"I nearly gave up sailing when my best mate left the sport, but lucky for me my school started teams racing and look where it took me to the International 420 Class World Championships in Athens, Greece.
Gaby Walmsley - Sailor
"This is a great combination, an outstanding yachtsman (Dean Barker) and a tremendous sailing academy. What is even better is that both are putting their talent and energy into seeing our Bay of Plenty youth reach their full potential."
Simon Bridges - MP for Tauranga
"It is great to see the Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy securing Dean Barker as its Patron moving forward, for Bartercard it is great to be associated with an organisation that helps young people fulfil their dreams and ambitions. With Dean Barker as Patron we’ll see more young sailors reach their full potential and represent New Zealand on the world stage."
Stuart Wilkinson - Bartercard New Zealand National Sponsorship Manager.
"It’s awesome to see a local organisation which we’ve been proud to support, grow to such a stature that Dean Barker, one of the highest profile sportsmen in sailing, is willing to join them."
Andrew Love - Radio Network General Manager
"Sailing is New Zealand’s most successful international sport, we dominate at all levels and every successful offshore race yacht has a large percentage of kiwis in its crew. BoPSAT provides many young people in the Bay of Plenty with the opportunity and means to get involved in sailing and continue to follow their ambitions.
To be part of Emirates Team NZ is the pinnacle of many of our young competitive sailors’ dreams and having Dean Barker as Patron of BoPSAT is fitting indeed."
Roger Clark - Immediate Past Commodore, Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club
"I would like to congratulate Roy Walmsley, Trustee and Administrator for the BoPSAT for enlisting Dean Barker as Patron of the Trust. Dean Barker is the number one role model for young sailors and BoPSAT is the vehicle which has been bringing sailing to our youth".
Peter Dallimore - Past Commodore Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club
"Sailing was fun because we were allowed to go almost anywhere we wanted" - Rhys
"I liked sailing because you learnt new skills and had fun charging around" - Euan
"The thing I liked the most was the fact that you could push the boat as far as you wanted and there wasn’t many limits, I had lots of fun and really enjoyed it :) " - Cody
"Richard really enjoyed yesterday’s windsurfing...the SPEED!" - Jackie
"Windsurfing has been great for Devi. She has really enjoyed and persevered with the challenge of learning how to windsurf. Instructors have been encouraging and supportive so she feels very confident. Windsurfing has really caught her interest to get out there and have fun on the water." - Debbie