60 Seconds with Diana Valia Chen…

Read on to find our why a Russian grandmother’s plans were thwarted by Aussies’ lack of diction... 

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? 
When I complained to my boyfriend that we weren't spending enough time together as he was always out sailing, he booked me in for dinghy lessons. I completed level 1 at the end of 2015 but didn't have the opportunity to do the next level until a year later. I now have my boyfriend's Laser and sail more than him 😁

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? 
I'm a designer by trade, so I would definitely design my own and get the best boat builder in the world to realise my vision.

3. What is your sailing goal? 
Learn as much as I can and be more competitive.

4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name? 
My boat came from GRSC and they all have funny names. Passing Wind is too good to change.

5. If you could add any ingredient to our already world’s best toasties – what would it be?
Sriracha or bread & butter pickles.

6. What are your second/third favourite hobbies (obviously assuming sailing holds the #1 spot)
I did do a bit of indoor bouldering as it was a good excuse to go to my favourite brewery afterwards (which was conveniently located across the street). Now it's bush walks and bike rides.

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words? 
Swiss Army Knife

8. What’s the first international flight you are going to book post Covid-19? And why? 
England (in-laws) via Vietnam (cancelled trip), but it would more likely be New Zealand (if options were limited) as we try to go every year either for snowboarding or cycling.

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book?
I was a huge movie buff when I was at uni (as you could rent 10 DVDs for $10), so there are just too many to list, but Bladerunner would definitely be in my top 5. In the same dystopian theme, I love Nineteen Eighty Four and Brave New World. Current TV show binge is Dark - Season 3 on Netflix.

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
My Russian grandmother named me Valia (short for Valentina) which was then translated to a non-poetic Chinese name "Hua Li Ya", which was then changed to Diana when we arrived in Australia in the 80s as the kids at school couldn't pronounce Valia 😆

Diana at sailing lessons at GRSC.