Nonagenarian sailor still going strong

There aren’t many weekends in winter, or evenings in summer, when Girdis’ Jarkan 12.5, Marloo, isn’t out on Sydney Harbour.

The man often at the helm of the white-hulled yacht with red racing stripes is veteran yachty George Girdis. He has had a successful and colourful sailing career that includes the heartbreaking experience of almost winning a Sydney Hobart.

Building a passion

Girdis, born and raised in Brisbane, started to sail around the age of 18 in 1951, when he and his brother, Nick, who himself is approaching the sprightly age of 100, saw their neighbour building a 12-foot sailing dinghy and thought, “We can do that.”

The brothers constructed their own dinghy, which they raced out of Brisbane River and Southport. They were hooked and another boat followed, a 21-foot timber Sharpie.

While Girdis was discovering his passion for sailing, he was also studying chemical engineering, which would later morph into a career as a mechanical engineer.

The day after his 21st birthday in 1954, he packed his bags and boarded a train and headed south for the big smoke – Sydney.

He worked as a chemical engineer for two years. During that time, he joined the CYCA and Sydney Amateur Sailing Club.

Canada sojourn

Propelled by a “sense of adventure”, Girdis left Sydney in 1956. He and his mates boarded a cruise liner that travelled to Auckland, Hawaii and San Francisco. From there, he hopped on a Greyhound bus to Toronto and landed a job in Sarnia, Ontario, on the USA border. He had a wonderful time sailing on the Great Lakes, which inspired him to buy his first yacht after he returned to Sydney in 1958.

Adventures Down Under

The adventures didn’t stop for Girdis on his return to Australia.

After buying his first ocean-going yacht, Compass 38, Aphrodite, Girdis and his crew, sailed to Noumea, Port Vila (Vanuatu) and numerous other exotic destinations. He also competed in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1977, 1981 and ’82. Overall, he participated in seven Sydney Hobarts.

After he sold Aphrodite in the early 1980s, Girdis bought the Peterson 42 Marloo from his brother Nick.

The yacht was commissioned by Nick specifically for the 1979 Admirals Cup, and while she didn’t quite make the Australian team, was sent to Cowes as reserve and won some races in the UK. That was the start of the European regattas for that Marloo. 

“It was state-of-the-art at that stage,” Girdis said of the boat with a striking red hull. “It was an aluminium boat, and it was one of the faster boats of that time.”

The yacht served him well in inshore and offshore races. He came close to winning the Sydney Hobart in 1983 with his son Stephen alongside him, until the wind evaporated on the River Derwent and the yacht was becalmed for around seven hours during the night, several hundred metres out from the finish line. In the morning, the boats behind caught the breeze and overtook Marloo.

“That was so heartbreaking,” Girdis said. “I didn’t take my own boat [to Hobart] again.”

Girdis was also involved with the CYCA in the role of Commodore in 1982 and 1983.

Sailing overseas

Girdis has cruised around the Mediterranean and competed in two Aegean Rallies [the oldest and most prestigious sailing regatta in Greece]. Of all the races, his favourite is Santa Margherita Ligure on the coastline of northern Italy.

“It’s a beautiful place, with crystal-clear water, lovely swimming and snorkelling.”

Career highlights

Girdis thrived in his career as chief mechanical engineer at Civil and Civic (acquired by Lend Lease in 1961).

He worked on the Harry Seidler-designed Australia Square building in the 1960s. He also played a key role in the introduction of laminar flow ventilation systems to operating theatres Australia wide.

All in the family

irdis, who has lived in the same apartment in Darlinghurst for 25 years, drives to the CYCA most weeks to sail Marloo. 

His sons Stephen and Michael share Girdis’ love of sailing, with Michael accompanying George on the water most Wednesdays. Stephen races his custom timber sloop, Plym also out of the CYCA, on occasion competing against his father.

Sometimes the Girdis clan has three generations out on Marloo, with George sharing special time onboard with both Stephen, Michael, and their sons Jordan and Alex (respectively). 

Girdis’ long term partner Vivien also normally sails on the bow of Marloo and recently skippered the boat to a victory in the CYCA Women’s Winter Series. 

Still surviving, still sailing

Girdis believes sailing has kept him fit and focussed. He also plays golf at Concorde each week.

“I’m still surviving and still sailing,” he said. “Sailing is a very healthy sport. It’s good for young people to learn because it exercises their brains while being enjoyable at the same time.”

At the time of writing, Marloo is winning its division in the RANSA Wednesday point score.