Committee

Matt has one sailor in Open Fleet.  He is new to sailing but enthusiastic about encouraging young people into a life long love of the water and sailing.

Barry Davies is the NZIODA Secretary. He started sailing on a Laser in his mid 20’s with the Tamaki Yacht Club and Howick Sailing Club then moved to cruising, initially with a Raven 26 then bought the Stewart 34, Pandora.

His son Brad started sailing Optimists in 1996 so he got involved too and served on the Howick Sailing Club Committee. Joined the NZIODA Committee around the year 2000 and for the next five years, helped organize the Clinics at Willow Park and also North Island Champs (they alternated between Rotorua and Lake Taupo in those years).

Barry then went on to become a National Race Officer and eventually became the Sailing Manager at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron. NZIODA honoured me with Life Membership in 2006.

Dianne and Barry left Auckland in 2010 and eventually settled in Timaru where he currently resides.

He has continued with his interest in the Optimist Class and when he saw NZIODA was searching for a new Secretary, Barry offered to take on this role. With his past experience and impartiality, he is ready to serve the Committee and the Optimist community.

Paul has returned to competitive sailing via the three children he has in the Open and Green Fleets. He now lives in Lyttelton (with grandstand views of the SailGP course) and represents the Charteris Bay Yacht Club on the NZIODA Committee.

Paul’s real passion is the outdoors, in particular the teaching and learning that comes with the experience. 

His current aims are two fold encouragement of participation in sailing and retaining Green Gleet sailors into the Open Fleet.

Having relocated to New Zealand six years ago, Chris and her family fell in love with the country’s enchanting sailing culture. Her 13-year-old son sails in the open fleet at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club. 

Chris is passionate about ensuring accessible and enjoyable sailing experiences for families, particularly those without a sailing background. Her goal is to foster inclusivity within the New Zealand sailing community.

Tony doesn’t have much of a pedigree in sailing, having only dabbled with the sport in his lates teens and early 20’s in 2-handed boats like Phase 2’s and Javelins, but does have a strong background in leadership and governance via his role as a director for a multi-national wine company. 

He has a 13 year daughter currently sailing in the Open class and a nine year old son who is still undecided about the sport.  Tony is keen to see Optimist sailing grow in the South Island in particular and would love to see more girls attracted to the sport, given the lifelong skills and opportunities it provides.

Sam overseas the Coaches Pathway and is a passionate and talented past Opti sailor, an enthusiastic coach and is currently the youth and events manager for Yachting New Zealand. He is focused on helping the committee with sailor retention and enjoyment. Sam has a small 26ft keelboat and a WASZP that doesn’t get used enough!

Although Michael has no sailing pedigree he has over 10 years experience as an opti parent with all 3 children learning to sailor at Kohimarama Yacht Club.  He was fortunate to travel and campaign with his oldest son Noah who was a member of several NZIODA teams.  His youngest child Ollie is currently in the Open Fleet.

Mathew sailed an optimist as a child at the Bucklands Beach Yacht club before continuing into other classes.

His 2 kids are currently in green fleet at Wakatere Boating Club, with the eldest ready to take the next step next season. Mat currently sails a 3.7 (to keep him out of his kids way when they are racing) as well as racing a cherub with his youngest when ever possible. Mat’s hopes are to teach kids a love of sailing and water sports that will last a life time.