Colin Atherton Sailing Instructor

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Colin Atherton, a Young People Afloat Sailing Instructor and Trustee since 1996. YPA has lost a remarkable colleague and friend. He lost his fight with Cancer recently and his contribution to the club over almost 30 years was immense. He loved sailing and had a boat on the Norfolk Broads, some of our instructors and young people were lucky enough to join him, most notably on the Three Rivers Race.  He was an ideas-man, a reliable committee member and always willing to help, especially with our young sailors. His rudderless sailing was phenomenal and this he taught to a lot of people, both children and adults.

Colin’s interests were not only boats. Most of his working life he was an engineer and then he set up a plumbing business. He liked “mechanical gardening” and projects. He had an MG which he maintained and modified. He also loved to paint. However probably the biggest challenge he took on was ‘Enduro India’. A 2-week 1,300 mile journey around Southern India on a Royal Enfield Bullet, raising over £5,000 for charity. A trip not for the faint hearted, let alone someone with a Cancer diagnosis. He will be much missed.