60 Seconds with Sara Brooks…

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? 
I remember my mum taking me out on her Laser as a passenger when I was around 10.  The boat was bright yellow and called "passing wind".  It only had one rig - Standard - so having extra "ballast" may have helped.  We've sailed with four people (my mum, brothers and me) as well as our Labrador on board!  I loved being out on the water as well as the atmosphere at Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club in Adelaide.  I must have taken the below photos when I was about 14.  

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? 
I plan to stick with a Laser as long as I can manage it physically.  I've never tried to sail any other class of dinghy.  I like its classic, elegant and simple design, and the fact that there are still so many people who sail it.

3. What is your sailing goal? 
My goals are to enjoy being out on the harbour, to gradually improve my boat handling and racing skills, and to avoid collisions...

 4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name?  
My boat is pale blue in colour.  As a play on words, I named it after the French word "sacrebleu".  This is a mild profanity that I thought I might utter once or twice while learning to sail/ race.

5. If you could add any ingredient to our already world’s best toasties – what would it be?
Sundried tomatoes.

6. What are your second/ third favourite hobbies (obviously assuming sailing holds the #1 spot)
Appreciating art and hiking / mountaineering.

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words?  
Legal advisor/ solution-finder.

8. What’s the first international flight you are going to book post Covid-19? And why? 
I'd love to explore South America, having never been there before.  It would be fascinating to learn more about the different cultures, and to see the stunning and varied scenery.

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book?
Enjoying top quality cinema at the French Film Festival is one of my favourite experiences.  Most recently I've been watching foreign films at home using streaming services.  

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
The game I like most is chess.  My primary schoolmate's grandfather was a Russian chess master.  He wrote a book called "Chess Made Easy", and was kind enough to teach our whole class the key openings, chess notation and how to replay the games of grand masters.  I played competitively during my high school years, but now only take time to play occasionally.

Photo by Hadrien Bourely.