David Swete    DOB: 17/11/83

I have been sailing all of my life, starting with racing and cruising with my parents, also racing Optimists, P class and lasers, but my main focus has been Keel Boats.  I joined the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Youth Scheme in 2001, where over three years I did bow, main and helm. Sailing is my life and since the youth scheme I have competed with success in many Offshore Races, Match Racing Events and Fleet Racing Regatta’s including 2 National titles as helm. Offshore races that I have done include the Rolex Trans Atlantic Race, Two Sydney to Hobart’s, the Auckland to Fiji Race and the Round the North Island (NZ) race. After leaving school in year 13 I joined North Sails New Zealand as an apprentice Sail maker. Four years of working at North’s saw me move into the role of Service Manager. My current position as Sales Consultant has seen me compete in many overseas regattas with clients, including Hamilton Island Race week, the Super Yacht cup in Palma, Antigua race week, the St Bartz Bucket and the Kings Cup in Thailand. In 2006 I flew up to Spain to help prepare Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in his quest to race his Open 60 solo around the world, the knowledge I gained from helping prepare his boat and sail program was invaluable. My ISAF Sailor Classification is category 3 (professional).