Jock joined Taylors Mistake in 1960 and competed with some success as a junior in rescue and resuscitation events, canoes and boats. His main interest in competition was R&R events both as a competitor, coach and surf official. These were the blue ribbon events of surf life saving and his record in these events would be unsurpassed by anyone in New Zealand. 
In 1963 he was a member of the only Junior Six Man team in the Club’s history to win the national title. He was a member of the club’s senior six man team that won national titles (The Nelson Shield) in 1979 and 1981. He is our club’s most successful R&R coach – coaching 5 winning Nelson Shield teams between 1983 and 1990. His teams also won two national 4 man titles during this period. In 1987 he coached two open six man teams from the club and they were placed 1st and 3rd at the national champs. The following year his team won again with a perfect score – the unprecedented deductions of 0.00 points.
Jock worked for IBM for most of his life and in 1991 his work took him to Wellington where he joined Lyall Bay Surf Lifesaving Club.
There he coached their Women’s team to a 1993 World Masters 4 man title and the 1994 NZ Ladies 6 R&R title.
Jock had great skills as an administrator and served our club for a number of years as a committee member, club captain and president – all with great success. He was club captain from 1978 to 1980 when Taylors Mistake SLSC won the Allan Gardener Trophy for the Top Club at the 1980 National Championships – the only time in the club’s history that we have achieved this. He was club president from 1986 – 1989.
He received a Canterbury Service Award in 1989, a Wellington Service Award in 1994 and a Distinguished New Zealand Service Award in 2004.
Many years ago Jock took out an insurance policy for the benefit of the club. He requested that it went into the Club’s Rescue Trust which benefitted by $26,000. Jock was always prepared to give back much more than he ever took from the sport and club that he loved so much. He unselfishly gave us a huge part of his life and our club is greatly indebted to him. Jock passed away in February 2008.
