Sailor Profile | Kathryn Leach

Kathryn sails in the Open Optimist Fleet at NPYC. She is a fantastic sailor. Please enjoy reading her profile, expertly written by herself in response to our questions.

My name is Kathryn Leach

I'm 11 years old I'm year 7 at Oakura School

I am the youngest in my family. My oldest brother Xavier is 16years and loves sailing, Brennan prefers football and Dad is addicted to wing foiling. Both my grandfathers enjoyed sailing. I am the only one from my family born in New Plymouth.

My other hobbies include netball, drama and dance-jazz.

I love sailing because I love going out on the water and after a day of school it is nice to sail.

My optimist is called Orca.

I have enjoyed crewing on an Elliot and I helmed a 420 for the first time last weekend, I loved the feeling of sailing fast in a bigger boat.

I loved sailing at the 2024 Sir Peter Blake regatta with nice hot days. The Aims games in Tauranga this year were very windy, but I'm glad I went, it even hailed on me. At regattas it is essential to have encouraging support from my Dad, good food and good sunscreen + face cover.

I’m looking forward to the Opti Nationals at NPYC next year.

My tip for new kids is, don’t worry too much about racing, just go out there and you may have some fun.

I am inspired by the teenage girl who sailed around the world on her own. The movie about her is called True Spirit.

I want to keep improving in my sailing , win some races and keep having fun. I hope more girls join too!