Our next Member has been a fixture of the CYCA Race Committee, operating behind the scenes to ensure our Blue Water Races and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race run safely and smoothly. After competing in his first Sydney Hobart in 2000, David Jordan was first a part of the RSHYR Emergency Management Team in 2010 and then moved onto the RSHYR Race Committee in 2011. He has been an integral part of the CYCA Blue Water Race Committees each year since, becoming Chairman of the RSHYR Race Committee in 2018.
David Jordan has recently purchased Sydney 38 Adrenalin and is looking forward to racing with the Club whilst continuing to contribute to the CYCA’s extensive racing program through his involvement in the Blue Water Race Committees and Sailing Committee.
CYCA Member Since: 1993
Favourite CYCA memory: The thrill of my first Sydney Hobart Yacht Race – you never forget the first one. Although, I’ve only done three so some might argue I should be able to remember all of them!
Proudest achievement on water and at the CYCA: Won a junior State title with my brother but in recent years, just being able to compete in a lot of the races has been seriously good fun. I’m very proud to have contributed to the Race Committee for over a decade.
Bucket-list event still to attend/enter: The priority for now is to learn to sail my recently acquired Sydney 38 Adrenalin by competing in as many races as the diary manager allows. To be honest, I haven’t had time to settle on a longer-term program. The CYCA offers so many interesting and attractive options for racing – short haul and twilight series through to the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore. I think short-handed racing is a growing aspect of our sport and I’m watching with interest the Club’s recent Two-Handed initiative.
Best thing about the CYCA: Can I have two best things? First, the people – competitors, organisers, volunteers, staff and sponsors – all of who make this one of the world’s best sailing programs, particularly the offshore races. Many owners have been very kind and let me crew in their boats over the years so maybe it’s time for me to provide that opportunity to others. Second, the location – right in the heart of the best harbour in the world.
Favourite sailing book/movie and why: Any of the movies about the 1968 first single-handed circumnavigation of the globe nonstop showing the plethora of physical and mental challenges of the sea. Rob Mundle brings the sea alive and I’m currently reading our very own The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. I also loved reading Close to the Wind, a book about hero Peter Goss and his rescue of French yachtsman Raphael Dinelli as his boat sank beneath him in the round-the-world single-handed sailing race, the Vendee Globe, on Christmas Day 1996 – I was a small part of the rescue planning effort so it pulled at the heart-strings a bit.
Outside of sailing I…: spent my childhood in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. Served for 24 years in the Navy and had the rare privilege of commanding three ships; a patrol boat, a frigate and the Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour. I’m still active with the Navy as a part-time Reservist but have spent the last 13 years mostly in Defence related industries, providing technology solutions and services to the Navy and Government. I enjoy rugby union (coached at Easts) and travelling with my wife Louise Walsh. When not overseas we divide our time between Sydney and our small property near Berry on the South Coast of NSW.
Advice to my younger self: If I knew I was going to live this long I might have treated myself a bit better.
Anything else: Favourite colour is blue (reminds me of the sea). I don’t cope so well with snakes. My last meal would comprise the four main food groups; pizza, beer, ice cream and chocolate (don’t tell my GP or my wife). Nickname is Yak – probably best to explain at the bar after a race.
