Welcome Mike Robinson as new SA Sailing President

Congratulations to Mike Robinson, who has been elected to the position of new SA Sailing President. A massive thanks to outgoing President Peter Hall for all his hard work and effort in developing the sport, and we wish him well.

We caught up with Mike to give you a bit of background on our new President:

1. What does it mean to you to be voted into this position?

My predecessors in this role have left an incredible legacy. Their vision and hard work has transformed South African Sailing. It is humbling to be considered sufficiently competent to follow in their footsteps.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish during your term as president?

During the previous tenures, a number of initiatives were launched and implemented. My role will be to consolidate this work rather than invent new wheels. I would like to achieve a united sailing community, with the interests of each discipline and all clubs being catered for, and where all members have a clear picture of the value that their membership of South African Sailing holds for them.

3. Can you tell us a bit more about your background and sailing journey?

I am from Carletonville, a former mining town on the western fringes of Gauteng. I started sailing at Boskop Yacht Club, where I am still an active member. I met my wife, Gill, while sailing Sprogs, and we have sailed together ever since – the two of us, in Sprogs, Fireballs and Darts. And as a family in a Kwagga, a Holiday 23, our cruising Trimaran and our Simonis 35, Ciao Bella. We were involved in the Windsurfer Class in its halcyon days, and have seen all of our five children through the vagaries of junior and youth sailing.

Our children’s achievements have exposed us to the challenges of international competition, our Holiday 23 and our Trimaran have taught us the pleasure to be found in cruising, and a few Rio races have shown us the joy of ocean racing.

I suppose we could be regarded as enthusiasts.

With this sailing background, I may be well placed to understand the interests of most of the different disciplines represented by South African Sailing. I hope that the various disciplines will also see me as an accessible conduit to represent their interests at Council and with the varying authorities with which they have to deal.

4. What do you think makes sailing such a great sport?

The diversity. The various disciplines, and classes within those disciplines cater for all. Sailing can and should be a sport for life.

5. How do you think we can grow the sport even more in South Africa?

Altering the perception of accessibility is one the keys to continued growth. Non-sailors need to understand the reality of the sport – its potential to accommodate interests across perceived gender, class, race, age and income barriers.

Another key is the understanding of the joy to be found in sailing, be it in fierce but friendly competition, quiet cruising, watching children grow as they master the art or blasting through the surf on a kite board.

It is difficult to convey these, and other key concepts by advertising or even by social media. A sure way is to allow people to experience the possibilities for themselves. I am planning a drive to encourage members to invite non-sailors to share their experiences, while encouraging clubs and classes to facilitate events that make this exposure possible.

Our mind-set is also very important. We always need to be the people that other people want to mix with.

6. What do you think are some of the challenges you’ll be faced with in this new position?

The immediate challenge, of course, is getting sailing going after the COVID lockdown. South African Sailing has done great work in getting sailors on the water during Level 3 lockdown, and with Level 2 on hand, access may be easier. We as a community will have lost the habit of regular sailing, and the challenge is to get enthusiastic participation back up and running as quickly as possible.

In the longer term, we face the challenge of ensuring access to our sailing waters and tenure of our sailing venues. The position of inland clubs is reasonably secure as the result of work done by previous councils, but the position of coastal clubs is more tenuous. Finding ways for South African Sailing to assist clubs to successfully secure access and tenure is a huge challenge.

7. What’s your funniest sailing memory?

Almost every regatta that we have sailed in has had a funny story to chat about on the way home. We have a litany of funny stories and happy memories that will say with us for years to come.