Explore NZ Skipper competing in Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Selection Series

Talented sailor, and Explore NZ Skipper , Shaun Mason is currently in San Francisco competing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup selection series with his team Full Metal Jacket Racing.

The selection series runs until February 24th from which the top teams will be picked to race in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in September. Six independent teams are participating including teams from Australia, Austria, Denmark, Germany and South Africa and competition is fierce.

The Full Metal Jacket Racing team is made up of a group of talented young New Zealand sailors who have sailed together for two seasons. Competing on the international sailing scene the team has already had great success including 2^nd at the World Tour Regatta Match Race in France 2012, and the top spot in several 2012 races including New Zealand Keelboat Nationals (NZ), Korea Match Cup Q (Korea), Sail Of White Nights (Estonia), Parnu Sailing Week (Finland).

As well as sailing on the match racing circuit with FMJ, Shaun competes in offshore racing such as the Rolex Sydney to Hobart. He also manages and sails for the Living Doll campaign out of Melbourne, Australia and worked in stopovers for Team Sanya in the last Volvo Ocean Race.

Shaun took some time out of his busy schedule in San Francisco to answer some questions about his racing career.

How did you get involved in racing yachts?

I started sailing with my father when I was about 7 on a mirror dinghy in England. I used to just sit there and swap sides when I was told. From there I just started doing more and more racing in dinghies and eventually progressed on.

What are your top achievements to date?

• Sydney to Hobart 2nd 2011
• 2nd Match Race France 2012, World Tour Regatta
• Our team (FMJ) being selected for 2013 Extreme Sailing Series
• Our team being selected for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Selection Series

How do you feel about racing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Selection Series?

Excited! It’s a whole new style of sailing that is faster, physically harder and more fun. The boats we are sailing are the AC45’s and you struggle to wipe the grin of your face even hours after getting off the water.

How does working for Explore NZ compliment or challenge your racing activities?

Apart from the obvious links with sailing and running boats, Explore NZ has helped me hugely with my sailing career by being a great platform for learning and refining the way you interact with and meet new people in a professional and friendly manner. This helps a lot in the yachting world to find sponsorship and network with owners and other professional yachties.

What is your ultimate career goal?

The ultimate goal, which I share with the majority of sailors, is to compete in and win the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup!

For more info about Shaun and his team see Full Metal Jacket Racing’s website  http://www.fmjracing.com/

Spring cleaning!

We’ve decided to tidy up our blogs. We’ll have shorter menu options under the main blog for Explore NZ, grouped under Bay of Islands and Auckland. Watch this space!

A trip on Dolphin Explorer with some staff from the President Hotel

On a nice Wednesday afternoon 21 November 2012 we got a great opportunity to participate in the Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari hosted by Explore NZ.

It was gearing up to be a warm, and sunny day in Auckland although the weather turned cloudy and windy we continued further into the Hauraki Gulf. Don’t let the cloudy weather fool you, sunscreen is a definite must!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…

…when we first arrived at the Explore NZ booth in the Viaduct Harbour, we were greeted warmly by the staff there and received our boarding passes right away. One of the tour guides then picked us and the other passengers and took us to the boat waiting there.

As we were leaving the harbour we first were given the safety instructions by the captain and team to make sure nobody would get overzealous and decide to change the Dolphin Safari to a Swim with the Dolphins tour .

Throughout the whole trip, the crew was very helpful, funny, professional as well as knowledgeable about the animals. You could really see they definitely enjoy their job and are quite passionate about preserving the sea life. They shared lots of interesting stories with us and were just as excited as we were when we saw the first dolphins (and later on the whales).

The boat we were on was perfectly designed for the occasion so that all of us were able to have a great view of the animals swimming and playing below us.

Due to the rough sea that day, some of us also got first hand experience at getting quite wet, much to the enjoyment of those who didn’t. For such cases (and in general) the boat is well equipped with a snack bar serving hot , and cold meals and beverages. There are restrooms and free towels for those poor guys always standing in the wrong place at the wrong time.

All in all it was an amazing and fun experience to see the dolphins and whales in their natural environment and we can definitely recommend this tour to Kiwis and tourists alike, because, let’s face it- everybody loves dolphins and with a tour this well organised and a crew this funny and competent you can’t go wrong.

Thank you again, Explore NZ, we had a really great day with you guys.

