Running the Rhumblines

by Ian Grant on 2 Jul 2002 Foundation and long-term members of the Whitsunday Sailing Club are mourning the death of their dedicated mate and Life Member John Bowman affectionately respected around the Airlie Beach waterfront and other places as Big JB.

JB was one of those rare people who generously gave his time to ensure the local community provided the character building environment for our youth in the sport of sailing.

Being a foundation member of the WSC and cracking rocks to lay a smoother road to access the water, and then be in the team to cart sand and build a beach and the WSC Club house were not terribly important to him because he felt it was his personal responsibility and duty to help others.

This was his philosophy, which paved the way to the introduction to many of his friends who speak highly of JB and his role in the development of the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

Fellow foundation member former club president and deserved life-member Ian 'Frog' Davey a regular 'play-mate' in the company of JB had a special reason to toast the friendship at the wake.

'JB was a big man with an even larger heart when it came to helping mates and community organizations, no task was to small or too large, he was always on hand to skipper his barge Major Dundee as the official 'flagship' for The Great Whitsunday Fun Race'. Davey said.

It would be to difficult to cost the time and services JB happily provided to both the sailing club and the community his presence will be sadly missed however he can rest in peace after providing a legacy of labour which will continue to benefit the sport of sailing at Airlie Beach.

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Australian Olympic sailing squad Mistral board sailor Michael Lacey had an attentive audience when he conducted a special coaching clinic at the Whitsunday Sailing Club earlier this week.

Lacey a super fit athlete who will represent Australia in major International events in Europe later this month as part of his selection criteria for the Athens Olympic regatta in 2004 headed a special coaching clinic for 30 youth and primary school sailors representing clubs between Mackay and Home Hill.

The clinic sponsored and arranged by the Queensland Yachting Association Whitsunday regional development committee tutored the sailing students on tactical and race preparation, boat handling skills, rules and personal fitness.

Australian 29er Sailing champion Renee Linton from Ayr and champion North Queensland Sabot Sailor Jamie Jocheim were two talented young sailors who gained significant benefit from Lacey's informative clinic.

The Whitsunday Sailing Club will host another QYA hosted sail improvement clinic during the September school holidays.

Further information on learn to sail classes and enrolment for the QYA clinics is available from the WSC on 4946 6138.