Sailor Jack Kilburn
Above: Jack Kilburn leaning on his laser dinghy
Tell us about yourself
I am a 17-year-old pupil at The Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Faversham, where I am currently studying for my A-Levels. Away from school, my passion in life is sailing and I have been out and about on the water since I can remember.
I live in Whitstable and am a member of Whitstable Yacht Club. My whole family is into boats and the water, although my mum isn’t too keen on getting wet. I feel utterly at home on the waves and can’t imagine life without going out on a boat.
What are you doing now?
At the moment I am studying and hope to get a place at University at Southampton or Loughborough, where I can continue to improve my sailing. Last year I came ninth in the National Youth Championships and I am hopeful about finishing in the top five this year in Wales. I have recently been out in Florida helping the Great Britain Paralympics team prepare, and while I was there, I got to have a go on some keelboats, which was an awesome experience.
In the summer, I like to help out instructing, and help younger children get their first taste of sailing. At the moment, I am trying to compete in as many different events as I can, as the more experience I get the better!
What are your ambitions?
I am keen to see how far I can get in my sport, and my aim is to progress through the national and Great Britain youth and full squads to compete at an Olympic Games. Whether it’s 2012 in London or 2016 - wherever that’s going to be - representing your country would be an amazing experience and is certainly a dream. I also hope one day to compete in the Americas Cup as a tactician as I think the event is the ultimate test of sailing ability.
What’s the best thing about living in Kent?
For me, it’s the coastline, as it gives me the chance to do what I love most. I feel fortunate to live in a county that has such easy access to water.
Where do you like to go out?
With several hundred members, Whitstable Yacht Club is a very lively and social place. In the summer the waters around the harbour are packed and I have made a lot of friends down there.
What are your interests and hobbies?
At the moment a lot of my spare time, when not in the water, is about trying to maintain and improve my fitness. As I progress, I will need to put on more weight, ideally through muscle growth so I try to spend a fair amount of time in the gym. You need to have a bit of weight when the strong winds are blowing! Other than that I like to spend time with my friends.
What was the last book you read?
Journey’s End by R C Sherriff.
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