New Zealand Olympic windsurfing medalist Barbara Kendall has completed a second sailing voyage to Fiji, nearly 50 years after her first trip as a child. The first journey, in 1977, was aboard a Townsend 32 sailboat built by her father, with her siblings Bruce and sister. This time, Kendall sailed on a modern catamaran, reflecting the changes in both her life and maritime technology.
Kendall, who won gold in windsurfing at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and later served on the International Olympic Committee, described the experience as a nostalgic return. The 2026 voyage retraced the route her family took when she was 10 years old, highlighting the contrast between the rugged, hand-built vessel of her youth and the comfortable, high-tech craft of today.
The trip also served as a celebration of her career and connection to the Pacific. Kendall has been a prominent figure in New Zealand sports and environmental advocacy, often speaking about the importance of ocean conservation. The journey to Fiji, a country she first visited as a child, underscores her lifelong bond with the sea.
