Dad show kids that he’s still got it!

by Suellen Hurling on 19 Dec 2016 Starlings.

More than a youth boat!

In the final three Royal Akarana Yacht Club, The Boat Builders Summer Series, races for the season, father of two Dave Liefting rigged a Starling and hit the race course to show the kids that “dad’s still got it.”

Racing against his eldest child Eli, who recently won the coveted Yachting New Zealand Emerging Talent Award, held his own in the choppy conditions finishing fourth, third and second across the three races.

“It was great being out there!” said Leifting.

“Eli and I almost had a collision and then he sent me on a wild goose chase around the mark the wrong way, I think he was scared that Dad might beat him!” continued Leifting.

“Being back on the water was just a fantastic experience. The water was warm which was good because I managed to fall out of the boat with everyone watching!”

“I reckon that all I need to do is lose 40kgs then I will be on pace with the kids,” said Liefting.

Dave Liefting, now a regular volunteer with the club, used to be a 12' skiffy, “back in the day”.

The RAYC Starling fleet has grown from zero to 10 this season, with more boats set to join the club in the new year. Racing a Starling at RAYC is a unique experience, with the fleet having the opportunity to share a race course with M-Class, Flying 15’s, 12' Skiffs and 18' Skiffs.

“It’s so cool racing with the 18’s. Those guys are awesome!” said Eli Leifting post racing. “Dad is ok too I guess.”