WHO WE ARE: CHRIS WALTER

Get To Know Your Local Service Expert

Chris Walter is part of the service team at the Vancouver loft and has been with North Sails

for seven years. He is 34 years old from Vancouver and the first boat he sailed on was a Cooper 353.

What is your favourite local regatta/race and why?

Too many to choose from, I love them all. The top would be the Columbia Gorge One Design Regatta (CGOD). Who doesn't love 20 knts, temp in the mid 30s and bathtub warm water? All in a spectacular Venue. The Vanisle 360 is also a favourite. The scenery is amazing and it's a real challenge both physically and mentally.

Where is your favourite spot to go cruising and why?

Anywhere I can get to. The whole coast of B.C. is beautiful.

What is your favourite design of boat and why?

The IMOCA 60 is my favourite design because of the forefront of design in ocean racing; plus the crazy people who sail them!

What is it about sailing that you enjoy the most?

I enjoy being outside and enjoying nature in addition to the power of the elements.

What activities you enjoy outside of sailing?

I enjoy skiing. I've been skiing since I was a kid at various resorts. Now a days, I ski with my brother at Sun Peaks.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people would not know.

I have never lived on land. I was born and have lived on a sailboat my entire life. First we lived on a Cooper 353 them a Brandlmayr 48. We had a dog growing up who lived on the boat with us, a schipperke, as well as a couple of hamsters.

How have you been keeping busy since all racing has been cancelled?

I've been fixing up my old boat, a C&C 32, mostly replacing all the things that slowly break on a nearly 40 year old boat. I added lazyjacks and sail bag, similar to what boats in ocean races use. I still have a regular sail cover for when I'm not sailing but this new one will contain the sail better while I'm out sailing. I've never raced the boat however was planning to do the Round Bowen race this year and perhaps a single handed race; we'll see what happens.