dabchick.za.net

Ivan Gibbons – Denel and dad to 3 Dabchick experts
Mark Sadler – North Sails
Graeme Willcox – Married in UK, still winning races
Paul Willcox – Cape Town, still winning races
Ricky Robinson – Wits sailing anything,Lipton contender and Dabbie trainer
Bridgette Clayton – Varsity UCT
Bronwen Klaas – Varsity Pretoria
Brennan Robinson – Varsity Wits
Jessica Hogg – UCT
Tim Gibbons – Studying JHB
Ryan Hadley – Involved with Yachting business
Gareth Baxter – RYA Yachtmaster- delivering Leopard Cats for Tui Marine
Gillian Meintjes – studying at Stellenbosch
Matthew Bennett – Studying Wits
Tim Forson – Studying Wits
Geoff Kilpin – Dabbie site owner studying UCT
(new) Angela Fraser – studying Pretoria
(New) Tammy Benett – Working child care Alberton
(new) Tessa Morris – Studying Pretoria
(new) Owen Baxter – Manager
(New) Gillian Robinson – Sail coach to Ricky,Brennan Michaela and Ryan
(New) Kathryn Robinson – In legal profession JHB
######################################################
(New) Frank Van Barsel National Champ 1969 submitted by Dave Manley:

Hi Dave,

From Dabbies I moved on to Tempo’s, and then, from my 18th to surfing.
After completing Engineering at UCT, I moved to Europe with a suitcase and a surfboard and started working for an American oil company.
That included several years of drilling offshore North Sea.

Did occasional sailing on keelboats, but concentrated on surfing, participating twice in Surfing World Champs.
Returned to South Africa in 1998 with a wife, 3 kids and a container full of furniture and surfboards.

Since returning to SA I have been working in project management for the South African National Oil Company.
I have started sailing again, this time in a Laser at Hermanus, a wonderful stretch of water that holds many fond memories from my youth when I sailed Easter Regattas there.

Kind regards,
Frank van Baarsel

#############################################################
(New) From Graeme Willcox National Champ 1998, who modestly does not talk about his own many sailing achievements,but has passed on some useful info – thanks Graeme

In response to your where the old dabbie sailors are, I could help out with a few.
Charles Nankin (Nat Champ 1993) is married and living in the UK (still sailing and did an Americas Cup)
Gareth Blankenberg (Nat Champ 1996)is in Cape Town, 4 Lipton cups, 1 world title and 2 Olympics to his name, still sailing
Ryan Collins,( N C 1997) Working in Cape Town, still sailing Extras
Alec Lanham-love, lives in Durban,(N C 1975 & 76) 1 fireball world title to his name. Not sure if he still sails.
Gary Calderwood (my mom’s cousin),(NC 1972 & 73) lives in Cape Town and still windsurfs and Kitesurfs
Mike Hliburton (NC 1987)lives in the UK
Finn De Haan (NC 1999)lives in Cape Town and still sails
Justin Clarke lives in JHB now (NC 2001)

Graeme thank you.

Remember though, this is not only about the past champs,if you sailed a Dabbie and aged out, or you know of some other Dabbie Oldie,tell us what you/they are doing, lets keep that Dabbie spirit flying.

#############################################################
(new) Bridget Clayton National Champ 2003 & 2004

Bridget was 5 th in her first nationals on the vaal dam in 2002

In 2003 she won nationals at Wriggleswade ( and what a lovely venue that was!) , taking it from William Norton in the last race

In 2004 at Hermanus there was a 3- girl podium with bridget in 1 st place , Bronwen 2nd and megan 3 rd

This might sound like an unrepeatable performance but if you look at a couple , plus one , of the girls in our current north region fleet , the boys just better watch out .

In 2005 ricky Robinson took the trophy from Bridget at Midmar in a nail-biting last race.

Bridget has been at UCT since 2006 , and is now in her final year studying physiotherapy.

She is particularly interested in sports physio , and has helped out in the Argus, the Comrades and the Berg River canoe marathon amongst other events, and is currently team physio for theUCT under 20 rugby team.

Sailing- wise , she has continued to sail laser radial in most laser nationals , and some provincials.

She has sailed the L26 in the UCT Lipton Cup team for the past 4 years ( with several other notable dabbie sailors including ross dyer , Carla dyer , andrew james,William Norton and Danielle Jarvis )In 2010 they achieved their best ever result of 4th place.

