John Keates is our Vice Captain. Together with his wife Ann they are well known in the dinghy racing fleets at the club, Bob caught up with John at the Bar recently and this is what he had to say.
Bob: What brought you from the Lasers to the Fifteen fleet?
John: I’ve long been an admirer of the Fifteen. I think it looks a beautiful boat on the water. I’d always fancied having a go but thought it was too expensive for us. Then two things happened. Firstly, I stopped sailing on Saturdays because I was fed up with long laser races and secondly, Geof Gibbons put his boat up for sale at a price we could afford – bingo! It took some persuasion though to convince Ann that sharing a boat with me was a good idea!
Bob: Tell me about your sailing history
John: I came to sailing by learning how to teach sailing. Naturally, I had to learn how to sail first. I did this at Hamworthy Outdoor Education Centre by Poole Yacht Club. There I started in Wayfarers and Toppers. I distinctly remember trying to sail an albacore without a rudder (intentionally). This was tricky but it stood me in good stead when an adult I was sailing and crashed gybed in very shallow water and tore the rudder off the wayfarer we were sailing. Unfairly, I think, the Bosun made a trophy of the wreckage with my name on it and hung it on the wall of the classroom – much to the amusement of the children I was later to take down to the base! From there I took the huge step of trying to sail a laser, mostly to keep in with this girl I fancied who was rather good at it. We went on holiday, taking Ann’s laser and she attempted to teach me the basics. I often said we nearly got divorced before we got married!
Bob: What has been your best sailing experience to date?
John: Sailing a Merlin, with a friend, Richard Davies, leant to us very kindly by Dennis Brophy. It was a two-day open event. Day one out in the bay followed by a day in the Top Triangle We Pic courtesy of Lisa Randle were totally out of our depth! We spent a lot of time righting the boat and almost as much laughing about it- sorry Dennis!
Bob: What has been your worst sailing experience to date?
John: It was a three-race day in an open event (I think). I was done and dusted after two, so made my way in, not enjoying the fact that my Laser was a lot livelier than I felt on this dead run with the wind starting to blow old boots. Somewhere in the region of the box the inevitable capsize happened. After much messing about I managed to right the boat but every time I tried to clamber back aboard my life jacket kept getting caught under the gunnel. Basically, I just hung there half in half out wondering what to do. (I later learnt that an old, laminated Poole Week chart in the front pocket of my life jacket was the culprit). The wind had stopped starting to blow old boats and was now in full flow! A patrol boat came alongside so I got into that with help and then clambered across into my laser. “Are you sure you’ll be ok”, I was asked. Stinging with shame at this poor seamanship on my part, I shouted back, yes, no problem. I did get back without any other capsize but as I entered the cut a massive gust hit me. Luckily, I remembered Ann’s teaching and got back on the tank, held on to the tiller with two hands and charged in to the shore, where Ann was waiting for me (she did look a bit anxious); she had finished the third race and had been ashore for ages wondering where I was. I now don’t keep anything in the front pocket of my life-jacket!
Bob: What is the best boat you have sailed?
John: Helming the Donald Searle in a force 8 was a very exciting experience but overall I’d have to say it’s the Flying Fifteen
Bob: Upwind or Downwind?
John: Downwind in the 15 with Ann helming, upwind in the laser when I’m on my own (hard work but less likely to end in disaster!). Bob: Singlehander or doublehander? Doublehander (but if you’d told me I would say that 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you!
Bob: Light or strong winds?
John: Neither really, a force 3 suits me fine. But if I’ve got to choose, my heart says strong and my head says light!
Bob: Your favourite music genre?
John: Depends on mood. Rock (especially after a few beers) but generally I’m leaning more towards classical Bob: Football or Rugby. Much easier to answer! Rugby every day of the week and on Sundays! (which is not say, I don’t watch the footie on the tele!).
Bob: And finally Beer or Lager?
John: A strong, tasty lager is great on a hot summer’s day and that will always beat the modern craft ales that are now popular but ultimately nothing beats a pint of really fruity, old fashioned, cask ale (like Razorback or 49er), unless it’s two pints of the same, of course