Sam loves to sail on her yacht with her family. She wishes her parents, her father in particular, would give her more responsibility on the yacht so she can learn more
on the water. When he tells her of plans to enter a race across the Hauraki Gulf to Kawau, she is thrilled. What makes it even more exciting is the fact they will be racing in the dark.
Mum is dubious about the trip across the gulf with her husband and three children, but the weather looks perfect, the boat is in good shape and Dad is keen to enter. Sam can’t wait to experience all that her grandfather has shared with her about night sailing, even while knowing she will be spending it with her annoying younger siblings.
Plans are made, times set, and bags packed. They are ready to race.
But things begin to go wrong before they even reach the dock. Tensions are high, and Sam feels unappreciated as she does everything she can to help. A relied-on crew member is late and Dad only just makes it himself. But finally they are slicing through the waves towards the start line, trying to hit it at the perfect time – just before the gun. And they’re off!
They are surrounded by boats big and small, with as many different sailors on each. There are not many families like theirs – working together as a team. Mostly it is men skippering, often with bikini clad women aboard, or with no women at all.
Darkness falls and so does all their confidence. The weather has changed and Mum’s fears have become real. Not only is visibility low, the waves are getting larger and then disaster strikes. Mum and Sam are the only ones to skipper the boat.
Suddenly more responsibility on board for Sam becomes far more than she’s ever had – even at times having the responsibility for the entire boat and her family fall on her young shoulders. Tired beyond belief, cold and wet, Sam must keep going. First to land, then even further. Will she ever want to sail again?
First published in 1982, this NZ Classic novel is now reprinted with a new cover for its 40 Year Anniversary. I have enjoyed many of Tessa Duder’s novel’s over the years, but had never read Night Race to Kawau.
What a gripping read! A strong knowledge of the sea and sailing flows across the page and throughout the riveting action the characters are thrown in to.
I’m not a fan of boats (due to a tendency for motion sickness), but I could almost feel the light sea spray on the air and the excitement of the race start, to the slap of a freezing wave in the dark as the characters try to keep control of the boat with no-one else to help.
Worry for loved ones heightened the tension and raised the stakes as tempers frayed, energy drained and strength was only just enough to survive the ever increasing raging waves beneath them.
I can now appreciate why Night Race to Kawau is a treasured New Zealand Children’s Classic and Winner of the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-Loved Book. Wish I’d read it years ago!
Author – Tessa Duder
Age – 10+
(1982, 2007, 2022, Penguin NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Auckland, Hauraki Gulf, Action, Historical, Sea, Ocean, Boat, Sailing, Race, Competition, Night, Darkness, Accident, Responsibility, Family, Yacht Racing, No Technology, Classic, Multi Award Winning Author, NZ Author, OBE, CNZM, Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist, Adventure, Conflict, Love)