Tanner takes to windsurfing despite advancing years

Press, 18 March 1988, Page 26

Tanner takes to windsurfing despite advancing years

Long before most of his boardsailing rivals in the national Rheineck series were even born, John Tanner was wearing the All Black jersey and playing test rugby for New Zealand. Most people consider boardsailing a young person’s sport, but Tanner, aged 59, can show his youthful counterparts a thing or two out on the water — and probably on the rugby field too. •sA keen funboard sailor. Tanner first attempted the sport at Club Med,

Noumea, two years ago. He said he got “tired of watching the girls” and wanted something else to do with his time. “Although I still couldn’t sail by the time I came home, I decided the only way I would learn was by buying all the gear — so I did — board, sail, wetsuit, the lot. I took it all down to the beach and tried to put it together — I felt a bit of a fool but I got there in the end,” said the former All Black centre of the early 50s.

Two years on Tanner is competing in funboard racing, including the national series, and sails at least once or twice a week, year round. He has also bought a short board which he is presently learning to master. “Boardsailing is a fascinating sport. It’s something you feel yourself improving at, and your ability is so dependent on weather conditions that it’s never boring. “It’s the best thing I’ve done since taking up

golf,” said the Auckland dentist. Tanner said he enjoys competing in race events as it is a good indication of how he compares with other boardsailors. “You can think you’re quite good until you’re in a race, and then it’s a different story," he says. Although he only completed one race in round four of the national series at Taupo. Tanner is keen to prove his worth at the Milford Regatta this week-end.

A recent survey conducted by New Zealand Windsurfing News shows that just three per cent of boardsailors are aged over 45, but the difference in years between him and most of his fellow boardsailors doesn’t worry Tanner.! “I find that if you can do what they do out on the water they accept you as one of them,” he says. “Everyone is always really friendly and they treat me as if I was one of the young guys.”