Geoffrey Vivian Myburgh (30 December 1928 – 2 March 2010) was a South African Olympic sailor. He was one of the founders of the National Sea Rescue Institute, of which he became financial director, chairman, and life governor.
Geoffrey Vivian Myburgh was born on 30 December 1928.[1]
Career
Myburgh started his sailing career from Kalk Bay on Spindrift, designed by Norman Ross of the RCYC. In 1951, he began sailing at ZVYC crewing with Joyce, Bongers, and Burnwood. He sailed for RCYC on Sea Swallow, and competed 30 square metres in the event, in the Lipton Cup Challenge in 1952.[citation needed]
He helped with the construction of the first 20 Optimists at ZVYC in 1971, and introduced the Laser into the country in 1973 and sailed many world championships winning several master's trophies in the class.[5]
He later received the SA Sports Merit Award as a coach in 1977. He became an ISAF international judge in 1982, a status that continued for the rest of his life, and travelled the world in this role. He was involved in the administration of various classes and was principal race officer and chairman of the organising committees for many major events, including Cork Week.[citation needed]
Death
On 2 March 2010, Myburgh died at the age of 81.[4]
