Mahurangi Matters, 4 May, 2016, Winter Feature

winterfeature24 Mahurangimatters May 4, 2016

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Despite the lack of snow in Warkworth, Mahurangi College student Joseph Farnsworth managed three podium finishes in skiing competitions last year.Now aged 16, Joseph has been out on the snow since he was four, taking lessons from his father Adrian who is an ex-Olympic ski coach.Joseph’s competitive skiing life began at Kings Prep School, where he joined the B team in Year 7, which came third in the intermediate schools competition that year.During his two years at Kings, Joseph trained with the team once a week at Snow Planet. He later moved to Auckland Grammar and competed in their B team.Joseph now lives with his mother in Warkworth and attends Mahurangi College where there is no ski team, but he continues to train weekly with the Northern Snow Circus Club, where his Dad is a coach.This winter, Joseph will train at Mount Ruapehu every weekend, as well as taking part in week-long ski trips to places such as Mount Hutt during school holidays.In 2014, he entered five races in

Mahurangi skier eyes national titles

the nationals at Coronet Peak but crashed in three of them.“I lost a lot of confidence, but Dad always kept me driven,” he says.Last year proved a far more successful season for Joseph, who won the North Island Champs and came second in two national races in the U18 age category.In one national race, he crossed the line first but was disqualified due to technicalities.This winter he is looking to hit the slopes again in the U18 North Island Champs, as well as competing in the Tech Series open age races.

The rush from going really fast is what Joseph loves about skiing.“You’re always trying to beat your previous time,” he says.Adrian says that Joseph needs to improve his fitness level moving forward to the open grade but is competing well considering he doesn’t travel overseas during the off-season.“It’s not a sport dominated by youth either,” Adrian says. “Most skiers peak during their late twenties.”Adrian says that as Joseph progresses he may need to look at going overseas.

Champagne and chocolate are just two of the delights being promised by The Vintry wine bar in Matakana for its Mother’s Day International Bubbles Tasting & High Tea on Sunday May 8.Manager Justin Fokkema says a tempting array of pastries, scones and “something chocolatey” will be served alongside several different styles of sparkling wine, including local offerings, Spanish Cava, Italian Prosecco and Grande Marque Champagne from Laurent Perrier.The tasting will be led by Jessie Love, area manager for Auckland wine distributor Red + White Cellar, who recently moved to Matakana.The event starts at 3.30pm and tickets cost $45 from The Vintry on 423 0383.Meanwhile, another High Tea for mums is being served, this time in Warkworth on Friday May 6.Warkworth Primary School’s Mother’s Day High Tea will take place in the new junior hall from 3pm, with treats including home made cakes and club sandwiches for the adults and fairy bread and fruit kebabs for the kids. Tickets costs $10 for over-12s and $5 for 2-12s from the school office, phone 425 8300.

Get wintry at The Vintry

A time-lapse sequence shows Joseph Farnsworth as he prepares to face fierce competition as a 16 year old in the open grade.

winterfeature 25MahurangimattersMay 4, 2016

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Surf lifesavers may have left the beaches for the season, but spare a thought for the local marine rescue service that remains on call all year round, regardless of how bad the weather gets.Kawau Coastguard might not get as many calls to launch from its Sandspit base in winter as during the peak summer boating months, but chances are that when they do, the weather will be much colder, the seas rougher and conditions generally more testing.Vice president Luke McCarthy says the volunteer crews just get on with it, as they are on call, all year, all the time.“The whole thing about us is that we’re always there,” he says. “In the winter, the only thing that changes is the amount of call outs. You still never know what you’re going to get on any given day. All our training continues, we all go on weekly training out on the boat and we do

monthly unit training.”The risks for anyone putting to sea can also be higher in winter, which is why everyone should be properly equipped and ready when they go out in the cooler months.“Be prepared: take a VHF radio, take flares, a warm jacket, two forms of communication, lifejackets, check the marine weather and tell someone where you’re going.”Kawau Coastguard has three crews of six that are on call one week in every three, but they are currently seeking new volunteers for their mid-year intake. “We’re looking for dedicated, enthusiastic recruits,” Luke says. “Boating skills do help, but really just general knowledge of the marine environment is helpful. We will train them up.”Info: Luke McCarthy, [email protected] or 021 263 1586

Coastguard prepares for winter callouts

The 10.25-metre Kawau Rescue boat has been based at Sandspit since 2010.

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winterfeature26 Mahurangimatters May 4, 2016

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Dry FirewoodStock up for Winter

With winter just around the corner, the chance of catching a cold or flu increases. You can help your body beat those winter blues by eating foods that help boost immunity and fight infection. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds that protect the plants they come from that can also protect us when we eat them. Quercetin is a phytochemical that has been investigated for its antiviral activity against a wide variety of respiratory viruses including cold and flu viruses, and is found in onions. You know how onions make you cry when you cut into them? That is part of their defence system to stop insects and animals eating them. When their cells are damaged they release sulphur compounds. Those sulphur compounds are known to have an antimicrobial effect which can help us to fight infection and they also irritate your eyes making you cry. Not only good for cold and flu, onions contain a type of fibre known as prebiotics that gut bacteria love, and healthy happy gut bacteria help make a healthy happy you. Who would’ve thought that the humble onion was so wonderful? This pie is a delicious way to beat the winter blues.

• 1 tbsp olive oil• 2 tsp whole mustard seeds• 6-8 onions, halved and thinly

sliced• 1 tsp salt• 1 tbsp fresh thyme or 1

teaspoon dried

• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• salt and pepper

• 1 x 400g pack flaky puff pastry

• 50-100g feta

• 1 tbsp milk

Caramelised Onion & Feta Pie

Beating the winter blues

CuisineNicole Wilson

Place a pan over a moderate heat, add the oil and mustard seeds, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the onions and salt, cook until the onions just start to soften, then add the garlic and thyme. Cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft. Stir in the vinegar; taste and season with salt and pepper.Grease and line with baking paper a 20cm pie dish. Roll the pastry to be slightly larger than the pie dish, carefully transfer and press pastry into the pie dish, lightly prick the base with a fork. Spoon in the onion mixture, crumble over most of the feta. Fold the edges of the pastry over the filling, don’t worry if there is an open area on top; brush pastry with milk and crumble over a little more feta. Place into a preheated oven, bake at 190oC for 20-30 minutes until the pastry is cooked and golden.Serve hot or cold.[Gluten Free: use gluten free pastry; check that your balsamic vinegar is gluten free.]

To watch Nicole making this pie, see this column online at localmatters.co.nz

Documents

Mahurangi Matters, 4 May, 2016, Winter Feature