UNSINKABLE

Peter Valentino interviews Darius Goodwin, managing director at RLR Ltd, on the nostalgic days of their chandlery that’s been operating for some 50 years and on the major challenges and changes that came about over the years.

Darius Goodwin

I’m sure it happens to all of us as we drive or walk past certain places that were part of our childhood. We tend to remember what places looked like, what particular shops used to sell, odours of spaces, the faces of those we used to meet, characters per se and so much more.

I recently wanted a Slam shirt and without thinking much I drove to Gżira and walked into RLR; a chandlery that I’m sure is known to all. It’s a landmark, both in the industry of yachting and as a building; and who knows how many a time I used it to give directions to someone.

So many memories came back to me as I walked in; mind you, they always do, and this time in particular it felt as though I was six years old again because I suddenly pictured the chandlery as it was then. A shop window and a long rectangular shop that was so interesting. It was full of boating equipment, and when I say full, I mean it. Buoys and tackle that hung from the ceiling; yes, I remember all these orange and white buoys, oars, boat hooks and ropes that were all suspended from high above.

That whiff, that particular odour of rubber; the distinct smell of foul weather gear, that in those days was most generally in yellow; and of the boots that were made out of thin rubber. I used to spend a lot of time in that shop with my dad who always after a particular rope or fitting and as he used to say ‘let’s go to RLR; let’s get the proper thing’. I mentioned this because I remember it so very well. Yes, it was and still is a chandlery, but it had the club effect where anyone who had a boat could be found there, rummaging through newly imported items; and the dishevelled display in itself made it indeed even more interesting.

I remember that in those days most of us wore what was available; so, our dinghy sailing clothes consisted of a track suit, at best. Not only did this mean that we froze during winter but getting back aboard a dinghy after a capsize meant you kissed your race goodbye since the track suit would absorb so much water that getting back on was so time consuming and the exercise in itself required serious effort. It was a bit like out of a cartoon and this certainly isn’t the case nowadays. Times changed and RLR moved with time and I now wish the rest of this to be tacked by Darius Goodwin who holds the position of Managing Director at RLR. Now I know that many of you already know Darius; every sailor certainly does but there’s something I wish to say. He’s straightforward, he’s a gentleman, he’s a keen sailor and he loves sport in general. He’s an athlete who always aims higher and climbs with respect. I last saw Darius when I walked in to purchase my shirt and that’s when I hinted I wished to interview him.

When did you join RLR and how did this come about?

I was approached by Christian Ripard back in 2003 to join RLR. My job at that time was not related to yachting and I felt it was time to make a career change back to an industry which I feel passionate about.

Where does RLR fit into the Maltese maritime history, both in sport and industry?

As many of your readers will know, RLR has been around since the early 1960s and was the first Chandlery on the Maltese islands. John and Paul Ripard managed to secure some very important agencies of which many of them we still represent. They competed in the 1960 Rome Olympics against Keith Musto who until today, each time we meet, reminds me of the regatta. Today a company survives on a sound business practice in a very competitive world. At the time of RLR’s inception, sailing was a passion for John and Paul and they wanted to promote the sport in Malta. As time passed, so did the yachting scene and the business started to grow at quite a dramatic rate.

Today, when I visit shows and attend regattas overseas, the Ripard name still carries a lot of weight because of John and Paul and this shows me how much respect there is within the industry. Several of the Ripard grandchildren are working in yacht-related activities around the globe so the name is still active.

Darius Goodwin with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

That whiff, that particular odour of rubber; the distinct smell of foul weather gear, that in those days was most generally in yellow; and of the boots that were made out of thin rubber.

How long did it take you to fit in and nowadays what’s your typical day like?

My early days at RLR were varied and extremely hectic. I was trying to learn the ropes, no pun intended, and I came into a business which covered so many different aspects of yachting so there really was so much to learn. I must admit that I always preferred to be out in the marinas talking with customers on their boats but at the end of the day, one always needs to get down to the countless emails and administrative work there is.

Today, our business has changed and moved with the industry. Life is faster and the day can start from Home as soon as I wake up. 2019 no longer allows us to leave our computers at work. Our phones and emails are with us all time so it’s very hard not to start the working day early. As is the case in any business, you can plan the day ahead but things can change. Priority issues often take over the daily grind and we need to act accordingly.

You’ve seen many changes; a new shop and eventually new offices. Are your clients better served though this?

RLR is very lucky to be able to operate from the location we are in. For many years, the ‘old’ building served customers as a retail outlet, work shop, spare parts shop and even a small grocer which I only found out about a few years ago. Is change good? This is difficult to answer and, as you know yourself Peter, you remember the smells and layout of the old RLR which is reminiscent of that era. Every business needs to move with the times and we have had to make some drastic changes over the years some of which were not ideal. The new outlet is smaller, but we have tried to keep this a friendly and inviting place. A lot of the brands we represent ask us to adhere to their own protocol with regards to displaying their products, areas etc. In one way, we lose the old character but on the other hand, the younger customer expects this type of cleaner and more organised layout.

You’ve also witnessed changes in equipment and I’d particularly like you to focus on foul weather gear. I remember the days when foul weather gear was heavy, unsightly, and uncomfortable Moreover it wasn’t really waterproof. Where do we stand now?

I have been sailing for the last 26 years and the changes in design, fabrics and applications has been huge. Foul weather gear today is a massive area of the industry.

We can split this into several different applications being dinghy sailing, power boating and keel boat sailing. Even then, this can be further split into specialised applications. For example, on a Day Race Boat, the Bowman cannot do his job in big heavy gear so he requires lighter flexible garments that still need to keep him dry. However, crew participating in an Off-Shore Race could often be on deck for long periods of time and retire into a wet and damp cabin so they need to be dry and warm. The products have come a long way in terms of technology and they are now using top athletes and big races to test and develop the products. Musto’s R&D department works hand in hand with real time

Sailors to constantly improve the garments. The technical side of the development is extremely interesting and we are constantly seeing improvements and new product being made available. So today we can offer a product for any type of activity that will keep you dry and safe.

Your best day at RLR so far?

Wow, difficult question to answer. I honestly cannot pinpoint to one particular day in the last 16 years. However, there have been a number of highs and the Middle Sea Race always brings a lot of exciting times. Its unfortunate Malta can only host one big international yachting event a year but the RMYC do a fantastic job with this race. We meet so many sailors in the shop during the few weeks they are here and they cannot praise the event enough. It brings the local yachting community together and shows all the visiting crews what we have on offer. It really is the highlight of the season for me.

We’ve gone through a few points, but I’d now like you to tell our readers a bit more about RLR; and I’ll leave this entirely in your hands. (maybe you wish to mention power boatrelated items?)

RLR has been around for over 50 years now and as a company, it has passed through some challenging times and also seen major changes in the yachting industry. We have the pleasure in representing market leaders such as Volvo Penta, Raymarine, Musto, SLAM and many others. It’s a very challenging business but one which is also rewarding. Fixing a problem for a cruiser so he can head off to his next destination, guiding and advising a customer on his next foul weather purchase, installing new navigational equipment as an upgrade or just listening to the seasoned sailors and their stories are all part of the job for us here.

All of this would not be possible without the team we have who, I must say, are the backbone of our business.

Darius, on behalf of our readers I thank you for your time and for this interview that I’m sure our readers will enjoy and appreciate.