From underwater to Top of the Bay
by Mark Seagar on 30 May 2010
Eric Wegman Mark Seagar
Royal Brighton Yacht Club has a new General Manager. Eric Wegman moved across from Sydney where he managed Middle Harbour Yacht Club to take over the helm at the Club on Port Philip Bay. Born 'beneath sea-level' in the Netherlands, Eric professes 'my life has always led me to stay close to the sea where I am happiest.'
As a youngster Eric learned to sail on the muddy lakes and narrow canals in the Dutch province of Friesland, but moved to New Zealand when quite young with his parents. He is qualified with an Executive MBA from the University of Auckland, and has a background is in public affairs, plus hotel management and marketing. He has a wife with family in Brighton, and two children, aged 12 and 10, keen sailors themselves.
Royal Brighton Yacht Club runs successful learn-to-sail programs in its 'pond' behind the breakwater, seeing its youngsters as the lifeblood to the future of the Club. As per Eric's example, yachting can offer a lifetime of enjoyment across generations. Most often it is parents or even grandparents who introduce kids to sailing, but interestingly the Club now also sees its junior and youth sailors convincing their parents to give the sport a go. As a result several boats in the recent Twilight series and now over the winter series have new adults crew on board 'learning the ropes'.
The Club actively welcomes new crew of both genders and all abilities; the Bliss (Brighton Ladies in Sailing) regatta sponsored by Pandora held last weekend was a great success with over 90 participants reflected the strength of women's sailing at the Club, and previous sailing experience is not a pre-requisite to take up the sport. For those less competitive at heart, the Club has an active cruising division too, which organises regular social events.
As Mr Wegman suggests 'we actively encourage new adult crew for our keel-boat sailing. The first three sails are always free, thereafter we ask you to join the Club by taking advantage of the new crew membership category at the Club'.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/70130
