Auckland's Hauraki Gulf
Sailing veteran Tony Rae could claim to know the Hauraki Gulf like the back of his hand. But, even though the 47-year-old has been sailing the waters of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf since he was a boy, he says there are still sheltered bays and hidden coves that surprise him.
When he's not racing, the Emirates Team New Zealand trimmer, his wife Lynda and their family like to head off into the Hauraki Gulf.
"There are always new places to discover, I still find bays I never knew existed. You could go around the gulf for two months and not see it all. It’s never-ending," he says.
Recreational sailing
For recreational sailors, Rae reckons the Hauraki Gulf is pretty hard to beat, anywhere in the world.
"It doesn’t matter if you are in a big power boat or a little yacht, there are so many places to visit, so close to the city. And the beauty of it is there will be hardly anyone around you, it’s such a huge place," he says.
"Motuihe is a classic example - on one side of the island, you can see the city, but walk 50 metres to the other side, and it’s just farmland and the sea."
100 islands to race around
The gulf, with its 100 islands, is more than just a source of fantastic cruising adventures. Rae is just one of many who have raced the myriad courses that criss-cross the waters, using islands, rocks and lighthouses as points to sail around.
"The racing is cool because of the islands - it’s not just out around the markers and back," he says.
The geography of Auckland, with is narrow isthmus, makes the waters of the Hauraki Gulf an interesting place to sail. The steady sea breezes compete with southwesterly winds, and in mid-afternoon, there’s the heat off the land to contend with.
"Because of that, it makes it an unpredictable place to sail, and that’s part of the fun," says Rae. "The changes happen so quickly. A forecast of 5 - 25 knots is not unusual."
Islands of the gulf
The Hauraki Gulf is protected from the Pacific Ocean by the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island to the east. Great Barrier and Waiheke are the largest islands, with Waiheke the most populated (roughly 1,000 permanent residents).
Waiheke is a 30-minute ferry ride from the city, a trip many business commuters make daily. The island is famous for its white-sand beaches, vineyards and olive groves, and its thriving art scene.
Rangitoto Island dominates Auckland’s seascape. One of Auckland’s most iconic symbols, it is the largest and youngest of the city’s volcanic peaks, erupting from the sea 600 years ago. Stepping on to Rangitoto, with its red rocks and unusual hybrid plants, is like walking on another planet.
Louis Vuitton Pacific Series
A veteran of six America’s Cup campaigns - four New Zealand challenges and two defences since 1987 - plus three Whitbread round the world races, numerous keelboat regattas and the international match-racing circuit, Tony Rae will be racing in Auckland's waters again this summer.
Rae is a member of the Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) crew taking part in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series - a friendly yachting regatta that will bring many of the world's top yachtsmen back to Auckland.
The new series will reunite old adversaries from previous America's Cup challenges, while creating an opportunity for new teams to pit themselves against their more experienced rivals.
Emirates Team New Zealand is based in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.
"It’s so important to have a venue you can sail consistently 4-5 days a week," says ETNZ chief operating officer Kevin Shoebridge. "Without a good venue to sail it’s a big setback, and the Gulf has been perfect for us.
"We’ve always considered it a big strength to sail here. It’s home, and it’s an established America’s Cup area, so it was set up already. We know where the best parts of the Gulf are - a lot of us grew up out there. And we know the good testing days, so we’re not wasting time figuring out whether to head out there or not.
"It’s been a big part of our success so far."
More information:
Top teams line up for Pacific sailing series
These topics may also be of interest to you
|
|
|
www.newzealand.com Pages
|
|
|
Other Sites
|
|
|
|
