The Association of Bahamas marinas notes with sadness the passing of Sir Durward Knowles. Sir Durward, who recently became an honorary member of the ABM’s Voyager programme for boaters, was known to his fellow Bahamians as the “Sea Wolf.”

He was taught to sail at a young age by his father and his passion for it was first rewarded when he competed internationally in the Star Class at the 1946 World Championships, in which he won a bronze medal alongside teammate Basil Kelly. With that, a phenomenal winning streak had begun. A year later, with Sloane Farrington, he took gold and was selected for his first of eight Olympic teams.

In 1948 he competed and came in fourth with Farrington. In 1952 they were fifth, but they earned their first medal, bronze, in 1956, which became the nation’s first Olympic medal. Farrington remained with him through 1960, when they placed sixth, and then retired and was replaced by Cecil Cooke. At the 1964 Games, they won The Bahamas’ first Olympic gold medal.

Sir Durward competed with his stepbrother, Percy in 1968 and with Montague Higgs in 1972, placing fifth and thirteenth respectively. When he made a surprise return at the 1988 Games, he became one of only four Olympians at the time to have competed in eight editions of the Games. He was also one of only four Olympians at that time to have competed over a span of 40 years and was the oldest competitor at the Games and carried the Bahamian flag in the opening ceremony, and finished 19th with a partner who had not even been born when Sir Durward had taken part in his first two Olympics.

In addition to his Olympic accomplishments, Sir Durward also took silver at the 1954 World Championships, with Sloane Farrington, gold at the 1959 Pan-American Games, again with Farrington, and bronze at the 1974 World Championships, with non-Olympian Gerald Ford. He received the Olympic Order in Silver in 1989 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1996.

Having recently celebrated his 100th. birthday, Sir Durward Knowles, our Sea Wolf, is the oldest living Olympic champion.

It is for these remarkable accomplishments, all achieved on the ocean waters of the world, that the Association of Bahamas Marinas invited Sir Durward to join us as an honorary Voyager member, a category of membership through which we embrace seafarers.

Our association mourns the loss of this distinguished member and great Bahamian, even as we celebrate his long and distinguished life.

We extend condolences to Lady Knowles, his family and his wide circle of friends.