2011_SLSNZ_SurfRescueMag

49
FULL NAME: Mark Trevor Bourneville
NICKNAME: Horse AGE: 48
FAVOURITE MOVIE: LOTR or Matrix, plus all the surf boat videos we do at Piha
FAVOURITE SAYING: ‘The Big Show!’
FAMILY: Wife Nathalie and four beautiful children; Ariane, Cedric, Ludo, Audrey-lise
FAVOURITE BAND: The Who or Pink Floyd
OCCUPATION: Managing Director BFG (Bourneville Furniture Group)
this in a Marlon Brando impersonated voice just
reconfirming my earlier thoughts...] The Piha club has
so many important people that all put so much into
the club. Also have to mention Dan Harris from Waihi,
the guy is 70-something, still sweeping and has been
for decades and decades. [Little does he know Dan
is only 48. Stay out of the sun kids!]
HSG: You get such a strong sense of pride from
the horse. It’s humbling just to be around. “Who
do you most admire outside of surf lifesaving?
Why?”
H: Bluey McClennan, a good mate of mine. [Oh you
are such a mane dropper.] The man is a league
coaching guru, I love talking to him, he is a coaching
god, the man inspires me and is always looking at
how to win. If only I could get him to sweep! Oh and
I have to mention the Crusher! Don’t ask why! [Ok, I
won’t then].
HSG: “You are pretty outspoken about certain
issues... where has this outspokenness come
from?”
H: It’s just in my character. [Breeding don’t you
mean.] I know there are times when I probably should
keep it shut, but I am passionate and driven about
all that I do, if something gets in my way I will move it
out of the way.
HSG: “What is it about surf lifesaving that you
really like and keeps you involved?”
H: The people, the history, the passion and the fact
that we save people’s lives, the large majority of
people are all volunteers and they put so much in to
what we do. And this sport called ‘Surf Boats’ - it
is the single most greatest sport ever, in a boat with
my two twin sons, or my daughter, at Piha beach in
a 3m swell and you catch a wave back to the beach
and you experience that together!! You tell me what
other sport in the world can do that? You can’t touch
it. [Bonanza was a pretty cool TV programme? Not
even that?]
HSG: “What is your current training regime?”
H: Crikey. [?? who says that these days? This saying
went out of fashion when Mr Ed did.] Where do I
start, running multiple crews and also trying to do
my own thing to stay in shape, training the crews is
a multiple nights/mornings a week job, for myself,
cycling, boxing training, some gym work, evenings/
mornings. [No wonder he looks like he could tie me in
a knot and back leg kick me into next week.]
HSG: “Do you reckon you could beat up SBW?”
H: YES, don’t think he is great on the boxing. Neither
am I for that fact – I think what I do in the ring is
an insult to boxers ! But I have a crack! Somehow
manage to connect my fists to my passion and
energy and then just let them go! Plus I am good
at pushing the angry button!! [You are like a faulty
Tom Thumb (olden day firework) unpredictable and
dangerous. Disrespect at your peril.]
HSG:“Did you enjoy your involvement in Piha Surf
Rescue? Why?”
H: It’s great for educating the public and trying to
teach people about what not to do at Piha (some
don’t learn very quickly though). Plus it’s great for my
sponsors involved in our boat program! [The perfect
mix of altruism and capitalism. Just like Richard
Branson flying to Ethiopia with bags of rice in his
private Apollo 14.]
HSG:“Would you ever get into politics? Why or
why not?”
H: I have an interest but the time it would take would
interfere with my passion for sports (surf boats in
particular).
HSG: “What will you be doing in 20 years’ time?”
H: Hopefully still sweeping like Dan Harris is! I want to
help surf boats in Europe (particularly) take off, they
are moving already but need a hand.
HSG: “Do you have any regrets?”
H: YES, should have started doing surf boats many,
many years ago! [I can’t help thinking if surf boats
had a god, it would be the Horse.]
In summary, I am left feeling like the Horse is a bit
like a shopping trolley. Pragmatic, dependable,
strong, some rough edges and the hardest of
work ethics. Occasionally he loses direction and
focus but with the direction of a good woman
and a well thought out ‘to do list’ he will go all
day and help many many many people over the
course of his life with humility and take-it-orleave-it
honesty. He has a lot of life to go yet so I
certainly don’t want to be responsible for putting
the horse before the cart… just yet.
PHOTOS: JOEL FORD PHOTOGRAPHY
SURF LIFE SAVING | SURF RESCUE | NOV 2011