I started to learn to sail in 2008 on a ‘learn to sail’ holiday in the Southern Ionian, followed by theory courses locally and achieving Day Skipper practical in the Solent in 2009. We enjoyed sailing holidays in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and joined HOEOCA in 2016 when I retired from the NHS. I look forward to more opportunities to sail both in the UK and warmer climes.

My first experience of sailing was in a dinghy in Christ Church harbour with my cousins when I was a kid and I hated it...
I picked it up again in 1995 having done theory up to Yachtmaster at night school before really stepping on a boat! I joined HOEOCA the same year.
Since then I have clocked up over 25,000 sea miles having sailed with more Sailing Schools than I can remember and cruised in many locations including Scotland (which I love), the French Coast (which I also love), the Med (another great love), Ireland (I want to go back), the Faroes (was a long crossing), Teneriffe, Holland, the Caribbean and The Scillies (been lucky enough to get there twice) in addition to the traditional sailing grounds in England.
I was the first person in HOEOCA to do the Fastnet in 1997 and since then have dabbled with a few Sunsail Races and RTI campaigns.