36 Breeze Magazine
Bean Rock Lighthouse shares RNZYS birthday Words and Photos by Ivor Wilkins Bean Rock Lighthouse, which stands as an attractive sentinel at the entrance to the Waitemata harbour, twins with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Its commanding position between North Head and St Heliers makes it a familiar sight to sailors cruising down towards Waiheke Island,
or out into the Hauraki Gulf. More importantly, it is a night-time beacon, guiding incoming vessels away from danger. It also forms a backdrop to multiple regattas and would have become a familiar sight to millions of international viewers during the 2021 America’s Cup as futuristic AC75s flew past the graceful Victorian-era structure. It also forms the centrepiece of the
A lifetime of high action sailing in M-Class and 18ft skiffs
RNZYS’s 150th anniversary event, the Barfoot & Thompson Bridge to Bean Race, which is open to all dinghy classes and foiling vessels. The course is from the Harbour Bridge to Bean Rock and the event has captured the imagination of a wide range of yacht clubs and classes. It is scheduled for 19 December. According to New Zealand Maritime Museum Director Vincent Lipanovich, Bean
BOB GORDON
AREINZ
027 475 9025 ı b.gordon@barfoot.co.nz ı www.barfoot.co.nz Bob Gordon has been a fixture in the Auckland sailing scene for many decades. He raced M-Class, represented New Zealand in 18ft skiffs and has been an RNZYS Member for 50 years.
