There is a good chance you would have met Kevin Hooper. He is one of our leading Integrity representatives however, there are hidden depths to the resident Kiwi. We sat down with Kevin to find out more and learned he represented New Zealand in sailing and he revealed his favourite Integrity.
Kevin is a good Kiwi and like all good Kiwis, he sails. Originally from the Bay of Islands, he got into sailing at the tender age of five under the watchful eyes of his Dad, Peter. Starting out on Sun Bursts and 420s, the love of the sea was entrenched in Kevin and he went onto represent New Zealand for four years in their youth program sailing 420s in world competitions.
It was during this time Kevin qualified as a coastal skipper under the globally-recognised, leading Royal Yachting Association standards. With skippers’ ticket in hand, Kevin did what any young, ambitious sailor does and headed to Europe to captain a private 68-foot yacht in Spain, the Greek Islands and Turkey. Yet home called so Kevin returned to Auckland where he ran a jetski hire outfit. It was here he met his English wife, Samantha.
Sam and Kevin went back to England where Kevin had a hiatus from sailing. “It was too cold,” he explained. “However, I started selling real estate and these skills have been combined with my boating knowledge and easily transferred to brokerage when we came back to Australia.”
Kevin and his wife returned to the Gold Coast where they met Lee Randall, Integrity’s Business Development Director, whilst sailing at the Southport Yacht Club. They make a great team on the ropes and so it wasn’t long before Kevin was a member of the Integrity team putting his skills and experience to good use.
“I love the Gold Coast and the warm weather suits me. I really appreciate the classic simplicity of the Integrity Motor Yacht range and the family orientation of the group,” continued Kevin.
When asked which Integrity is his favourite, he offered, “It is hard to pick just one however, if pressed I would pick the 380SX as it is easily managed by one and I can see myself getting out on the water for some quiet time when I am not sailing on Fusion and Black Diamond.”
Kevin lost his Dad this year but Peter will forever be with him, through Kevin’s love for the sea and all things boating!
Contact Kevin to find out why he loves the 380SX.