The Bay of Plenty community is celebrating the life of a known sailor, Alan Glover.

A life member of the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club, Alan sadly passed away on April 17, 2023.

He was known as a level headed, 'stalwart” of the club who first joined in 1966, and used his extensive sailing knowledge to adapt to any situation.

His son, Steve Glover, says he could 'do anything, fix anything, build anything and solve any problem, even if he hadn't seen it before”.

'Last time the yacht club roof needed painting they couldn't find anyone who was prepared to do it. Dad, 82 at the time, and his old sailing mate Greame, who was 78, both got up and painted it by themselves.

'When they were asked if they used safety gear they would reply ‘yep, we used our bloody common sense.'”

'One of dad's favourite things to do was fixing things for his friends without them knowing. He'd look for things that were broken, like fences or gates, and sneak round while they were at work and fix it for them. He never told them it was him.”

Alan is remembered as a stalwart of the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club, first joining in 1966. Photo: Supplied.

John Miller has been sailing with Alan since 1994. John says he and Alan would 'sail well” together, ending up on the podium most of the time they competed.

'In the 30 years I knew Alan, I think he only missed about one of the Auckland to Tauranga races. Every now and again at midnight Alan would tell a story about his sailing journeys on the side of the boat.”

He describes Alan as 'a true pioneer” in the world of sailing.

'Alan never was flustered, he was confident on the water and always remained very calm. He instilled so much confidence in the people sailing with him.

'One time there was about seven of us on a boat, two of which hadn't been off shore before. We encountered a bit of a storm on our second night, which was quite rough with about 7m seas and 50 knot winds.

'Alan was able to keep the team's morale up through this, doing what needed to be done, along with making coffees and food. The rest of us realised it wasn't as bad as we thought it was and we got through it. He really learned how to be at one with the sea.

'I believe he had the same steel in him as the pioneers that built this country.”

Alan Glover has always been a fan of the outdoors. Photo: Supplied.

Gary Smith also sailed with Alan from time to time, and has known him for about 50 years after growing up with his son Steve. Gary says Alan had a 'relaxed” attitude on the water, and is 'a great seaman”.

'He's definitely one of those old school sea dogs. A very good, patient sailor.

'Alan has been a stalwart volunteer for the Tauranga club. He was also part of the team who helped build the Sulphur Point club building. He's been an awesome long term supporter.

'The really amazing thing is at 89 he was sailing his own boat, as recently as the week before he died. It's truly something for us to all aspire to. I'd love to be able to reach his age, let alone be able to still go sailing.”