Andrew Wills – Sailor

His name is Andrew Wills but you can call him Willzy. Something of a prodigy in the racing world, at just 31 he’s the sales and marketing manager for North Sails NZ, coaches the NZ Optimist Team (who are all under the age of 15) and the World Youth Olympic Team, and is the tactician for the Tirade racing team. His shelves are heaving with national and international accolades and on top of this he has multiple degrees in business. Oh, and he’s modest.

“It’s good fun,” is all he’ll say when accused of high achievement.

While his parents didn’t sail, Willzy grew up near the water and began sailing from the age of eight and “never really stopped”.

“I love it. It’s different every time you go out, it’s a good leveler, it doesn’t matter what you did last week everything can change and just being out in the sun, it’s a good scene.”

With so much sailing in his daily life, what does he do to relax? More of the same, of course.

“I do a lot of racing but when I’ve got time off I enjoy going out with my wife, cruising. I just love all water sports, wakeboarding and stuff as well.”

He’s just returned from coaching the Optimist team in the world champs in Malaysia over Christmas and is now in the middle of the racing season.

The multi-award winning Tirade team have just been in Opua for the Bay of Islands Sailing Week, with seven races around the country and two in San Diego to follow.

“It’s awesome sailing with your buddies,” says Willzy.

Later in the year he’s expecting his first child, when he says he’ll have to be a little more judicious about how he spends his time.

“I’ve just got to consider what I’m doing a little bit, like try and do more important ones and less of them.”

Favourite STOLEN Rum cocktail: STOLEN Mojito. “But then as a normal drink I like my rum and dry (ginger ale).”