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At the NATA AGM on October 7, 2000, the Association named Zig Burzycki as the winner of the Richard Spencer Inspirational Award.
Zig was sailing a Tasar in Seattle in the early 80's when the class had almost disappeared in the Pacific North West. Along with Mary Paddon in Vancouver, Zig was instrumental in getting the class re-established. By 1982, when Zig organized the US Nationals in Seattle, the class had come back from a near death experience, and 21 boats competed.
Zig and his wife Jennifer were strong competitors in the Tasar. In 1988 they finished third in the 120 boat fleet sailing in the Tasar Worlds at Keppel Bay in Queensland. Zig and Jennifer's sailing activities were scaled back somewhat when they had triplets in 1996.
Zig is a gifted and creative craftsmen who found many ways to make small - class legal - improvements to Tasars. In 1992 he developed the notched rotation stop which was endorsed by the designer and is now standard on North American Tasars.
Zig was a dealer for the Tasar for many years, and in 1996, working out of a rented truck, he provided amazing support to the sometimes battered fleet sailing in the Worlds at the Gorge in Cascade Locks, Oregon. Most days several boats were on the water because Zig had worked late the night before.
Today, Zig runs Cat's Paw Boats, and although he is no longer a Tasar dealer, he continues to provide equipment, support and advice to many Tasar sailors. Over the years Zig has made tremendous contributions to the Tasar class. He has truly been an inspiration to us all.
Richard Spencer.
Posted 00/10/19