Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg (DSJ) Grade 12 learner and sailor, Patrick Loubser, said placing well at the recent interschools Dinghy Regatta held at Victoria Lake Club was a no-brainer with the support he was given.

DSJ’s senior and junior fleet divisions placed first after facing strong competition from nine other school teams, demonstrating exceptional skill, teamwork, and determination.

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Patrick, who took up the sport in 2020, said his love of nature drew him to the water sport.

“I sail every Saturday at Pretoria Sailing Club, with an incredible group of people.”

The sailor added that he had two preferences for sailing: days with slow wind, which makes sailing technical, and heavy wind, which makes the boat come alive.
The Grade 12 learner said his accolade that stands out for him was his first-place ranking at the Benoni Open recently.

“I was crew on a Flying Dutchman, and we ended up beating the national champion. Possibly the most intense sailing experience I’ve had on that boat because the wind was hectic.”

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Patrick highlighted that the recent Dinghy Regatta was momentous because this year is his final year of sailing at school.

“We really have some incredible people backing us at DSJ, so we were expecting to place well. My next big event will hopefully be the Youth Nationals being held at the Vaal near the end of the year, but I’m not sure if my finals [examinations] will interfere.”

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