Name: Peter Bennett
When and where did you learn to sail? I grew up in Herne Bay, on the North Kent coast. My parents both sailed, and the sea was always part of life as I was growing up in the 1960s. I began crewing in Albacores and then had a Cadet, learning to sail through trial and a good deal of error! Over the following decades, I had many happy years in Hornets, managing to win championships 25 years apart! I also sailed International 14s, Bosses and 505s, and have been lucky to have some really good crews over the years, including Giles Weston, John Shelton, Tyler, Phillip Ayton and most recently Andy Phillips. Then there have been a variety of single-handers including a Solo, a very old Streaker, a very challenging RS700, Phantoms, a Blaze and most recently a Hadron H2.
What do you sail now and why? For the last few years, I’ve mainly sailed Wayfarers. Much of the attraction was to have close racing, primarily with Bill and John, and that has certainly come to pass!
How long have you been a member at Shoreham and what do you like best about sailing here? I first joined Sussex Yacht Club in 1972, then SMYC (as it then was) around 1980 as the dinghy scene progressively moved downriver. I like the people, the atmosphere of hard racing but mutual support and (of course) the Real Sea Sailing!
What is your role at Shoreham SC and what made you want to do it? I’ve recently joined the committee and taken on the role of Vice Commodore. This was a vacancy that needed to be filled, and I’m happy to be giving something back to the club that has given me so many good times and friendships. I did once do a stint as Sailing Secretary: that was a long time ago, but it helped me appreciate how much work is needed behind the scenes to keep things running.
What are your sailing plans this season – whether its participating, helping out or organising? I expect to be mainly out in the Wayfarer, though there may be other things to try as well! I’ll be out on the water too for Race Officer and other duties. Meanwhile I’m currently chairing a small sub-committee looking at options for local PY handicap adjustments (probably not a recipe for popularity!!), so it will be interesting to see how that pans out.