Frank Bethwaite

Frank Bethwaite DFC, OAM (26 May 1920, Wanganui, New Zealand – 12 May 2012) was an award-winning boat designer, author and Olympic meteorologist.

Biography

Bethwaite built his first boat (a 16 ft sailing canoe) as a teenager. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force at the outbreak of the Second World War, becoming a flight instructor and test pilot before flying bombing missions over the Pacific during 1944 and 1945. He rose to the rank of Squadron Leader and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he became a commercial airline pilot for Tasman Airways (later Air New Zealand).

Bethwaite had four children with his wife Nel: Christine, Mark (an Olympic and World Championship competitor), Nicola (also an Olympic and World Championship competitor) and Julian (World Championship Competitor and boat designer). After settling in Sydney, Bethwaite designed a small boat suitable for his youngest children to use to learn how to sail. This became known as the Northbridge Junior (now known as the 9er). Bethwaite is most well known for designing the Tasar and Laser 2 Dinghy Classes.