Thrill-seekers … Alan (Butch) Martin, left, Howard Tomsett, Muriel Allen, and skipper John Allen, are the Hobsons Bay Yacht clubs over-sixties team. 37313 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Nicole Precel
SEA spray stings their eyes, wind pulls their hair, they’re out in the elements and their age has nothing to do with it.
Three men and one woman in their sixties who are members of the Hobsons Bay Yacht Club say age is not a factor in the sport, and neither is money.
John Allen has been a member of the yacht club for about 40 years, on the committee for 18 years and is now an honorary member.
Mr Allen said you don’t have to be superman to compete.
“It’s the thrill of sailing, you’re out in the fresh air, you’re not down the club, you’re out with the elements, that’s the thrill I get out of it,” Mr Allen said.
He says yachting is commonly considered an expensive sport, but it can be no more expensive than buying golf clubs.
“There is no reason anyone else our age can’t do this type of thing, get out and have a go,” he said.
But there have been times when Mr Allen has been afraid.
“I think that every yachtie that’s done ocean sailing, they’d be a liar if they said there wasn’t a time when they weren’t frightened,” he said.
“Every sport has an element of risk at times, those risks are very, very rare.”
The Hobsons Bay Yacht Club welcomes visitors on Wednesday nights at around 5pm.
Visitors can report to the office and should be placed on a boat.
For more information visit www.hbyc.asn.au.
