Locals Guide with Sara
Sara has been a kayak guide for Marahau Sea Kayaks for five years. She also spends time out in the Abel Tasman collecting images and video for Marahau Sea Kayaks’ social media platforms. Sara lives right in Marahau, the Abel Tasman Village, but also spends as much time as she can out in the great outdoors. She is most at home in and among the raw nature of the great Kiwi outdoors!
My favourite part of the Abel Tasman is the area north of Totaranui. The coastline is just that little bit more rugged and there are hardly any other people on the Coastal Track up that way. I love the beaches in the south of the Park too, but head to the northern end when I’m looking for an adventure!
Q & A time with Sara
What’s your job in the Abel Tasman?
The best job there is!! I am a sea kayak guide for Marahau Sea Kayaks!
What is your favourite spot in the Abel Tasman?
That’s almost like asking me to pick my favourite child… but if I REALLY had to pick a favourite it would have to be either Anapai or Mutton Cove.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by nature. I love being surrounded by it and listening to all the different sounds and being immersed in all the beautiful scenery and colours. I honestly think there is a lot of healing that can be done in nature and I’m very lucky to have the job that I do because I feel like every day I’m healing, learning and growing, just from being out in the wonderful Abel Tasman!
What is your ultimate go to jam to put you in a good mood?
‘Don’t stop me now’ by Queen. It’s a great motivator for when the house needs cleaning too!
What are three things you just couldn’t live without?
My family, my camera and peppermint tea.
Best movie of all time?
Forrest Gump!
What do you think about when you’re alone?
I’m not going to lie, I think about food a lot. I really love cooking and creating good food, so I spend a lot of my alone time online looking up new recipes and thinking about what next big thing I’m going to create for my partner to try out.
Who is your hero?
I think I’d say my grandma is my hero. I really look up to her and always have. She went through the loss of her first husband at a really early age and has battled through lots of illness throughout her life but despite all she’s been through she’s a hearty old lady and still continues to work hard around her farm and garden. When I’m her age, I’d really like to carry both the mental and physical strength she has… let’s hope it’s a genetic thing!
Favourite local spot outside of the Abel Tasman?
I am absolutely in love with Golden Bay. Every opportunity I get, I pop over the Takaka Hill to Golden Bay and feel incredibly at home there. A few of my favourite spots in Golden Bay include Wharariki, Pupu Springs and Wainui falls, but there are literally limitless exploration possibilities over there!
What makes you laugh the most?
I’m lucky enough to work alongside a group of people that are extremely quick witted and always have me chuckling from even the early hours of the morning. Aside from that, as most other people in this day and age, a good funny video or photo online is quite often enough to get a giggle out of me!
