Windsurf celebration a hit with all

by Zoe Hawkins

Thursday 4th December brought together some of New Zealand’s very best sailors to promote windsurfing as a sport and to officially launch the six new Techno boards destined for Tauranga. They are courtesy of the Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy and funded by TECT. At $5800 apiece fully kitted out, the boards aren't cheap but spokesman Stuart Pedersen is adamant they'll be a great investment for the sport's future. "Getting these boards is huge - they'll provide a pathway from learning to windsurf through to getting into serious racing without having to commit to buying your own gear," Pedersen said.

The wind got up just in time for the Legends race which saw Scott Fenton, Barbara Kendall, Bruce Kendall, Tom Ashley race the Techno boards named after them, joined by Sven Pederson and Georgia Schofield (current Techno sailors) respectfully on Aaron McIntosh and Santha Patel’s boards, beach start and sail along Takapuna Beach and back.

The evening finished with a beach start race with all the young techno and RS: X sailors. It was a good chance to catch up with old friends, make new connections and welcome newcomers to windsurfing. Among those who came to support were Santha’s parents. They were excited to see the new faces of board sailing and had lots of stories to share. The Takapuna Boating Club is looking to start a Techno fleet in the New Year.

“It was a great day for windsurfing,” said Barbara Kendall. Yachting New Zealand are supporting and driving windsurfing in New Zealand with an aim to get more kids on to boards and get fleets sailing all around the country. Takapuna Boating Club supported the event with facilities and aim to get junior windsurfing program up and running at the club.

Windsufing in New Zealand