Harold La Borde

La Borde was born on 18 June 1933, Trinidad, West Indies, to parents with mixed ethnicity.

He was educated at a local Roman Catholic school and began his sailing career by building dinghies, in which he taught himself the rudiments of seamanship.

Harold and Kwailan, who were married in 1959, made their maiden voyage in the 26-foot vessel, Humming Bird, to England in 1960, together with a friend, Buck Wong Chong.

Harold's full-time job was working on the Humming Bird III, while Kwailan finished their autobiography entitled Wind, Sea, and Faith.

He was survived by his wife, Kwailan, sons Pierre and Andre, three grandchildren and his brothers Rudy and Hugh.