It’s a sad day when one of your old teenage friends and long time Club member passes away.

Ian (Digger) Boyle passed away on Saturday 15th June 2019, leaving his wife Sue and their son and daughter, Jaxon and Holly.

Digger’s connection with the Middle Harbour 16’ Skiff Club came about after some considerable success in the Cherub dinghy class in which he won the 1979 Cherub Australian Championship held in Wynyard, Tasmania. This championship was sailed in rather windy conditions in Bass Strait and I recall some pretty hairy moments as we battled the huge seaway in 35 knots of breeze! In those days, sending young teens out into a Bass Strait storm in a 12 foot dinghy didn’t seem to bother anyone, especially Digger, who easily won the series with exceptional sailing skills.

Returning from triumph in that Championship he soon put his mind to stepping up the game and a new 16’ skiff named and sponsored by “Rank Arena” hit the water for the following season. The decision was made to campaign out of Middle Harbour 16’ Skiff Club. Digger put together a crew made up of sailing friends which included myself. Needless to say, Digger’s sailing skills showed up again and he promptly won the coveted Middle Harbour 16’ Skiff Club Championship in his first season sailing 16’s and he was still just a teenager!

Many great memories come flooding back especially those that involve Digger and his “never give up” outlook on life. It’s just so cruel that the guy who was the fittest, healthiest and all-time good guy becomes the victim of a hideous disease, it just isn’t fair….

RIP Digger,

Mitch Miller