When Ran Tan lost her canting keel, mid-ocean
About Rebecca
It takes hard work to make writing look easy.
I am passionate about writing and sailing, and for much of my career, I have combined them in magazine articles and non-fiction books.
As yachting editor, later editor, of Boating New Zealand from 1998 to 2008, and from 2013 to 2015 I've covered hundreds of new boats built in New Zealand and overseas, including in-depth technical articles on more than 20 superyachts built in New Zealand, many of which won international awards for best build and innovation. I wrote for some of the world's highest profile boating magazines: Boat International, UK; Supersail World, UK; YachtingWorld, UK; Yachts International, USA; Practical Boat Owner, UK and Oceans, Australia. Editors of magazines such as these demand high standards in accuracy, detail and writing style; it tested me and I felt privileged to write for them.
In the run-up to the 2021 America's Cup, I started blogging daily reports for fun in what I call my freestyle writing - a little bit funky, sometimes hi-tech, insights on personalities. It was picked up by Northsails.com, USA for whom I wrote a daily blog and technical pieces with North Sails' experts. I loved it.
Over 30 years, I've written for a wide range of magazines including North & South (Best Columnist, Media Awards, 2020), NZ Life & Leisure (Best Journalist, Media Awards 2013; Best International Feature, Highly Commended, Travel Media Awards 2019), Wilderness (Best Journalist, Media Awards 2017), Classic Car, The Shed, Habitat and learned a little about a lot. Ultimately, writing for me is about integrity, listening to my inner voice and respecting my reader.


Samples of my work
Writing Awards
MAGAZINE MEDIA AWARDS
2006 Editor of the Year - Supreme Overall Winner, Boating New Zealand
Judges' comments:
'Shares her audience's passion for the subject but has a wonderful ability to make boating interesting to a broad audience. Draws into the title a wide range of stories from practical to inspirational - a talented editor.'
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2006 Editor of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand
2006 Magazine of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand
2011 Journalist of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand
2011 Journalist of the Year - Consumer Publishing, Alive magazine
2012 Journalist of the Year - Consumer Publishing, SkySport
Judges' comments:
'Punchy openers, inspiring stories –
believable and well-paced.
Well structured and impeccably researched and very well presented.'
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2013 Journalist of the Year - Lifestyle, NZ Life and Leisure
2014 Editor of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand
2014 Magazine of the Year - Special Interest, Boating New Zealand
2015 Journalist of the Year, Highly Commended - Boating New Zealand
2016 Journalist of the Year, Highly Commended - Boating New Zealand
2017 Journalist of the Year - Special Interest - Boating New Zealand and Wilderness magazines
2020 Best Columnist/Blogger - North and South magazine
2012 Graeme Lay Short Story Competition, Highly Commended
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES TRAVCOM MEDIA AWARDS
2019 Best International Story - Highly Commended
- North and South magazine
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