MURIWAI, WEST AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

OLYMPIC BOARDSAILING GOLD MEDALIST TRIES OUT NZ301

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2001

From Geoff Hall

After the cancellation of racing for the day due to adverse tide, weather and sunlight conditions I began to wonder when I would get a chance to go out sailing again before next weekend's Blokart International 100km Winter Enduro at Muriwai.

While lying in bed contemplating this the phone rang. It was Colin Palmer letting me know that later this afternoon he was taking out Bruce Kendall to The Hilton for a couple of hours sail before dark and he invited me to come along. Heck, yeah, I would love too. Firstly, because The Hilton rocks and, secondly, a chance to meet one of New Zealand's sailing icons. OK so where on earth is The Hilton and who's Bruce Kendall?

The Hilton: It's the top part Muriwai Beach which sweeps around on a 45 degree angle over the last seven kilometres of beach, making this piece of real estate the preferred sailing site by many landyachties as a course can be set to any westerly wind direction. The area has been dubbed "The Hilton" by landyachties who have over the years camped up there rather than drive the 54kms back down the beach when weekend regattas are being held. So why the Hilton? Well, I guess that's just a play on words as there is nothing up there apart from sand dunes and tussock plants.

Bruce Kendall: You could stop any Kiwi in the street and ask them "Who is Bruce Kendall?" And the reply would be something in the line of "He's that gold medal winner in sailing isn't he?" or something like "Bruce, yeah! He won a gold medal in boardsailing at the Seoul Olympics and a bronze at the Los Angeles Olympics as well!" In fact, these are the just the tip of list of achievements Bruce has in the sport of windsurfing during the 80's and 90's. A a few of his titles are...

1984 Olympic Bronze medal
1988 Olympic Gold medal, Pusan, Korea.
1989 1st Malta to Sicily Marathon
1990 2nd Windsurf World Festival, Sicily
1990, 1992, 1993 - 1st in the Singapore Open
1992 4th Olympic Games, Barcelona, Spain.
1993 1st Mistral Worlds, Japan
1994 1st International Classes Regatta, Australia
1994 2nd Mistral Worlds, Canada

Former world champion and Olympic gold medallist boardsailor Bruce Kendall.

After meeting up at Colin's place at around 2:30 and introductions took place we headed off to the beach. It always amazes me when driving along Muriwai Beach with its rugged Tasman Sea on one side then a black ironsand beach and then golden sand dunes with tussock plants, on the other side, which carries on for mile after mile.

Once we arrived at our destination Mark Balkhaus checked out the wind speed with his meter and geez 35 knots straight from the west! This was going to be fun and I didn't bring a spare set of boxer shorts! Anyway it was not the time to show fear! I'll just pass on being offered a go in a yacht by saying "Oh she's right mate! I'll just take photos! You guys carry on!" Yep that'll work... hell did I bring my camera?

Once all the yachts were rigged and Colin had gone over the workings and finer points of handling the craft with his guests it was time to rock 'n' roll. Bruce headed out in Colin's Class 3 first and like a duck to water, the two of them were in tune instantly. Bruce had NZ301 fair flying along, constantly hiking a wheel. He's a natural and he was loving every minute of it!

Aaron, a good mate of Bruce's, was next to head out. You could just tell this guy has been around yachting all his life as well. He rigged the YOTT, jury-rigged a downhaul, reset the foot tension, set the mainsheet and tuned the battens all in a matter of minutes. Pretty impressive stuff for someone who has never seen a landyacht before.

Out on the track Aaron showed us all that he to was a natural, hiking the YOTT in long runs adapting to the change in the wind velocity and direction, using the soft sand to scrub off speed and every time he went past he gave us a beaming smile and a thumbs up!

Colin and Mark were next out - Colin in his YOTT flying along at great speeds trying to keep up with his guests and give them a few pointers. Mark had his Seagull being his first visit to "The Muriwai Hilton". He was very impressed. Also Mark brought along his Blokart which a friend of his was using and enjoying in the conditions.

All-in-all it was a great couple of hours sail apart from one squall that brought with it about 5 mins of rain. The afternoon was a lot of fun for everyone there. When we left the beach and Aaron and Bruce were talking a lot about the sport, asking questions, etc you could just tell that the bug that has bitten us all, has now landed on two more prospects!

See you all at the Enduro!

Geoff Hall
ALYC

SUNDAY'S IMAGES Click on photo for larger image.
Aaron, Bruce and Colin.	Bruce and Colin rigging NZ301.	Aaron (left) Bruce and Colin.
Bruce Kendall gets the feel of a big yacht.	Another of Bruce.	Windsurf boards can't do this!
Colin giving his IMAC YOTT some stick.	Aaron setting off in Matt Hemingway's old Yorker.	Mark in his "Burger King" c5 Seagull.
Mark's friend trying out the Blokart mini yacht.	Another of Mark in his Seagull.	Bruce popping a wheel.

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