row” after one of them died at the table.
“The boys just finished their drinks and celebrated their life,” his daughter said. “They all said that would be a nice way to go, over a pint of beer at the yacht club.”
All the vitamin D must have done Ayers good. The former chemist celebrated his three digit birthday in January surrounded by 85 friends and family members in Wellington. He also received a birthday surprise on board the Interislander ferry travelling back to his family bach in the Marlborough Sounds where he spends every summer.
After mentioning his birthday to a Kaitaki staff member, they organised a VIP experience for his return inside the Premium Plus lounge, where staff sang Happy Birthday and presented him with a beautiful birthday cake.
Afterwards the captain invited them to his headquarters on the bridge of the ship, which delighted Ayers more than the other celebrations, Meyers said. “He did enjoy his birthday but being on the boat, boats being his passion, that was probably his highlight.”
