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A group of young Kiwis will next week take inspiration from one of the proudest moments from New Zealand's sailing past to help in their efforts to create a more sustainable future.
The third Blake Inspire for Sailors programme gets under way on Monday when 21 emerging sailors gather for a five-day environmental leadership development adventure.
The programme is a collaboration between Blake NZ and Yachting New Zealand and focuses on the environment and the haste with which we need to act to minimise the impact of climate change.
The participants will spend two-and-a-half days on board Steinlager 2, the boat made famous by Sir Peter Blake in winning the Whitbread Round the World Race, with visits to Tiritiri Matangi, one of New Zealand’s oldest island sanctuaries, and other special places within Auckland's Hauraki Gulf.
Back on shore, there will be opportunities to meet members of Emirates Team New Zealand, High Performance Sport NZ, and leading environmental scientists and engineers.
Yachting New Zealand national sport development director Raynor Haagh said the programme is an opportunity for young sailors to better understand the crisis facing our environment and to develop the tools to lead change at their local clubs and in their communities.
"These young sailors are our future leaders and we have seen a number of Blake Inspire for Sailors participants from previous years go on to make a meaningful impact at their clubs," Haagh said.
"We have been really impressed with the quality of applicants and it is good to see a diverse group of young people from across the country being represented at this year’s programme."
The 2023 Blake Inspire for Sailors participants are:
Holly Patterson, Whangārei Cruising Club
Lucy Ingham, Sandspit Yacht Club
Amelie Adair, Muritai Yacht Club
Alice Aastroem, Whangārei Cruising Club
Benjamin Coubrough, Heretaunga Boating Club
Emma Drinkwater, Ngaroto Sailing Club
Harris Coubrough, Heretaunga Boating Club
Mukai Duder, Devonport Yacht Club
Cameron Jones, Waimakariri Sailing Club
Natalie Mitchell, Nelson Yacht Club
Ora Mead, Worser Bay Boating Club
Jayden Murdie, Gulf Harbour Yacht Club
Zoe Chambers, Howick Sailing Club
Thomas Bil, New Plymouth Yacht Club
Kiani Christie, Whangārei Cruising Club
Eoin McGlynn, Wakatipu Yacht Club
Bohemia Sanders, Nelson Yacht Club
Edward Gravit, Point Chevalier Sailing Club
Lucy Blyth, Howick Sailing Club
Kheesa Rahman, Cambridge Yacht Club
Rachel Croft, Naval Point Yacht Club
