More than 100 members of Ron Given's family and the sailing fraternity gathered recently at RNZYS, Westhaven to celebrate the life of the creator of the Paper Tiger and one of the most foremost multihull designers from New Zealand in recent memory. John Macfarlane, the noted boating journalist was a very effective MC for the proceedings.

Andree Given thanking family and friends - John Macfarlane, MC seated front left

The Paper Tiger family were well represented with class legends Terry Valder,  four times NZ National Title winner and NZPTOA life member, Bruce Little, Australian National Title winner in 1973 and NZ National Title winner in 1974, David Peet, winner of the 1970 NZ National Title plus Derek Scott, dual NZ National Title winner, all were in attendance.

Derek Scott's champion PT #3106 Black Betty was outside the entrance of the RNZYS as a feature of the tribute.

Mark Jones, NZPTOA President had kindly arranged to send the Teams Trophy for the Internationals from New Plymouth for display at the function. The cup had been presented by Ron as a perpetual trophy at the 1st Internationals way back in 1975.

Other notable luminaries there, amongst others were John Street, (speaker #1), Ron's boss at A Foster & Co Ltd and patriarch of the NZ marine industry, Peter Montgomery, legendary sailing broadcaster plus America's Cup Hall of fame inductee and Grant Beck, NZ Olympic wndsurfer/boardsailing coach. A lot of New Zealand sailing talent for sure, had come together to honour one of their own.

Brian Robinson delivering the Paper Tiger component

Brian Robinson, former Paper Tiger skipper and team member in the Internationals, twice for NZ and four times for Australia had specially travelled from his home in Perth. He was one of six speakers that covered Ron's extensive six decades long sailing and design career. Brian's brief was to cover the Paper Tiger design and how it became NZ's most successful off the beach craft ever plus where the class is today.