José “Pepe” Pérez Morales (ESP)

José “Pepe” Pérez was born in Alumbres, a small town near Cartagena, Spain in February 1941. 

He began sailing on everything that floated from an early age, and after a few years purchased Snipe 19240 Araez he names “Nereida I”.  His Club, Club Nautico de Los Nietos had recently formed a Snipe fleet 686 and in 1968 Pepe joined in on a Snipe race and that was it. 

He dedicated himself to racing in Mar Menor Clubs and later ventured to other parts of Spain. 

In 1983 with his best friend Paco Pérez, he attended his first measurer course, taught by Antonio Espada which began his extensive career in measurement and becoming a SCIRA official measurer. 

He was Spanish National Secretary between 2004 and 2006 and on the Spanish Snipe Board since 1983.

Collaborating with other measures, he created measurement tools, measurement clinics and encouraged universal measurement in the Snipe Class. 

Pepe said was makes him most happy about the Snipe class is the spirit of collaboration and friendship between all the sailors and what he values most is the large number of friends he has made around the world.  His constructive and kind spirit above competition in the water has always been an example for everyone to follow.

His loyalty to the Class over the last five decades can be seen on the starboard side of his Snipe “Nereida VI” – 23261 where all the annual decals of the Class are on display since 1973.