Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2014-06-11, 13:05:34 | version 1.30.01
123 Aureole Patere won the Squadron Easter Rally. He also gathered other crew members over the years as a result of loaning his boat to various causes. He would volunteer his boat to Richmond during the years they offered sailing opportunities to different groups. One of the groups they offered to take out was staff from local radio stations. They became the basis of his crew in the late 80’s. For several years he was also involved with blind sailing. George would also take out people from the College of Education for their water safety module which is where some of his current crew now comes from. The 90’s has seen continued use of Patere in many R.N.Z.Y.S and Stewart 34 races with a fair amount of success - and a good yachting wardrobe - thanks to Dorlon’s sponsorship. As Skipper or as bowman, still at home in any situation on a boat, his quiet even tempered style is encouragement to all those on board. His willingness to allow people of any skill level to have a taste of yachting on his boats has seen many go on to greater things in yachting. Above all he encourages enjoyment over winning - a philosophy very much appreciated by many of his crew! Up until about 10 years ago, George and the very much loved Aureole competed in the R.N.Z.Y.S family cruising division, the two of them giving much younger rivals a run for their money. With the sad passing of his life long first love Aureole and ill heath himself now sees George mostly enjoys his sailing from the main hatch or down below (packing the spinnaker) while the boat is now sailed by the next generation of Retters. Each year Patere still competes in the following series: Wednesday evening (of course) Saturday winter series Monday night Stewart 34 Championships The highlight each year for George and the crew is the Squadron Weekend at Kawau Island. Kawau weekend includes a night race at which time newcomers trust George to get them there safely. Sailing at night can be hazardous so it was a bit daunting one time when George, the experienced navigator, whilst squinting at the horizon looking for the Martello Rock light, used the reference‘it can’t be dark yet, the lights not on.’ You mean he can’t tell whether it’s dark or not by just looking? While he says that he just goes racing for the fun of it, a few seasons ago we damaged the mast during a Saturday race. He worked frantically with a couple of mates (who don’t even sail) to get the boat ready for the next Wednesday night. Some would say that it was the prize that he was chasing, however those of us that know him well would think more along the lines of - he did not want to disappoint anyone by not having the boat available for them to sail on. Such is his love for the sea and the people who sail with him. Such is his love and dedication to the people he knows.” Patiki Sail No. 245 Builder: John Lidgard Launched: 5 November 1959 Construction: Cold moulded triple diagonal kauri, glassed over A keen racer, Peter Colmore-Williams was tired of finishing in the back end of the Squadron’s 4th Division on his yacht Taurima. He approached his friend Bob Stewart and asked him if he would design a light- displacement 34-foot racer/cruiser, employing the newest materials, a boat that could conceivably finish in the front-end of the Squadron’s 3rd Division. Late in 1958 Stewart commenced design work on his most famous boat, Patiki on launch day Stewart Association Collection