Sport
10 April, 2026
Life membership for avid sailor
CAMPERDOWN’S Alister King was the surprise recipient of a life membership to Yachting Western Victoria last weekend.
Alister was presented with his award last Sunday night during an association meeting, held as part of the annual Easter Regatta at Lake Bullen Merri.
“I was absolutely stoked but totally shocked,” King said.
“Back in 2020 I nominated Ian Lane from Colac for a life membership and on the weekend he returned the honour.
“I knew absolutely nothing about it; I’d been sitting around the campfire with a big group just prior to the meeting and no one said a thing. It was a great surprise.”
An avid sailor since the early 1970s, Alister said he likes nothing more than spending time on his RL24 yacht.
“I try to get out on the water as often as I can, for at least six months of the year across summer,” he said.
“I absolutely love it and so does my son, Jensen. Many friends my age stopped competing in their chosen sports many years ago but even at 66 I still keep adding to the trophy cabinet.
“And now Jensen does too (he was named club champion at Derrinallum last year and last weekend received the Jack Lane Memorial Stern Chaser award).”
Alister is a dedicated member of both the Derrinallum and Colac yacht clubs and competes as often as possible.
“The Easter Regatta at Camperdown was another great weekend and despite the concerns around cost and availability of fuel we still had close to 60 boats competing over the weekend.
“As always it was a great family-friendly event and several also took the opportunity to camp there and enjoy the surrounds.”
And to top off a great weekend, Alister finished second in the trailable yacht/class five division (along with Lane on his boat ‘This Way Up’).
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