Bridget is currently Commodore of the UCT Yacht club

In 2011 Bridget will do her community service to complete her qualification, and is hoping to get a post in rural KZN , close to Richards Bay where she is looking forward to renewing friendships with the salors from ZYC.
#######################################################################
(new) From Geoff Kilpin Dabbie site owner,Mylar sail conspirator 2007

Tom, Markus and I are all sailing Extras. Everyone else is a bit spread out – though Dani and James often sail Sonnets together and Ash still seems to like her Laser…

As for past Dabbie sailors – there are a number of us at UCT. Jess Hogg, Dani Jarvis, James Stock, Tom van der Ploeg, Ashleigh Crosland (although she did convert to Lasers after sailing Dabbies for a while) and I have all just been elected to the 2011 UCT Yacht Club committee (see http://sportsclubs.uct.ac.za/yacht/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=83&Itemid=2). Bridget Clayton (who was UCTYC commodore for the past year) and Ross Dyer were part of the team which came 4th in the Lipton Cup sailing for UCT, I was the team’s manager. Kate James is also a member of the club and there must be more that I can’t think of right now. I’m pretty sure Markus Progli sailed Dabbies as well – he’s now involved at Sailpro (http://www.sailpro.org.za/).

Thanks Geoff your continued support of the class via this website is also appreciated.

#######################################################################

on Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 11:23 PM, Malcolm Osborne wrote:
Owen,

The entry – 1974 Gillian Robinson – should actually read Gillian
Theunissen. Probably the first female national champion, went on to be a
force to be reckoned with in the Sprog class. Then married Mike Robinson
and produced the Robinson winners – Brennan, Ricky, Katherine, Ryan,
Michaela.

A generation later (20 years – 1994) , Kathryn Sadler became the 2nd
female Dabchick champion – ask Mike or Mark where she is now.

Then a scant 10 years (2003, 2004) it was Bridget Clayton.

David Hibberd was Laser Champion several times after Dabchick – now in
USA.

Michael Matter recently emigrated to Canada.

Malcolm Osborne

Thanks Malcolm, I changed Theunissen to Robinson – well spotted – yes good genes there.

Owen

#########################################################################
(New) Stephen Du Toit
Started sailing Dabbies when 13, NO Optimist sailing. Sailed last nationals in 1982 at Boskop and came 7th out of about 85 boats. Moved to Lasers afterwards and then sailed a lot of different classes. I have won 24 Nationals in the following classes, Sprog, Sonnet, Extra, Laser, Fireball and Enterprise

Stephen does not mention that his Business,performance craft,has built many top notch Dabchicks. Stephen builds in ply,but is currently producing Glass fibre boats which are proving to be very popular. Stephen is always around supporting our sailors and giving advice where he can. Thanks Boet, we appreciate it.

Owen

#########################################################################
(New) Gareth Blanckenberg
Gareth has sent in detail of what some of our past champs are up to :

1988/89 N/C Clynton Wade-Lehman – Moved to Sydney, Australia shortly after competing in the Soling at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and currently working for Bethwaite (manufacturers of 49ers amogst others)

1991/92 N/C Mark Sadler – After an America’s Cup campaign now working at North Sails, married to Robyn with two kids, still racing everything under the sun very successfully.

1993 N/C Charles Nankin – After an America’s Cup campaign, some Olympic Star racing for Portugal, now living in the UK with wife and kids

1997 N/C Ryan Collins – Living in CT, engaged to Michelle, working as an engineer, racing Extra’s

1998 N/C Graeme Willcox – Married, living in UK and working for Selden Masts, still racing regularly

1999 N/C Finn De Haan – Living and working in CT, recently returned to sailing

2000 N/C Paul Willcox – Cape Town/UK/Abu Dhabi working for Volvo 70 team

2001 N/C Justin Clark – Working and sailing in Jhb

2002 N/C Andrew Tarboton – Working in Durban and sailing Lasers pretty intensely

2003/2004 Bridgette Clayton – At UCT studying Physiotherapy, doing internship/placement next year in Richards Bay

2006 N/C Ross Dyer – At UCT, helm of their Lipton Cup team

2008 N/C Leo Davis – Been rowing at a very high level, matriculating this year, hopefully heading to uni next

Gareth thank you so much for the info. It seems like the list of our past Champs reads like a who is who in RSA sailing circles. There is one big gap in your contribution – That is N/C 1995/1996 can you please let us have your impressive C/V,and perhaps an article or 2 ???

