Yachting: Late departure sends shock waves

It was an announcement similar to an unexpected boom-hit to the head first-time sailors can often receive if they're not on their game.

Napier Sailing Club manager Lyle Tresadern is on the move. He starts a similar job at the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club in Auckland on Monday.

Like many Hawke's Bay sports fans, yours truly expected Tresadern, 60, to stay at the Napier club until his retirement. Napier was the club where Tresadern started his sailing career and we assumed he would end his career there.

Tresadern's regular description of the Napier club to visitors also suggested he was unlikely to leave.

"For all-round facilities Napier is the best sailing club in New Zealand," was something those of us among the media at the Optiworlds earlier this year heard Tresadern repeat as visitors praised the club's hosting of the event which marketed the club on the international stage.

"The offer came out of the blue and Auckland is where I want to retire," Tresadern explained after another farewell lunch.

"It was better I go now than later."

Although Bucklands Beach is the second biggest club in the country with 1600 members, 500 more than Napier, Tresadern is confident he can increase that membership, particularly with more youth.

"I want to tap into the Asian population in Auckland. We all saw how strong the Asians were at the Optiworlds when they were here," Tresadern said.

The Optiworlds, Flying Dutchman worlds and OK Dinghy worlds were the three world championships Napier hosted during the 10 years Tresadern was manager. There were also numerous national championships.

Among the projects he has ticked off include the completion of a travel lift and an area where boats can be worked on. Almost completed is the upgrade of ramps for power boats.

Like clubs in other codes the Napier Sailing Club has become more multipurpose. Tresadern pointed out its links with school learn to sail programmes and waka ama clubs are examples of this. He has been impressed with many of the youth at the club who have raced at international regattas.

Tresadern was quick to reply when asked if any of those youth have the potential to reach Olympic Games level.

"James Sandall, Ben Goodwin, Olivia and Sam McKay could all make it and depending on university study commitments, a couple of the Mannering girls could make it too."

Considering his success in international events, Tresadern is well qualified to make those predictions. Along with the late Jeremy Franklin, he finished 13th at an Auckland-hosted world championship for the cherub class.

They sailed Charlie Brown, a boat they won the Napier club's club championships in three times. Along with another Napier clubmate, Paul Simmonds, Tresadern finished 23rd in a field of 174 boats at an Adelaide-hosted fireball class world championship after winning the national title.

Tresadern finished second at inter-dominion level in a 12ft skiff two-man class with an Australian.

"It was a case of if you can't beat an Aussie you might as well join him," Tresadern quipped.

He has also had considerable experience in the phase II class with his son Wade and in various trailer yacht and keeler classes which the Bucklands Beach club is well known for. In addition to competing for the Napier and Bucklands Beach clubs in the past, Tresadern has been a member of the Hamilton, Auckland, Howick, Rotorua and Evans Bay clubs.

Tresadern's replacement has yet to be appointed.