James Winchester is our latest recipient of a Dream Big cheque. Attending St Johns in Nowra, he will be putting his money towards a new wetsuit and harness.
“I began sailing Hobie Cats 18 months ago after talking to my teacher Pat Butler, a local legend and lifelong Hobie sailor!
Training Saturdays, racing at Vincentia Sailing Club Sundays, and squeezing in the odd weekday after school sessions in Jervis Bay, I have travelled to Eden, Batemans Bay, Victoria, and Queensland for multiple Hobie Cat State Championships this year alone. Additionally, I competed in the Combined High Schools Sailing Championship on Lake Macquarie.
I skippered a Hobie Dragoon at the Australian Dragoon National Championships in January 2022, here in Jervis Bay, in which I came 2nd overall. Additionally, I am currently ranked 4th in Australia as crew on a Hobie 16.
I am looking forward to training on a Hobie 14, and continue to train and race Dragoons and Hobie 16’s. Forster and Palm Beach are the next Regatta locations later this year, prior to the 50th Australian Hobie Cat National Championships, taking place here in Jervis Bay from the 28th December 2022-5th January 2023, which will be hectic!
Training at the gym is helping my strength, with the next World Championships in 2 years my dream motivator!
Thanks to Elite Energy, I can purchase a new wetsuit and harness with the Dream Big Grant! Thanks to Pat, Vincentia Sailing Club & Hobie Asia Pacific for all the help they give me, especially mum, who takes me to regattas, helps to get me organised, and feeds me! I love sailing!”
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Read more about the Elite Energy Dream Big program here.