When it comes to sailing, Sir Russell Coutts has done it all - from the choppy waters of Otago Harbour to Olympic gold and the shiny silverware of the America's Cup.
Now, the former Team New Zealand skipper, turned chief executive of Oracle Team USA, is returning to his roots by offering advice to some of Otago's brightest young sailors.
Sir Russell, a life member of the Ravensbourne Boating Club, learnt to sail in a P-Class on Otago Harbour.
He will be back at the club tomorrow, when he lends a hand - and some words of wisdom - to young sailors at a weekend training session run by the Ravensbourne Youth Yachting Trust, which is based at the club.
The young sailors would also take to the water at the helm of four new top-of-the-line O'pen Bic sailing dinghies, paid for by Sir Russell, the trust's patron.
One of the trust's founders, Warwick Graham, told the Otago Daily Times the children would reap the benefits of modern, high-performance dinghies and the advice offered by Sir Russell.
"They'll be in awe just to meet him, I think, let alone sit down and have a good yak with him. It's quite inspiring for them.''
The new dinghies were "world class'' modern designs that could be raced at major regattas around the world, some of which the trust's sailors attended, he said.
Getting their hands on the new dinghies would also help create a "pathway'' to higher-level sailing in high-performance boats in future, he said.
"They're a lot more exciting, a lot faster, and just a lot better to sail.
"It's really awesome. I think the best reaction is from the kids, who are just over the moon. The boats took a wee while to get here and they've just been hanging out for them to get here.‘‘They were so excited when they arrived.''
Trustee John Hamilton agreed, saying the new dinghies were a step up from the more traditional Optimists traditionally used as a beginners' boat by children.
That would help "prepare kids for a completely different type of sailing'', in keeping with changes at the elite level, he believed.
"They're a little bit faster and they're easy to get in and out of if you spill [capsize].''
"These newer boats are obviously sailing closer to the wind and they're a little bit more exhilarating to sail when you're learning as well.''
The trust was established by Sir Russell and a group of keen parents in 2000, and offered sailing opportunities to young people from across Otago.
Mr Hamilton said it was aimed at supporting young sailors to compete at national and international youth regattas, with training, a growing fleet of 30 yachts and logistical support on offer.
"The idea is to encourage children to race and to get into competitive yachting as soon as possible.
"Not only do they get their feet wet while getting out learning how to sail a basic boat, but once you start having to compete you have to sharpen your skills and you learn more quickly.''
Mr Graham said Sir Russell kept in touch with the club and was a generous supporter of it and the trust.
"He's been trying to get down for a while - it's just getting a time where he can. He's always keen to come back and support the boat club.''
The weekend's training would begin at 11am and continue on Sunday, including on-the-water sessions with Sir Russell, he said.
Members of the public and sailors from other clubs are invited to attend.
