A group of spectators on a makeshift barbecue table fitted with floats and an outboard motor at the SailGP event on January 19, 2025 on Auckland's Waitematā Harbour. Video / Ally Ford
A group floating on a picnic table powered by an outboard motor secured themselves a boozy front-row seat for the Sail Grand Prix on Auckland’s harbour over the weekend.
A policeman on a jetski motored up to the seven young men, who were all seen wearing lifejackets, took a photograph, then left.
A police spokeswoman said: “Staff interacted with this group as they were heading back to Bayswater. Safety checks were completed and they were all wearing [lifejackets].”
The group were sitting on their vessel, facing one another, with their legs dangling in the water. Their makeshift craft featured steel drums, an umbrella, a flag, a rubbish bin, a chilly bin and an anchor, powered by an outboard motor attached to a table.
A policeman on a jetski motored up to the seven young men, who were all seen wearing lifejackets, took a photograph, then left. Photo / Ally Ford
The Herald has approached the harbourmaster for comment.
Ally Ford was on the harbour with her husband and his friend watching the SailGP when they spied the boys slowly motoring from Bayswater Marina.
She told the Herald they were confused when they first saw the boys and their craft.
“We had binoculars on our boat to see what was going on for the race. But we turned around and saw seven guys just floating half in the water, half out, drinking beers.
“As they got closer, they just moored up right behind us.
“We didn’t know what to think of it, to be fair.
“We went for the races and came home with a story.”
Ford said their vessel appeared quite sturdy. The boys were standing up on the table so they could see the action.
She said she missed the races on Saturday, the day with the best weather, but had they attended then instead of Sunday, they would have missed the surprise sailing.
“It was very, very choppy. I’m impressed that they stayed buoyant with the chop,” Ford said.
Ally Ford was on the harbour with her husband and his friend watching the SailGP when they spied the boys slowly motoring from Bayswater Marina. Photo / Ally Ford
“We were overall very impressed with the thought process and execution. It took them quite a long time to get back [to shore] though.”
Ford told the group she intended to recount their escapades to the Herald, to which they reacted with excitement, she said.
She hoped the group would go public about their creation, saying she wanted someone to take credit for their “genius”.
Ford said the day on the harbour was “good, it was nice – a bit gutting about New Zealand, but Aussie deserved it, to be fair”.
