Vale Sandy Banks
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sandy Banks, a true pioneer of the Hobie Class and one of the people who helped shape the organisation and the lifestyle that so many of us have enjoyed for more than 50 years.
Every sailor who has raced in a Hobie event owes a debt of gratitude to Sandy. He was instrumental in creating and bringing to life the Hobie Class Association, helping turn Hobie Alter’s vision into a worldwide sailing movement.
As part of the original Poche Beach crew, Sandy helped establish an organisation that gave sailors the opportunity to compete outside the traditional sailing establishment. He developed the Fleet and Division system, which remains an integral part of the Hobie Class today, and was also a pioneer in developing sponsorship partnerships at a time when such arrangements were far from common in sailing.
In the early years, Sandy, Wayne Schafer and Hobie Alter travelled extensively, spreading the Hobie spirit around the world and helping establish the foundations of the international Hobie Class we know today.
Sandy became the first Executive Director of the Hobie Class Association and also served as Race Director at numerous World and National Championships. His contribution to the development of Hobie racing and the organisation behind it cannot be overstated.
A car accident in Fiji in 1986 changed the course of Sandy’s life, and he subsequently stepped away from the Hobie Class. He went on to pursue other interests, including running a charter catamaran and enjoying his love of golf.
Although Sandy’s involvement with the Hobie Class ended many years ago, his legacy remains firmly embedded in it. The organisation, racing structure and worldwide community that we enjoy today owe much to the foundations he helped establish in those early years.
WThere is simply no way to overestimate Sandy’s contribution to the Hobie Class and to the lifestyle that has brought so much enjoyment to generations of sailors around the world.
Where most sailing eulogies would wish him “Fair winds and Following Seas”…but those who raced under him will know that he’d much prefer to be wished a “15-knot+ Course 7 Twice Around”
Vale, Sandy.
You will always be a part of the Hobie story.
