There is an ocean of possibilities awaiting Glenwood High’s Michael Dickinson as he prepares for the most prestigious sailing event in the country, the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup.
The Glenwood crew flying their kite.
Pic: Sophie Thompson
On the eve of his eighteenth birthday, the young man enthuses, “I started sailing with my father when I was eight years old, and I always enjoyed water sports so kept at it.”
The Glenwood High School student is extremely passionate about sailing with his bucket list consisting all of nautical to-do items, “I am hoping to get my yacht masters, compete in the 49er youth worlds, sail in a Velux 5 Oceans, oh and of course pass matric! My list gets longer and longer, but the basic aim is to sail, sail and sail some more.”
Gearing up for the biggest sailing event in the country, Dickinson comments, “The preparations have been tough with a limited budget to get the yacht up to standard and we have an inexperienced team, we have a lot of work to do. That being said, the guys have been great taking it in their stride and always having a blast, always finding a way to laugh. And the teamwork has been out of this world.”
“The whole team is really looking forward to the competition and learning something new!” the young skipper adds. The team is one of the youngest that will be competing, with an average age of 15 years and all being Glenwood learners.
Dickinson recently was awarded the Choose Life Youth Trophy when he competed in the Colorpress Vasco da Gama international yacht race, the race that started in Maputo and finished in Durban this May. “The best memory would have to be as we were coming in and watching Choose Life Pacer come across our bow at the finish line making us realise how close the race was.”
Michael Dickinson with his trophy from the Colorpress Vasco da Gama.
Pic: Sophie Thompson
This would be the highlight of his fledgling career, “I have been to a few places mainly in the UK and a few others for racing but nothing beats sailing offshore here at home.
“I am a sailor because I love its challenges and no one race is ever the same. My motto is to keep sailing and go extremely fast, there isn’t anything like it! The thrill of flying across the water is a huge adrenaline rush, as well as sailing is really physical and keeps you fit.” said the enthusiastic lad.
His interest off the water has him eyeing out the bulls eye. “I dabble in a bit of archery, the discipline involved is fantastic and you have to work hard to hit your target! A good life lesson.”
The matric student plans to pursue his love to the ocean, “I am hoping to study something in the field of Maritime Studies and maybe something in journalism as well!”
But for now, the sailor spends every waking moment on the water, “I pretty much sail every day after school; I enjoy sharing my passion and coach Terra’s introducing other people to the great sport.”
All local eyes are on the lads from Glenwood High School, representing the youngest yacht club in the country, the Glenwood High School Yacht Club, Dickinson is joined by Gabriel Davies; Rowan Garrat; Joshua Canaan; Brendan Humphries and Eli Brophy-Tintinger.
By Sophie Thompson