Bruce Kendall MBE is an outdoors man. Although he’s accustomed to meetings indoors – whether with the Howick Local Board, Tamaki Estuary Environmental Forum, for example – this dedicated environmentalist is even more at home out in the field.
A familiar figure when on a board this double Olympic windsurfing medallist recently stepped up to take a seat on a different type of board, focused on inspiring young minds in more ways than one.
“After I assisted with the climbing wall and sailing during my children’s Bucklands Beach Intermediate school camps, I am now thrilled and honoured to be asked to join the Motutapu Outdoor Education board of trustees,” he says. “I look forward to helping to improve what is happening there now and into the future.”
What’s happening there (on Motutapu) is quite a lot, however this busy Bucklands Beach local always has a lot on his plate. In addition to coaching athletes, he is involved with many environmental initiatives, including efforts to stem the tide of erosion around the east Auckland coastline.
Through the Outdoor Education Trust Bruce is combining these two passions, inspiring a love of teamwork and fitness while ensuring young people appreciate the importance of protecting and restoring our natural environment.
“The trust operates its camp on public conservation land,” he explains. “It delivers an important coming-of-age, social learning, confidence building and environmental awareness experience.”
Located at Administration Bay, the camp provides a base for outdoor pastimes underpinned by a strong ecological message while requiring a little mahi too. Visitors learn about invasive species threatening its native wildlife and roll up their sleeves to pitch in on efforts to help return the island to its former, natural glory wherever possible.
No stranger to Motutapu or the trust, Bruce is following a family commitment to the island.
“My father [Tony], who was the trust’s first chair, saved the camp from closing and remained involved until it was operating in strong financial way, and my sister [Barbara – also a well-known Olympic medallist], was a patron for many years,” Bruce confirms.
Although the trust’s camps are especially well suited to school students, corporate and social groups are welcome as well.
More information about the Motutapu Outdoor Education Trust is accessible via www.motutapucamp.org.nz.
