Richard “Griff” Griffin, a cherished member of the Lane Cove community and the Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club, passed away on December 20, 2024, at the age of 82. Born on September 25, 1942, Richard Griff’s life was deeply intertwined with the waters of Lane Cove and the sailing community he loved.
Richard Griff’s association with the Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club was extensive and impactful.
Thank you to Ian Meggitt, Rolf Lunsmann, Jack Winning, Andrew Chapman and Richard Kornman from the Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club, who gathered the information below about a treasured club member.
Recently, we sadly farewelled one of the Club’s longest-serving, most dedicated and much-appreciated members, Richard Griffin.
Richard was a life member, a past commodore, and a long-term committee member, all contributing significantly to the club. His infectious enthusiasm for sailing, for the Club and for the Club’s youth programme inspired many current members to engage with our sport and become involved in Club activities.
It all started in 1955
Richard joined the Club in 1955, initially sailing in the Moth Class, only interrupting his Club sailing for the 1958 and 1962 Sydney to Hobart with his father in the yacht Fortuna. He briefly sailed Lasers when they replaced Moths in 75-76 – missing a Club Championship win by just 1pt in its inaugural year.
However, “Griff” had already decided that the real action was in 12ft Skiffs. He began in that class in Myee, with Stan Begg, then in IPH and Infradig. After his one-season excursion in Lasers, he went back to 12ft Skiffs skippering B2, then Smith’s Crisps, in which he won the Club Championship in 78-79.
Commodore Griffin
Griff was also active in managing the Club – serving as Assistant Secretary of the Club (to Ted Griffith) from 1970 and then as Commodore from 1973-75. These were busy seasons for the Committee Executive, especially when you consider this period when the upstairs section of the Clubhouse was added and opened.
The end of the 70s saw many of Richard’s generation turn to larger yachts, as did
Richard. In 1979, he bought a Triton 24 Hindsight I, which he updated to a Carter 30 Hindsight II in 1982 and then raced (including two Sydney to Hobarts) and cruised until 1990.
Junior’s Programme – Learn to Sail
Richard began his second significant period of involvement with the Club in 2000 when his son Jay was ready to sail, and he continued his involvement in the Club’s Junior programs for many years to follow. He volunteered to run many of the Learn to Sail courses, even running additional programs when demand exceeded supply – he was not prepared to let a young kid miss the opportunity to learn to sail.
Many of the Club’s Junior and Youth sailors benefited from his patient, enthusiastic and dedicated instruction. In 2001 he purchased a Flying Eleven and took on the role of skipper himself with Jay as crew. Simultaneously he put a large effort into promoting and developing the class – becoming F11 Class Secretary at the Club and taking on Executive roles with the Class Association.
Recognising the need to improve skill level in our F11 fleet, Richard organised training, provided guidance in rigging, he organised crews and encouraged and facilitated participation at Interclub regattas. The results were obvious.
Each year from 2001 the average placing of Lane Cove crews at the National Championships lifted, reaching a high point in 2006 when five of the Club’s eight crews placed in the top half of the National’s fleet with three in the top 10. Andrew & Alison Chapman’s victory in the F11 Nationals in 2005 was in part testament to Richard’s enthusiastic coaching efforts.
Additional Response Boat – Griff to the Rescue
Griff worked tirelessly for the Club, whether it was updating the Constitution in the late 70s, or when the Club needed an additional response boat.
In 2005-06 with Onwater Captain Bob Paton, Griff helped identify, purchase and then refit Bonnie – which has gone on to provide the Club with 18 years of uninterrupted service as a response boat.
Griff also served as On Water Captain for three terms beginning 2009-10 and was the key mover for purchasing the first Arvor Ted Griffith in February 2012.
Griff Will Be Missed
Sadly, a stroke in 2015 affected him badly and prevented him from getting back to the Club and out on the river that he loved.
In total, he was a member of the Club for 70 years, including being made a Life Member in 2006. The Club has been privileged to receive a portion of his passion, enthusiasm and his wisdom.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, and our thoughts go out to Helen, his children and Tracey, his partner of 39 years.
Contributors: Ian Meggitt, Rolf Lunsmann, Jack Winning, Andrew Chapman & Richard Kornman
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