Singleton’s Maddison Alexander is only 10 years old, but she is already the two-time NSW Heron Sailing Champion, the Queensland and ACT Champion, and the two-time Heron Australia National Champion.
Heron sailing is a two-person dinghy sailing sport. It’s the perfect family sport, as the dinghy is usually crewed by an adult and a child. Maddison, who is a student at Singleton Public School, was four years old when her Great Uncle Dave took her sailing for the first time.
“That was the first time I ever sailed. I initially thought I wouldn’t enjoy it, but I absolutely loved it!
“The boat is about the size of a bathtub. In the boat there is someone called the ‘crew’ and someone who is the ‘skipper’. I’m the crew and my Uncle is the skipper,” Maddison said.
Maddison’s Great Uncle Dave has been sailing for years having previously won the 52nd and 56th National Championship for Heron Sailing. Teaming up with his niece, he can now add the 63rd and 64th National Heron Championships to his list of sailing achievements.
The first competitive race they teamed up for was three years ago at the NSW Titles.
“When Uncle Dave gets a new boat, he lets the crew name it so I got to name the boat we sail and I named it ‘Chicken Dinner’… because winner winner chicken dinner!”
Maddison’s family couldn’t be more proud of her. Rochelle, Maddi’s mum said she is constantly blown away by her talent.
“Her technical knowledge is off the charts!
“Maddi has this natural ability to read the wind and the waves and she’s ultra-competitive out there, but she is also very kind.”
The whole event is a family affair, Maddie’s grandparents travel everywhere; her grandad is the boat engineer, and her grandma does all the prep work for food and accommodation and Dave’s wife Michelle has obviously lived and breathed sailing with her husband. Mum Rochelle and Dad, Nathan along with Maddi’s siblings Mylo and Charlie are their biggest supporters.
Maddison is young, with plenty of time and talent to reach some impressive goals.
“I want to learn to sail solo. Hopefully in a few years I can master it because I want to make it to the Olympics in 2032. That’s the big goal.
“The main thing is to go out there and have fun and try your best. You go out there, be competitive in a friendly way and have fun.”
-JESS ROUSE
