RYA pays tribute to boating stalwart Mike Evans

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of RYA stalwart and former Council Chair, Mike Evans.

Mike played an influential role in sailing at a regional, national and international level and he was presented with a National Award at the 2015 RYA Volunteer Awards in recognition of his outstanding commitment and services to boating.

An early achievement was his role in establishing Queen Mary Sailing Club, acting as Chairman of the five-club consortium and becoming the club’s first Commodore in 1972.

Mike joined RYA Council in the 1970s, fulfilling the role of Chairman from 1985 until 1987, when he became Chief Executive of the International Yacht Racing Union until 1995. At the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, he led the GB team and was responsible for the Olympic campaigns at both Seoul and Barcelona.

In 1988 Mike was appointed to The Broads Authority, and its Navigation Committee, serving as Vice Chairman and continuing until 1995. Mike also served over 14 years as Independent Chair of the Authority’s Water Recreation Liaison Panel and on the Broads Forum. He also chaired the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association and was a longstanding member of Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, joining in 1958.

Mike fulfilled each role with great distinction, whilst also achieving an outstanding sailing record; winning the Enterprise Nationals in 1958 and going on to win the National 12 Championships in 1961, and 1962. He won the ‘Gold Cup’ eight times and continued to successfully campaign a Norfolk Punt into his mid-sixties.

Mike will be sorely missed by the RYA and all those who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.