Wild Chix & Wild Rides at the Auckland On Water Boat Show
- isabell8785
- Mar 26
- 5 min read
I’d just returned from holiday and was dealing with some personal issues that arose while away. Coming home, I found myself in the aftermath of other people's decisions, leaving me feeling pretty lost. I was quickly reminded that life moves forward, with or without you. So I used those little boxes we all have inside us and shut it away. Taylor said it best - “I’m so depressed I act like it’s my birthday every day.”.
So I hopped in the car four days later, drove to Auckland, and showed up to work at the Boat Show with Isabell. Suck it up Nelly, you’ve got work to do…
We were representing the NZ Sportfishing Council & Wild Chix. Talking to women, men and the littlest cuties about our “WHY”. Two companies that are super dear to my heart, so I needed to put on the happy face. For the first two days I wore the mask. I smiled and chatted with new faces, made lots of new connections, and then went home after long days to shed a few silent tears.
The casting comp was really fun, and I was very impressed with the NZSFC for how they threw together such a cool initiative to get the engagement of the crowd! Not only were the kids and lads keen to try, but the wives were also there taking their shots with a little gentle encouragement from Isabell and I… Sometimes you just need to be shown something once, the space to get it wrong without the judgement, and you can walk away having tried again and succeeded with a smile! It was really heartwarming seeing so many people go through this over the show.
I quickly realized that even though the boat show is put on for the general public, it is also hub of industry people who are there to network and have a good time. On Friday morning, Wild Chix was invited to the MAST Academy (Marine and Specialized Technology) women’s event. Isabell sat on the panel with three other inspiring women, Sarah from Coastguard NZ, Rachel Olivier, a marine systems engineer apprentice, and Emily Allen, an independent welding specialist.
Talking about women in the male dominated world of boating, boat building, engineering, and sales from an employee perspective was really eye opening. There is a lot of support for our community, and the event really highlighted that women in this industry are still the minority. Our voices are beginning to be heard, yet there is still a long way to go. Listening to the ladies chat about the challenges they have faced certainly made me feel less alone. Having this kind of event is really helping to open those doors for the younger generations to do better, and to shine a light on the fact we won’t go away just because we might be made to feel inferior. We are here to stay.
Nicky, The Boat Princess, was also in attendance at the Boat Show spreading her special brand of sparkle. She interviewed lots of different women and boaties for her podcast and was an absolute delight to talk too. I can’t wait to listen to a few of the podcasts she recorded while she was at the show, especially the one with Isabell! Nicky had Nona with her, the CEO from YESSSS. Again, another incredibly intelligent woman who is making waves in the marine industry with her marketing advisory company, helping get the message out there in a way that is accepted by boaties of all sexes and ages!
While Isabell was chatting with Taryn, the marketing guru from Rayglass Boats, and a few other amazing industry women, they passed by the one of the big ticket boats at the show. The Protector 410 Targa, fitted with twin Mercury V12 Verados. That’s 1200hp. This means this boat is capable of around 60+ knots. That’s 40 foot of pure adrenaline! And as only certain people can, the taunt was thrown out there – can we go for a spin…? Which is how I found myself at the helm of this boat, charging around the Hauraki Gulf at 55 knots.
Now remember – I am building my confidence as this journey of life goes on. I had been upset internally for two days leading up this moment over things out of my control. When I stepped onto the deck of that boat, I had no idea that it would be the turning point for me. I should have known better, as I know that the ocean is 100% the place I feel safest. The place that will forever be Home.
I watched Isabell and Sarah step up to drive her, and I was so stoked for them! Content to just be there sharing the space. When Isabell turned to me and said “your turn” my instant thought was “I can’t drive this million dollar
boat”… She saw it in my eyes, and so did Sarah. With a gentle nudge from behind and the whispered words “you got this” from Taryn and the girl crew at my back, I swallowed the lump in my throat and jumped up to the helm. And oh my, it was the wildest ride of my life. Watching the speed go from 0 to 55 in a matter of moments was an adrenaline rush that left me shaking for an hour after. I couldn’t have stopped smiling – a genuine ear to ear smile – if you paid me too.
One moment you think life is falling apart, the next your surrounded by amazing people behind the helm of a million-dollar machine, feeling more alive than ever. It’s wild how quickly your perspective can shift when you’re where your meant to be, and you practice the art of letting go, even if you’re not sure you can.
After that day, and for the rest of the days since, the tears have stopped. The laughter has become authentic. The people around me are genuine and kind. It was a realization that I can do things that might seem scary. That I won’t fail at it. That stepping out of comfort zones can be exhilarating and empowering. Life is made up of situations and people to test you and break you and push you to your limits. It’s how you react at those crossroads that is the true turning point, and the valuable lesson I learnt that day.
I once read this quote – Being brave isn’t about not being afraid. It’s about being afraid and doing it anyway. I am so grateful that I have found my people. Realizing I am not alone in the struggle to find who I am and where I fit in this world. There is a supportive, beautiful community out there to back me, and Wild Chix is creating one all our own to support women through uncomfortable things too. So here’s to us ladies – all of us who face hard days, cry in private, and show up anyway.
I know life will offer more painful and terrifying moments ahead, and that healing is certainly not linear. There will still be bad days, yet I am optimistic I will be able to lean into the challenges and allow them to help me grow rather than shy away. Everything you want is on the other side of fear. Even if it takes a gentle nudge from the women who have your back to jump up, go full throttle, and of course accompanied by an epic soundtrack!
“Cos I’m a real tough kid, I can handle my shit, they said babe you gotta fake it till you make it, so I did!” – T Swift
It’s funny, sometimes you feel as if you’ve lost something important. And then you realise, you’re just making space in your life for better things to come your way. See you next year team!
S x
