Cullen Keytel

02 Feb 2001 – 30 Oct 2019

 
It is with great sadness that we convey the news of the passing of one of our finest young sailors, Cullen Keytel. 

Cullen succumbed this morning to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on Friday.

A very talented young man, Cullen learnt to sail at the Hermanus and Zeekoevlei Yacht Clubs. He sailed on many different classes.  However, his real love was the Laser, once stating that: “When I went onto a Laser, I felt somehow connected to the boat.”

Cullen was awarded his National Protea Junior Colours in June 2018 and was part of the national youth team representing South Africa at the Youth Sailing World Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA and again in June 2019, in Gydnia, Poland.  Having already achieved so much success in the sport, Cullen’s ultimate goal was to participate in the 2024 Olympics.

In 2018 he was awarded the Under-19 Sportsman of the Year award for the Overberg District and this year was awarded the Rob Meek Memorial Trophy for the Junior Sailor of the Year WC.  

Cullen regularly assisted in promoting the sport at boat shows, schools and events held around the country and gave back to the sport he loved so much by helping to coach and train his peers.

His teammates, peers and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him will remember Cullen as being committed, driven and passionate about the sport, always smiling, as well as being an all-round exemplary young man who cared deeply for those around him.

He will be sorely missed by the sailing community and our thoughts and prayers are with Bruce, Liza and his extended family.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Cullen Keytel Fund for Laser Youth Sailing

 
The details of the funeral will be forthcoming