Issue date
The Royal Akarana Yacht Club will tap into Rod Davis' vast experience after the former Olympian and America's Cup skipper was appointed the club's sailing director.
Rod Davis with some of the kids from the Akarana Sailing Academy. Photo: Suellen Davies.
Davis competed at four Olympics, winning gold for the US in 1984 and then silver with Don Cowie for New Zealand in Seoul four years later. He's also been involved with the America's Cup for 40 years, three times as a skipper and more recently as a coach - he was part of Emirates Team New Zealand's win in Bermuda last year.
Akarana is undergoing a transformation and will move into their new Hyundai Marine Sports Centre at Okahu Bay in August 2018 that will cater to sailors of all abilities from learners to high performance. Davis will further develop and strengthen the club’s existing programmes as well as expanding the academy, sailor development programmes and the on-water activities.
“I am passionate about the future of sailing, and here we have the opportunity to do something truly exceptional," Davis said. "Royal Akarana Yacht Club, already the home of blue water sailing, along with the development of the new Hyundai Marine Sports Centre, will provide a future in club sailing in both blue water and class racing, international regattas, sailing academy, marine education and water sports that will be unmatched. Simply something you have to be a part of."
See here for more on the club.