#########################################################################

Rob Willcox is very well known in sailing circles and is a staunch supporter of the Dabchick Class. Rob has been sailing for years and still campaigns in various classes both Dinghy and Keel boat.Rob is still very competitive and is mostly seen at the front of the fleet. He started out at an early age and cut his teeth on the Dabbie. I asked for his C/V and after plenty reminders he reluctantly sent me some detail :

Sailing CV – Rob Willcox

Dinghies

I started out my sailing career at the age of 6 by crewing on Dabchicks. I later skippered them and believe I gained a fantastic sailing grounding on Dabbies for which I am very grateful. What I learnt has helped to move onto other classes and be successful. I would recommend that every young sailor sails a Dabchick some time in their Youth.

Using what I learnt on Dabchicks I moved onto Sprogs and 505’s, progressing to buying my own 505’s Finn’s Fireballs and Flying Dutchman.

I have won National Championships in the following classes:

Flying Dutchman x 5 – (skipper)
505 x 8 – (skipper)

I was a top three finisher in National Championships in the following classes:

Flying Dutchman
505

I have won Provincial Championships in the following:
Flying Dutchman x 8 – (skipper)
505 x 9 – (skipper)
Finn
505 x 2 – (crew)
Dabchick
3

I was a top three finisher in Provincial Championships in the following:
Flying Dutchman
505
Fireball
Finn
Sprog

Have sailed in numerous other dinghy regattas – too many to mention.

Multi – hull

I was a top three finisher in National Championship for the following:
Tornado – 3rd

Keelboats

I have won National Championships in the following Classes:
L26 – (as Skipper) x 2

I was a top three finisher in National Championships in the following:
J22 – (Skipper) x 2nd
L26 – (Skipper and crew)
L34 – (Skipper x3 and crew x 1)

I have won Provincial Championships in the following:
J22 – (Skipper)
L26 – (Skipper and Crew)
L34 – (Skipper)

I was a top three finisher in Provincial Championships in the following:
J22 – (Skipper)
L26 – (Skipper and crew)
L34 – (Skipper and crew) x 2nd & 3rd

Other events that I have taken part in, some I won or was in the Top 3 but I have enjoyed them all. This includes boats larger than 9 meters:

Vasco Race

Benetau 34 x 1 – (Helmsman) and was part of the delivery back to Durban
L34 x 3 – (Twice skipper and once crew/ helmsman)
J33 x 1 – (Crew/helmsman)
Durban to Richards Bay – Benetau 34 – (never got back – blowing too hard – helmsman)
Cape Town – Kommetjie – Saldhana and back to Cape Town x 4 Benetau 405, Swan 42, Lavranos 42 and Simonis 35 – ( 1 x Skipper, 2 x crew/shipper and 1 x crew)
Delivery from East London to Port Elizabeth – (L34 Skipper)
Mykonos Race – Warrior (65Ft) – (Crew/helmsman)

Round the Island Race:

Farr 38 – Skaddale x3 – (crew/skipper)
Farr 38 – Madam Pizzas – (skipper)
Dudley Dix 38 – Didi – (Skipper)
F27 Trimaran – (crew/skipper)
J27 – (Skipper)
L26 x 6 – (Skipper)
J22 – (Skipper)

Big Boat Regatta:

Dudley Dix 38 – Didi – (Skipper)
Farr 38 – Madam Pizzas – (Skipper)
Simonis 35 – Cio Bela – (Skipper)

NCS/MSC Week – Durban

Sailed most years since 1985 on the following:
Benetau 34 – (Skipper)
L34 – (Skipper x2 and Crew x2)
Fast 42 – (Crew)
L26 – (Skipper mostly and crew)
J22 – (crew)
J27 – (Skipper x2)
Melges 24 – (Skipper x2)

World Championships

Flying Dutchman – 1977, 1981, 1982 and 1992 (restricted during that period by sport sanctions against RSA)
505 – 1979, 1980, 1984 and 2004 (also sanction restrictions)
J22 – 1997

Colours

Springbok
TSA/ NSA – (Sailing and administration colours)
SAS – (Sailing and coach/manager colours)
VLC

Once again,Rob’s C/V goes to prove that learning the ropes on Dabchicks can be a fantastic stepping stone to bigger things. We are proud of our heritage, remember some might not make National colours, but go on to become sailors who sail for “The Lekker”. The sport needs these guys as well.

