The Coaching Team

Seeing kids fall in love with sailing is the ultimate reward

Blake Nicholson

Head Coach

Blake Nicholson

I started sailing at Murrays Bay when I was 9 in an Optimist, and progressed through to the Green and Open fleets. I then moved on to sail P-class, Starling, 29er, 420 and most recently, Laser Radial. Read More

Merv Hunter

Coach

Merv Hunter

I started sailing around intermediate age in a Sabot which was a little like an Optimist. I had grown up around boats, helping my father on many home built power boats and had been on many Keeler boat holidays as a younger child. Read More

Andrew Goldfinch

Coach

Andrew Goldfinch

I learned to sail when I was 13, at NBYC in a Starling. I love sailing because it makes you feel completely free and able to forget about everything else. Read More

Maria Treadaway

Coach

Maria Treadaway

I started my sailing journey with this club in 2014. I was immediately addicted despite capsizing about 7 times on my second time out! Being out on the water and enjoying our beautiful harbour in a dinghy is exhilarating and fun. Read More

Annabelle Rennie-Younger

Coach

Annabelle Rennie-Younger

I learnt to sail down at NBYC back in December 2012, before moving to Murrays Bay to start competitive sailing. I sailed Optimist, Starling and then moved into the laser radial. I sailed the radial all three years of youth competition, winning the trial in my final year and representing New Zealand at the youth worlds placing 5th overall. Read More

Helena Sanderson

Coach

Helena Sanderson

I started sailing when I was 7 years old on Lake Manuwai in the Bay of Islands. I immediately fell in love with the feeling of being on the water and couldn’t get enough. I then moved to the Bay of islands Yacht club where I was able to progress and start racing the junior boats Opti and P class.      Read More