Windsurfing New Zealand

Gareth Wood surfs the Internet in his job, and the waves on the Otago Harbour for recreation. He is a slalom windsurfer. Wood (27), a computer specialist at the University of Otago, enjoys the adrenaline kick he gets from bouncing along the whitecaps on the harbour. He is good at his sport and added the Australian title to the pair of New Zealand slalom windsurfing gold medals he has won in the past two years. Full story: http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/other-sport/32367/windsurfing-success-nz-cham...

A chance encounter with a pod of orca whales provided a special thrill for Raglan kite surfer Matt Taggart last weekend. http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757556a11.html

Random House Sports Giveaway! NZLive.com has one Random House Sports Prize Pack to give away to one lucky reader! Pack Includes:

• Lucky Legs: What I’ve Learned about Winning and Losing by Steve Gurney
• Wind Driven: The Barbara Kendall Story by Wendy Kinney-Kendall
• The Great Kiwi Sports Quiz Book by Hamish McDouall

Got to NZLive.com

The ISAF Windsurfing Committee decided this morning by a vote of 7 votes to 2 to support the selection of the RS:X as the equipment for the 2012 Olympic Regatta
Although this is a positive step forward, the final decision will be made by the ISAF Council at the end of this week. The vote against Formula is exactly the same as the vote made by the windsurfing committee at the 2000 ISAF Conference in Edinburgh. The windsurfing committee also decided that prize money in cash or in kind is permitted but may not be a requirement as per the ISAF contract in its Olympic contract.

An overdue windsurfer became stranded in the cold waters of Lake Rotorua after running out of energy - sparking a rescue operation involving a helicopter and Coastguard. The Rotorua man, who went windsurfing on the lake late yesterday morning, was reported missing by his family when he failed to return home on time.

Detective Sergeant John Wilson told The Daily Post the man was experienced but had not been windsurfing for a few years.

'Great achievements involve big risks, and equally big sacrifices,but also,the realistic belief that one can achieve their goals...Passion keeps you on your journey,and works on an intangible level to draw those things towards you.'
Barbara Kendall

Wind Driven - The Barbara Kendall Story

Barbara Kendall is the best known and most successful windsurfer in New Zealand history having competed in her fifth Olympics this year.

It’s incredible that she’s still competing, at top international level, when most of her competitors are in their 20s. It’s a harsh environment, and a gruelling physical challenge. Her years of experience in racing, tactics, knowledge about wind and tide conditions,equipment and board handling skills play a big part in her success.But the most important factor of all is her desire to win.

Barbara and her sister Wendy were interviewed on Radion NZ Nine to Noon today. This is a prelude of a book written by Wendy about Barbara to be launched tomorrow. RadioNZ interview here http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20081106-1129-Barbara_and_Wendy_Ken... or if that doesn't work try here http://www.windsurfingnz.org/downloads/ntn-20081106-1129-Barbara_and_Wen...

At this weeks ISAF meeting amongst the agenda items is a proposal to switch windsurfing boards for the 2012 London Olympic Games from the existing Neil Pryde RS:X to a new Starboard built Formula board. While a lighter planing board would be welcomed by many athletes, it seems there are a lot of factors to consider.