Rob,thanks for the info.

Owen

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Following from Wouter Langhout :

1990 Stefan Aspeling: after dabbies moved on to laser’s and performed very well, i think he might have won a laser nationals (I could be mistaken, but was certainly in the top of the field). Also sailed in a few world champs in the laser class. Then moved on to road cycling and mountain biking where he performed exeptionally well! (Top 5 in SA for a few years running) He then moved to Australia, where I beleive he is still today. Sailing wise, i’m sure he is still out on the water in some sort of boat!

1994 Katherine Sadler (note the spelling of her name : Moved on to double handed dinghies, sprogs, laser 2, 470 where Emma Wright crewed for her in most events, they also qualified to represent SA in the 420 class in the 1997 Isaf Youth Worlds in Japan. I beleive Katherine is still in the Jhb area and sailing whenever she gets a chance.

As for myself, not being a past winner but runner-up to Greame Willcox in 1998 (he was pretty much unbeatable that year), I still sailed a few years as crew for Greame on the Laser 2, 505 and various other boats where we did pretty well. Sailed together in the 420′s ’97 Isaf Youth Worlds, and the J80 at the Isaf Worlds in France 2002 with Paul Willcox and Grant Parker as the other crew members (all ex-dabbie sailors). After completing my studies I moved to Namibia and have been here ever since, running an Optometry business. Sailing wise, well it’s Namibia not many water ways to practice the sport We do howhever have a Stadt23 at Walvisbay and try and sail as often as work permits.

As far as the Dabbie goes, I believe it’s an awesome boat to learn many skills and certainly provided myself with a stern backbone to competitive sailing.

Thanks Wouter, give my regards to Namibia, I will be going to Epupa falls via Etosha and Omaruru next week. I did a bit of keelboating out of Walvis Bay in the 80′s,great memories.

Wouter’s dad Cor,is on our Technical committee and has been a staunch supporter of the class for many years.

Thanks for the updates.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I saw your post on dabchick.za.net and thought it would be fun to reply! I campaigned a home built dabbie, D2457, in various provincial and national regattas, but not very often. Mainly I sailed at club level up until about 1971 (Ladysmith Boating Club or LBC). After Dabbies, I briefly sailed Sprogs and won the 1972 LM Winter Regatta and 1973 SA Games against some other ex dabbie sailors like Colin Dibb and Tuffie Hancock who were old rivals from Dabbie days. Soon after, I went marathon and X-country running and won Natal colours before emigrating to Australia. I have only recently returned to sailing and now sail a Goat Island Skiff (pics attached), and am an “almost retired banker”! Cheers Bruce Taylor D2457 Click here to see Bruce’s boat ?ui=2&ik=60765880c4&view=att&th=12d7874e58720b26&attid=0.2&disp=thd&zw

Thanks Bruce for the Mail, bet a Dabbie will sail rings around your Aussie special  LOL

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

<em>Here is our list of Past champs – What are they doing,send me the detail Please
1969 Frank van Barsel
1970 Not Held
1971 Brian Downham
1972 Gary Calderwood
1973 Gary Calderwood
1974 Gillian Robinson
1975 Alec Lanham-Love
1976 Alec Lanham-Love
1977 Ivan Gibbons
1978 Nicholas Matter
1979 Craig Lanham-Love
1980 Martin Prest
1981 Michael Matter
1982 David Hibberd
1983 Oscar de Weyer
1984 Anthony Donkin
1985 Greg Ball
1986 Martin Prest
1987 Michael Haliburton
1988 Clynton Wade-Lehman
1989 Clynton Wade-Lehman
1990 Stefan Aspeling
1991 Mark Sadler
1992 Mark Sadler
1993 Charles Nankin
1994 Kathryn Sadler
1995 Gareth Blanckenberg
1996 Gareth Blanckenberg
1997 Ryan Collins
1998 Graeme Willcox
1999 Finn de Haan
2000 Paul Willcox
2001 Justin Clark
2002 Andrew Tarboton
2003 Bridget Clayton
2004 Bridget Clayton
2005 Ricky Robinson
2006 Ross Dyer
2007 James Stock
2008 Leo Davis
2009 Tim Manley

Owen