Bryan’s Story

Bryan's sailing started when he was about 8 years of age.

The photo shows Bryan taking his younger brother for a sail in his first boat, a typical NZ youth yacht, a 7’ P class. PH 2 was the 3rd P class built in NZ and it sailed miserably. With a gaff rig, cloth sails and a heavy kauri plank timber hull, it leaked like a sieve and regularly sank. Sadly, his expectations of excellence weren’t achieved but perhaps this was where his survival instincts were honed.

He then sailed a variety of other classes throughout his youth before focusing on University study in New Zealand and later in the United Kingdom, while also dealing with the family demands of his lovely wife and young children. Following study, he had fleeting excursions back into sailing, competing in the Contender class Worlds and later in the Laser class.

Bryan's working life was spent in science. A scientist for many years, he published his research findings in NZ and international journals, before setting up his own laboratory. He engaged in contract research and development as well as offering general chemical/microbiological services to NZ Industry. Bryan's wife Faye was ‘The Organiser’, an essential member of the laboratory team.

Later, Bryan and Faye's dream life capsized when Faye was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2002. She passed away in 2004 after a courageous but all too short fight.

Shortly after, Bryan's battle with Cancer started, following that all too familiar path; Disbelief, Helplessness, Anger then Fightback through operations, treatment and passion. Emerging, Bryan's passion for sailing was reignited, this time offshore sailing beckoned. To help reach his goals he completed the NZ Coastguard Ocean Yachtmaster offshore sailing certificate.

Presently, Bryan resides in the New Zealand countryside being kept awake at nights by the farm animals and enormous insects, living next to a big boatshed, building his now pride and joy, Epiphany, his Class 40 ocean racing yacht .