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Carmen talks to former NZ windsurfing representative Tracey Harrap who currently lives the Maui lifestyle. Tracey is still fanatical about windsurfing and is a wave sailing standout.
Where did you grow up in NZ
Tracey: Napier, Hawkes Bay.
Is windsurfing something in your family or did you get into it on your own?
Tracey: Funny that both my parents had no experience with water sports but somehow they got my brother involved with the Optimist yachts at a young age and I was to follow. I did really well and won a lot of competitions... the boys didn't like that and I was the only girl. My heart was pushing me into horses as I have always loved em. Then my brother years later gave me a go on a friend's windsurfer and it was bye bye horses. So it was all my brother who is still heavily into racing... with Americas Cup, Olympics, Round the World and everything else in between.
Where did you do most of you sailing in NZ?
Tracey: I did most of my sailing in Hawkes Bay, I would go out and sail around the race course every Saturday from the Napier Yacht club. I would always win my little race as I was the only one sailing a long board! Not to Practical! I would sail just about every night after school. I once got picked up way offshsore by some fishermen as I went down wind to far and couldn't get back... Chile was the next piece of land. I didn't tell Mum for years, a bit scary that was! And then when I could, my parents would drive me up to Auckland for most of the racing. Sometimes I would sail with the boys on short boards but my focus at that time was the Olympic Board... bugger wish I had gone to Maui sooner.
You used to represent NZ at longboard sailing, when was this, where did you compete and why did you move on from this event? Ever thought of getting into the new RSX (new Olympic class) racing?
Tracey: First, was Scotland for the youths, then Portugal, the Worlds in Japan, Canada, South Africa and some in between. It was all good. After one Olympic trial, which Barbara won, I didn't know what to do but I still loved the sport. Bruce Kendall suggested I go to Maui and I did and like I said, I wish I had done it sooner. I got very involved in the slalom racing, which was wicked and never once did I get bored with this type of racing!
Yes, I thought about racing Olympic boards again but its just way to serious and I really like the free sailing of waves with no heavy yachting rules and way more fun. But anyone thinking about racing in NZ, do it, you never know where it might lead you!
How long have you been kitesurfing for and why did you decide to take it up?
Tracey: Oh, a couple of years but not silly crazy about it! It makes a nice change from sailing when its flat with no waves - gets you out there and keeps you on your toes. It's way easy to pack with your camping gear for some little adventure somewhere. Went to Lanai, a close Island, where it's super shallow and flat with insane coral to be seen, lots of turtles, great wind and sun, great friends, and all with out lugging masts and booms around - that is a plus right there!
You also surf, do you think this helps with wavesailing?
Tracey: Oh, for sure. It helps you read the waves on where to be or not and how waves act, which can save your equipment most of the time. My first time surfing was in South Africa and one of the first things a guy told me was never go for the first set, cos everybody else is rushing for it and then they all get hit in the inside when trying to come back out! For some reason that stuck and I have seen many a person scramble for that first or even second wave and there is always more than one person you have to share it with... does share come into wavesailing????! I like to be kinda mellow and it seems to work that I end up with waves to myself and that's the ticket to heaven right there I reckon! But sure if its only a three set wave then get in there and scramble too, ha ha ha.
What is your favourite windsurfing/kite surfing spot in NZ and outside of NZ?
Tracey: Oh all over, um believe it or not I have never sailed in the Naki - shame on me but I guess that's the spot in Kiwi land as far as I have been told. I liked Australia, South Africa and of course Maui. I guess it depends on what you are looking for.
Having seen you carving up the waves in Maui, do you have any intentions of competing in wave sailing comps?
Tracey: Oh, I should but I think I'm over the competition thing - I get nervous and end up sailing like a lemon.
Do you ever dabble in the freestyle arena?
Tracey: No, I should, but if its that light I go kiting.
I know that you pop forwards - what tip would you give other girls wanting to go for forwards but not too sure where to start?
Tracey: Just go for it! No! That's how you freak out and hurt yourself - I tried that. But this works... there was an article along time ago, I can't remember who by but by sailing on flat water not too fast or slow, take both feet out of the straps and unhook. Reach far back with your hand and jump around your mast still hanging on to the boom and tuck your legs under your bum. This gives you the feeling - keep doing that till you're comfortable and you are getting right around and not landing on your gear or letting go. If your not doing it then your not reaching back enough... once you got that, its the same thing but don't take your feet out, then find a little ramp and do it all faster. By doing this you should be able to pop one in about 1-2 hours. Really.
I have seen you in some sizey waves on Maui, do you ever get freaked by the large waves?
Tracey: You have? I get more freaked out on the beach watching... seem to not think about it once on the water but keep to my rules about not taking the first wave and pay attention.
What has been your worst drilling?
Tracey: Ummm, Ho'okipa when I said I would go for one more run when I should have headed to the beach. It was very light but I went for one more bottom turn and then just before I hit the lip my boom broke in my hand and I went down. I broke my mast, got pushed onto the rocks, taken off again, dragged down to Lanes and then up to Lanes beach, thrown onto the reef, which trashed all that was left of my sail. Yip, that was a good one, only thing that was OK was my board... my pride was taken!
What do you look for in a wave board?
Tracey: Not too long, not too wide, narrow in the tail so I can get bottom turning foot right in the middle and over to help turn. I like to off set footstrap for that not to wide a stance not too close, enough volume to pop through the white water if need be but not to much that you are riding a boat. I like 'em smaller and snappy. I know what I like and don't like that's for sure.
Have you ever had any major injuries?
Tracey: Only broke my foot and almost my collar bone when a harness line broke during slalom training.
Do you have a favourite Pro Women windsurfer?
Tracey: Well, of course that's gotta be Barbara, she rocks from racing to wave sailing and she keeps on goin' and goin'.
Do you see yourself returning to NZ in the near future?
Tracey: Oh for sure!
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