Alexandra & Mara
http://www.presidenthotel.co.nz/

Dolphins, Boats & Pizza – Bay of Islands, Explore NZ style

Sun beaming, with smiles to match, the clouds cleared as we arrived in the Bay of Islands. Sunglasses on in eager anticipation, we were ready to embark on our Northland adventure.

After checking in to our hotel we headed straight to Frank’s to try the infamous, ‘Roast Pizza.’ Being from California I was a bit ‘iffy’ on the idea of anything other than the traditional pepperoni and cheese. At the end of the day though nothing beats pizza and a cold beer to start off a great trip.

Following a fun night at Pipi Patch backpackers, we headed to the Explore NZ office to check in for our Discover the Bay ‘Hole in the Rock’ Cruise. The impressive yellow and black catamaran stood out on the water like a needle in a hay stack.

Our skipper started sharing a funny and informative commentary as we made our way out in search of marine mammals and wildlife. We immediately found pods of bottlenose dolphins enthusiastically playing around the boat, jumping into the air, as if they were performing a show exclusively for us. Everyone onboard was ecstatic, snapping photos and waving. We could almost feel they were happy to host us and take part in their day.

We cruised around spotting more dolphins while travelling to the amazing ‘Hole in the Rock.’ The skipper kept us entertained with the rich history and culture of the 144 stunning islands that make up the Bay of Islands.

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The ‘Hole in the Rock’ was better than any picture I’ve seen. I took some photos with my iPhone and couldn’t wait to tag my friends in them. Massively impressive, our vessel could even fit through it, certainly an experience in itself. I couldn’t get enough of the view, along with the clear blue water surrounding us.

The following day we geared up for our next trip on Dune Rider, a trip up to the most Northern point of New Zealand, Cape Reinga lighthouse. We drove along 90 Mile Beach for a portion of the trip, giving us the opportunity to see a baby seal and wild horses.

Along the way we had some fun stops. One of those included giant sand dunes; climbing up them then boogie boarding down. Well worth the effort! We stopped to check out an ancient buried kauri tree at Gumdigger’s Park. Some action, some history, some beautiful scenery, what more could you need. On the way home we stopped off at Maunganui fish shop, a great ending to an action packed day.

After this amazing trip, I can now say The Bay of Islands is one of my top favourite destinations in New Zealand. Through Explore NZ you can see it all; be sure to stop by the office at the corner of Marsden and Williams Road. Don’t worry, it’s right near Frank’s if you want to sample the delicious roast pizza as well. If you’re feeling sociable call in to the Pipi Patch too…

Jessica Smith, Auckland Sales Executive

Exploring Auckland’s Harbour and Heritage

Despite the gathering rain clouds Auckland tourism agents enjoyed an exhilarating sail on America’s Cup yacht NZL41 and a fascinating tour through the Maritime Museum.

On Wednesday June 20th, agents from Nomads Auckland, IEP, Accor Pacific, Ponsonby Backpackers and Skycity Grand left the office and came out to play. Firstly Christie from New Zealand Voyager Maritime Museum played tour guide through the museum.

Exhibitions including Blue Water Black Magic – A tribute to Sir Peter Blake, Kermadec – nine artists explore the South Pacific, Landfalls and Kiwis and the Coast.

After this the agents experienced Explore NZ America’s Cup Sailing Experience.

The majority exerted energy on the grinders and took the helm while some just sat back and watched everyone else do the work!

And the rain managed to hold off until we made it back inside the viaduct!

Male Orca seen from NZL41 just off North Head…

Just got the “heads-up” from skipper Pablo Rust that a solo male Orca was spotted 20 metres in front of the yacht as they were out on the 1pm Sailing Experience today, 11 June.

Archive photo – Whale & Dolphin Safari. Female orca.

To see Orca this close to downtown Auckland isn’t as rare as it seems as they come up the harbour about 3-4 times a year chasing their favourite delicacy – stingrays.

Orca have been seen recently on the Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari, but it is a rare treat to see them from an ex-America’s Cup yacht.

All-Kiwi final at ALPARI World Match Racing champs in Germany

Michael Edmonds, a skipper with Explore NZ in Auckland, will have plenty of support from his colleagues in New Zealand as he aims to help Team KiwiMatch win the latest round at Lake Constance, Langenargen, Germany.

PHOTO: Andrew Carter/WMRT

In a thrilling semi-final Team KiwiMatch fought back from the verge of elimination to a final flight sudden death victory.

PHOTO: Andrew Carter/WMRT

For the full story and to learn more about the World Match Racing Champs visit the web site>>

For more information on Team KiwiMatch visit their web site>>