Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 95

on the water

Island Life - December 2010

'We aren't
aloof but
we are
dynamic'
WORDS - PETER WHITE
Photo: Melodrama crewed by Michael Campbell and Guy Renwick

Michael Campbell MBE sits resplendent

Hampshire, with a family retreat in

the middle lane. I was brought up by

on a leather Chesterfield that befits his

Bembridge. He became Commodore

my grandfather and father on boats,

prestigious position.

in October last year, so has recently

but always motor boats. I was not

completed the first year of his four-year

brought up to learn to sail, so I haven’t

tenure.

got sailing in my blood perhaps as

Mr. Campbell, the 20th Commodore
of the Royal Yacht Squadron, has
invited me for morning coffee at the

Without hesitation he reveals that

RYS headquarters, aptly named The

his sailing background lacks a certain

“My grandfather Commander Colin

Castle and situated on The Parade at

amount of pedigree, purely because

Campbell was a member of the Royal

Cowes. The RYS was founded in 1815,

of his love for life in a slightly faster

Yacht Squadron. My father wasn’t a

and is generally accepted as the most

lane. In his younger days he was

member, and I joined soon after my

prestigious yacht club in the United

an accomplished power boat racer,

grandfather died. My son does not do

Kingdom and arguably the world. The

spending time on The Hamble with his

much sailing, but I have two sons in law

Castle has been its home since 1858.

father, who built Christina power boats.

who are keen on sailing, so one or both

We are sitting in the library, a

“Father began building those in the

much as I would have liked.

of them may come along some time.”

magnificent room that exudes

late 1950s, and in 1961 when Max

character, charm and tranquility. It soon

Aitken started the Cowes to Torquay

only way to become a member is to be

becomes apparent that the Commodore

race, off shore power boat racing was

invited. Then you are elected by the

has similar qualities, as well as a sharp

a brand new sport,” he recalls. “Max

entire membership by ballot. So, as

sense of humour.

had to look around to find people who

the Commodore accepts: “It’s about as

were prepared to give this new sport

democratic as you can get.”

As I was about to suggest that

The RYS has 475 members, and the

maybe not too many ‘outsiders’ are

a go. Father built a boat for Tommy

afforded the privilege of an invitation

Sopwith to take part in the first race,

process: “The Commodore is elected

to this inner sanctum, the Commodore

and it won. I also took part in the race,

by the membership as a whole. You

maintained: “We inevitably have a

and then carried on doing power boat

are pu Bf