KEY POINTS:
America's Cup yachtie Dean Barker welcomed in 2008 beside the water rather than on it, as he frolicked with his wife and daughter at Omaha beach.
Skipper Barker and wife Mandy, a former Black Sticks hockey star, hit the sand outside their $2.3 million holiday home in the trendy seaside community, an hour's drive north of Auckland.
The sporty pair bought the property in 2006, and Barker spent New Year's Day playing energetically in the shallows with 2-year-old Mia.
Their second daughter, Olivia, who was born last September, was not with them.
Rumours surfaced last year suggesting Barker had been in talks with rival America's Cup team Oracle.
But the 34-year-old insisted he had signed a letter of intent to lead New Zealand in the next round of sailing.
Barker is the son of retail chain millionaire Ray Barker of Barkers men's clothing, while Mandy, 35, has a maternity clothing company, Mama2b, which she started after the birth of Mia in 2005.
The couple's neighbours in the upmarket holiday hideaway include fashion designer Trelise Cooper, National Party leader John Key, radio and television personality Louise Wallace, former BBQ Factory owners Roger and Lorraine Richwhite, and Navman founder Peter Maire.
