Meet the Crew!

Kris

Kris is a Kiwi raised in Oz. He still barracks for the black team. Kris has always been around boats but mostly runabouts and tinnies. He got his first boat at 13 with his own money earned from a weekend supermarket job, and got his boat licence at 16. He enjoys moving his body (actually he finds it hard to sit still) and does anything with a bit adventure, usually involving riding a board of some description - pretty much any excuse to stay active. He is the very best teacher in our family having shown each of the kids to surf and now working through showing each of us to kite surf, with some of the kids now showing him up! 

Bella…14

Bella loves surfing and now is right into kite surfing, throwing back rolls, front rolls and pushing herself to learn new tricks. She enjoys reading and absolutely loves sailing life. She has definitely earned her stripes in the cockpit and has a special role bringing the ukulele tunes. She also passes time by crafting beautiful shell jewellery, crochet and sewing projects. And lets not forget her passion for swimming with turtles, she is a natural diver (unlike me with a floaty bum)! and a natural leader of her younger siblings.

Archie…10

Archie, more fondly known as Chong, is the early riser who loves the outdoors and the water (I’m pretty sure water was his first word). He enjoys things that move, especially if they’re fast - jet skis, motorbikes, fast cars - he has a need for speed and now he’s surfing and kite surfing he is channelling that need by blowing us away with his natural coordination and athletic ability. He can also play the clown when he wants to and make us all laugh or you may find him quietly enjoying his own company, keeping himself amused with his own thoughtfulness. 

Shona

I’m a farm girl from New Zealand and moved with my family to Australia in my late teens when I met Kris. I didn’t live near the ocean but did spend a couple of summers on my grandfather’s yacht as a child. Kris has enough energy for the two of us so I would prefer to be reading a book, playing in the rock pools with the kids, walking on the beach or in the bush, or cooking up something delicious to feed the fam. Since sailing we have found the freedom and time to try many new things and while in Fiji I learned to surf and I am almost kite surfing too… watch this space!

Finn…12

Finn is our big teddy bear who hugs without reserve, he loves to cook and almost anything to do with food. He also enjoys surfing and kitesurfing and is trying new tricks all the time. His is our resident inventor and is often building a boat or creating digital music. He has claimed his position as the boats number one fisherman - persistence is key, and although we’ve been through a few lures he’s certainly been rewarded for his efforts.

Pippi…9

Pippi is a sponge and is constantly learning from the others everyday and is following them closely with her surfing ability and keenness to try kite surfing. She enjoys entertaining all of us with her extravert personality and is continually making us laugh and smile with her infectious joy. Singing, dancing, changing outfits regularly are high up on her list. She is fiercely independent and wants to try any and all of the jobs around the boat to prove she’s ready to help like her older siblings.