Barbara began racing single-handed junior class boats at 12 yrs and reached a high level of success at National level.  At 16 yrs she tried windsurfing as a serious sport and entered in the selection trials for the IYRU Women’s Worlds – 3 months later, she entered her first world competition in Scotland.  She went on to represent New Zealand in windsurfing at the Youth & Women’s Worlds in Switzerland and France.

Barbara has tremendous drive and commitment and has numerous world titles to her credit, despite very daunting circumstances at times. She claimed her first title in 1987 when she won the World Production Class Championships in Sweden and her first Mistral boardsailing championship in 1998 when she took the world title in Brest, France.  She is also one of the world’s most accomplished wave-sailors with an international win to her credit.

Her achievements have been widely recognised, firstly with the prestigious AGC Young Achievers Award in 1989 and later the Commemorative Queens Medal; the MBE and the Sir Bernard Ferguson Trophy Yachtsperson of the Year Award. In 1996, she became New Zealand's most successful female Olympian for which she was awarded New Zealand Sports Woman of the Year.

Not only is Barbara an inspiring and entertaining speaker she was the Runner Up in the 2009 series of "Dancing with the Stars" with her talented partner Jonny Williams.  Barbara also contributes to the sporting community in many ways as the Sports Ambassador for Sport & Recreation NZ; High Performance Board member for Yachting New Zealand; member of the NZ Olympic Committee Athletes Commission – she’s a tremendous role model for young and old alike.