People Features

When Mervyn Templeton isn't making sure everything is running smoothly as centre manager of Sunderland Marine Activities Centre, racing boats in Hartlepool or making model Scalextric cars, he still manages to find time to teach the people of Wearside how to set sail.

So if you're looking for information on sailing, you may be hard pushed to find someone who knows more than Mervyn.

Passion for sailing

Born in Sunderland, Mervyn moved away to Wallingford at the age of nine after his father pre-empted the future of his job on the Sunderland shipyards.

"That's where I had my youth upbringing," Mervyn remembers, "And from there I went to university in London, got married, started a family and decided London wasn't the best place to bring up young family so we moved to more rural Hertfordshire."

Mervyn, Andrew and Jonathan Miles

While in Hertfordshire Mervyn got involved with the scouts and used his instructor qualifications to introduce the youngsters to exciting expeditions on water including sailing and kayaking.

His passion for sailing rubbed off on one particular student who went on to work through the ranks to compete with the regional racing squad and has now taken over Mervyn's role.

Getting behind the wheel

Mervyn moved back to Sunderland six years ago to start working at the Sunderland Marine Activities Centre which is not only an independent charity but a Recognised Training Centre for both the Royal Yachting Association and the British Canoe Union.

Money from the water sports and activities hosted at Sunderland's marina goes towards the funding of the centre: "We're not grant funded by anyone so we have to break even on our operating costs.

Mervyn setting sail on the Wear

"We work closely with the university student unions club, we operate together with the union's canoe clubs, surf club and offer the expertise to train up the students."

It's good for your health

Don't worry if you have never tried it before, apparently, it's not too different from learning to drive: "Changing gears is a technique and being able to turn the boat around, it's exactly the same concept.

"They're nervous about the boat and the environment they're in ... I show people, let them have a practice and correct their mistakes, show them again or give them advice until they get the technique working smoothly again," said Mervyn.

The 57-year-old welcomes people of all ages to come down and have a go: "I think it's great to get people into sports, it beats sitting at a computer screen playing computer games. Fresh air and exercise is good for your health!".

To find out more about Sunderland Marina and the activities, click the links in the top right corner of the page.