Issue date
Sam Barnett and Zak Merton, New Zealand’s representatives for Tavira in the Boy’s 420 class, are part of the growing list of talented sailors to come out of the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club
Sam (left) and Zak on the 2014 Oceanbridge Sail Auckland podium
Sam and Zak have earned the NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team spot in the 420 back-to-back in 2013 and now 2014 despite stiff competition in both years. In 2013, when the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships were staged in Cyprus, Sam and Zak finished in 5th overall.
Sam and Zak competing in Cyprus at the 2013 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship
The pair has amassed plenty of international and big fleet experience now also attending last year’s Open 420 World Championships where they placed 15th. They will be back at this year’s Open 420 World Champs too – the regatta will be staged in Germany soon after ISAF’s pinnacle youth event.
Earlier this year they contested the RYA Youth National Champs in Weymouth where they finished a close 3rd.
Q&A with Sam Barnett
Q: How did you get into sailing?
A: I really enjoyed Waterwise at Devonport Primary, so my parents encouraged me to sign up for a learn to sail course at Wakatere Boating Club. At Wakatere Terry Nicholas coached and encouraged me to my first regatta, the Winter Champs in 2009.
Q: Favourite thing to eat after a long day on the water?
A: A healthy wrap
Q: Favourite place to sail?
A: Cyprus
Q: Which New Zealand sailors do you admire most?
A: Jo Aleh, Polly Powrie, Richard and Peter Burling
Q: What is the best thing about sailing your youth class boat?
A: The racing is really intense
Q: How will you prepare for the Youth Worlds and which regattas will you be attending in the lead-up?
A: We are putting heaps of time on the water, perfecting our technique. We went to Great Britain for the British Youth Nationals in May, as a build up, and to find out what we needed to work on before the youth worlds. We finished a close 3rd.
Q: What was the most proud moment of your sailing to date, and tell us how you felt?
A: Qualifying for the NZ Asian Champs Optimist team. It was so thrilling to realise I could achieve my goals and represent New Zealand.
Q&A with Zak Merton
Q: How did you get into sailing?
A: My father Dave took my brother and I to a learn-to-sail on his birthday. We both had a great time and I have loved it ever since.
Q: Favourite thing to eat after a long day on the water?
A: Food with sustenance.
Q: Favourite place to sail?
A: The Tauranga Harbour in the middle of summer.
Q: Which New Zealand sailors do you admire most?
A: Peter Burling, the Meechs, the Saunders and Finn Wright
Q: What is the best thing about sailing your youth class boat?
A: Working towards big regattas and the close racing.
Q: How will you prepare for the Youth Worlds and which regattas will you be attending in the lead-up?
A: This year we have done the Australian Open and Youth Nationals, the RYA British Youth Nationals, Oceanbridge Sail Auckland and the New Zealand 420 Nationals as lead up for the ISAF Youth Worlds. As part of training we are attending all of the youth clinics, training up in Auckland most weekends and getting out on the water in Tauranga as much as possible. Furthermore we are focusing on various forms of fitness and trying to eat as healthy as possible.
Q: What was the most proud moment of your sailing to date, and tell us how you felt?
A: Representing New Zealand at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Cyprus last year. I felt incredibly proud.
