SALLY POTTER KALIS - New Association President
16
W
hat an honour it is to have been
asked to be President of the
National Folkboat Association. My first
proper introduction to Folkboats was
back in the early 1980’s, but my earliest
memories of a Folkboat were through
my Father who was an admirer and
friend of Blondie Hasler and had actually
sailed aboard ‘Jester’. However, I didn’t
get to own a Folkboat until 2005 when I
became the owner of Pilgrim, by then I
was about to retire!
I’ve sailed all my life, from racing
National 12 dinghies, classic cruising,
and offshore racing in a variety of yachts,
finally progressing to Folkboats! Since
joining the Royal Lymington Yacht Club in
1975 I have had wide experience of event
organisation and race management
at both club and world championship
level. During the early years of the World
Match Racing series I was privileged to
be part of a committee, chaired by John
Doerr, which developed the rules of
International Judging on-the-water. I’ve
served as Captain of Racing and Rear
Commodore Sailing at Lymington.
I was a member of the RORC race
committee for the original Admirals Cup
Inshore Races series, and organised the
support fleets which were provided by
the Royal Lymington.
I was a trustee of RYA Sailability from
its foundation, and became involved in
the organisation (with Tony Blachford) of
Sailing for the Blind, for which I chaired
the organising committee of the World
Championship of Blind Sailing in 1997.
It was during that event that I first met
our last President, Robin Walters, having
asked his company, Walcon, to help with
the event. We became friends and now
I find myself following in his footsteps, a
very hard act to follow!
All of the above have lead to lifelong
friendships and connections in the
Sailing world.
I think it fair to say that the most fun I
have had in my sailing life has been
racing with the Folkboat Fleet. I love the
boats and I’m privileged to have been
asked to take on the role of President.
The role as I see it is to carry the flag
and promote Folkboating in all its forms,
both at home and abroad. I hope, with
members of the National Committee, to
explore and encourage the development
of more Folkboat fleets around the
country, racing and cruising. I look
forward to the challenges.
Sally Potter Kalis
March 2019
