Sailor Jack Daly interviewed

Above: Jack Daly

Tell me about yourself

My name is Jack Daly, and I turned 16 last month. I attend Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, where I am taking my GCSEs and then hopefully A-levels. I have lived with my parents in Herne Bay for the last seven years after moving from Essex to live by the sea - and living by the sea means you might as well get a boat. Like many people, I began sailing in a Mirror dinghy. Hooked, I have progressed through dinghies. Racing nearly every weekend, summer and winter I have built up sailing experience and in 2005, I was the Comet Mino national champion and Gull national champion. Last season I switched to a Laser 3000.

What are you doing now?

I am currently preparing for a single-handed circumnavigation of the UK for the charity, Sailability. This is a challenge that I have wanted to do for some time now and I feel next summer will be the right time, as I will have completed my GCSEs and this will give me 10 weeks off school to complete the trip. At the moment, I am looking for sponsorship for the trip, which will buy personal safety equipment and also to raise money for charity.

The boat I will be completing the trip in is a 21ft (corribee) yacht called Padiwak, and I’m currently fitting her out for longer trips and preparing for the challenge. I have chosen Sailability as the charity as I have been a volunteer at Westbere Sailing Opportunities for three years, which has spurred me on to undertake the challenge.

What are your ambitions for the future?

My closest ambition at the moment is to complete the trip, but I would like to complete a circumnavigation of the globe at one stage in my life, cruising and stopping at places but maybe racing? I will have to see what the future brings.

What’s the best thing about living in Kent?

Probably the best thing about living in Kent is the variety: we have it all, from historic towns to lush green countryside, and we also have some fantastic beaches which are great places to go sailing from.

Where do you like to go out in your area?

It would be obvious to say sailing, but that’s not going to stop me. I go dinghy sailing from Hampton Pier Yacht club and I also go sailing in Padiwak to a variety of places off Kent’s shores. On a Thursday and Friday, when not at school, I will be at Westbere Sailing Opportunities doing what I love, helping other people to enjoy sailing.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Other than sailing, I also enjoy various sporting activities which I play with friends and which also keep me fit and healthy. Sailing is a demanding sport, but it is important to exercise different muscle groups to keep muscles that do not get used while sailing healthy.

What was the last book you read?

I don’t really get a huge amount of time to read, but the last book I read was Live That Dream by Richard Cooper. It is an autobiography written by the man who was the first to windsurf around Great Britain and Ireland.

Sponsor Jack

Jack is currently fundraising for his challenge and is grateful for the support of Kent International Airport, which has already donated £400. More, however, is needed, so if you would also like to sponsor Jack, either via private donations or through corporate sponsorship, tel: 07796671107 or contact him here