After 11 years at the helm, Peter Barton steps down as RS Aero International Class Manager, handing over the role to Sammy Isaacs-Johnson. Sammy will continue the legacy built by Peter – the driving force behind the class’s remarkable momentum. RS Sailing sat down with Peter to reflect on his achievements, fondest memories and what the future holds as he looks toward retirement.
Freedom of Sailing: How It All Began
Peter’s passion for sailing began in his childhood, when his dad took him sailing in an Enterprise to see the seals on the half tide rocks near Abersoch. From here, his enthusiasm only grew, competing in 18ft Skiffs and International Moths. “I think it was the freedom”, Peter says, “the ability to take a boat out as a youngster and just have that responsibility of being out on your own”. This freedom amplified on discovering the RS Aero. “I did wonder if a simple boat like the RS Aero would keep my interest,” he admits, “but after sailing it I realised it was a great racing challenge; it was what I’d been missing from sailing fast boats like the Moth and asymmetric boats.”
From Vision to Global Class: Establishing The Role of Class Manager
Being invited to take on the role as RS Aero Class Manager was a “great honour” to Peter, but one that didn’t come without its challenges! “I got to define the process of managing the class myself… the challenge was really an ‘information’ one; getting messages out to sailors in isolated parts of the world.” Under his leadership, the RS Aero Class achieved a global reach, with sailors enjoying the boat in all corners of the globe. Peter maintains: “it’s a lot more rewarding if you can do things simply and efficiently – so you’ve got more time to enjoy it.” His “work hard, play harder” ethos is cemented at the heart of the class. “I wanted to make sure that every sailor across the world knew exactly how to rig, set up and enjoy their Aeros”, he adds: “if it’s hard work, you’re probably doing it wrong!”
For Peter, the challenges were definitely outweighed by the memorable moments, including the huge range of countries and clubs he’s been fortunate enough to visit in the role. “Every location is a little bit different for both being able to race effectively but also being able to run a regatta that everybody enjoys. We’ve visited some fantastic places – I’ve really enjoyed the whole geography lesson and the ability to travel to beautiful locations!” It wasn’t only the international events that did it for Peter, but also the “local clubs in the UK, seeing how they do things and meeting all the people and personalities”.
Uniting Sailors Worldwide: Celebrating Community
Yet for all the beautiful locations, it’s the people that matter most for Peter. “The camaraderie of the RS Aero sailor is a very special sort of person”, he says, and RS Sailing agrees that it’s the sailors themselves that make the class so remarkable. “We have an absolute wealth of personalities, from your beginner sailors to your expert sailors – we’ve got them all! The whole match of putting them all together and mixing them up is a great experience.” For Peter, this is what made the role so magical. “I might communicate with six different countries in one day; they’re all getting something a bit different out of the RS Aero Class experience. Helping them is hugely rewarding for me, and I will miss that interaction going forward”.
Steering Success: The Five Key Principles
When asked about the defining characteristics of the RS Aero, Peter outlines five key principles: simplicity, equality, affordability, reliability and its lightweight design. Simplicity is everything: “it’s easy to transport, easy to rig – everybody understands it. At just 32kg, the exhilaration when the boat accelerates is unlike anything else – no other boat gets close to it,” Peter adds, before describing its affordability and reliability: “we can go out in 30 knots, and it doesn’t break.” And its equality: “we have a very strict set of class rules, and we protect those religiously to ensure that whether you’re in the UK, Europe or beyond, the RS Aero experience is about unity and togetherness.” To Peter, these principles are the foundation of the class’s strength, and he is excited to see how this will grow into the future.
Highlight Events: Past and Future Campaigns
On the topic of the strong position, Peter reflects on past and future events that he has been a part of, spanning both hemispheres. “We’ve had some fantastic major events recently in Quiberon, France last year [2025] for our World Championship”, and the largest event ever in Australia at the Australian National Championships 2026 – setting the tone for the 2027 Worlds at the same venue next year. “It gives me focus and something to look forward to”, he says, highlighting the enjoyment in combining travel and the sport he loves.
One of the things that the RS Aero class does so well is getting that Events Calendar out so far in advance so people can really plan their campaigns. “I think people like to get something in the diary – if it’s there it can tempt people in from other classes and they can see that they can have fun for the next year sailing the Aero.”
“I’m hugely looking forward to the World Championships in Australia next January [2027]. There’s quite a few Europeans going down there to visit a year in advance for the Australian Championships; from Ireland, Scotland, Great Britain – and Japan as well! It’s going to be a fantastic event so I can’t wait for those events and continuing to compete in the RS Aero class. I love it!”
Still On the Start Line: Racing into Retirement
Stepping down doesn’t mean stepping away for Peter. He is looking forward to returning to that freedom he appreciated so much as a child: “There’s nothing I enjoy more than going out all on my own. Hurst Castle and back from Lymington, with wind against tide, is my standard training run – enjoying the waves all the way home.” This definitely isn’t the end of his RS Aero journey, either, warning sailors on the start line to “watch out for me on the racecourse!”
“I’m hugely grateful to Jo Richards for designing the boat, and RS Sailing for assisting with the final points for the design and then taking it to market and doing such a great job with their international dealer network.”
More Than A Decade at the Helm: Peter’s RS Aero Legacy
Peter is succeeded by Sammy Isaacs-Johnson, the current RS Aero 5 European champion. Sammy has been a part of the class for a decade and has also run the UK winter training programme as Head UK Coach. Speaking on the new manager, Peter says: “I think Sammy will be fantastic for the class. He’s moved up in the ranks over the last 10 years he’s been in the class, so he’s hugely experienced and all set! Continue the love, I hope you get as much enjoyment and fulfilment as I have. It’s been a hugely rewarding experience and I look forward to the next decade of the RS Aero going from strength to strength.”
RS Sailing’s Managing Director Alex Newton-Southon commented: “Firstly, thank you, Peter, for everything you’ve done for the RS Aero Class over the years. It’s impossible to overstate the impact you’ve had. Your passion, energy, and sheer commitment have been instrumental in building the class into what it is today.
On behalf of RS Sailing, and myself personally, I want to say a heartfelt thank you. The RS Aero class simply wouldn’t be what it is without you. You’ve given the class far more than a strong foundation; you’ve built a thriving international community – a lasting impact that will be felt across the class for generations.”
Sammy will no doubt be a great fit for the role, and Peter’s legacy will continue to shape the RS Aero Class long into the future.
