Surf Sail

John Cataldo's greatest fear on Cook Strait is sharks. If the weather gets too cold, or the wind too strong, he can take them out of the water. He can control these things, but he can't control the sharks.

– Narrator Sam Neil introduces John Cataldo

Susie Gibbs, Grant Beck, and Chris Wiley—they want to be the first to cross on windsurf boards. Cataldo is dubious about their chances of success. He’s only consented to act as pilot for them out of concern for their safety. They planned to go ahead whether he came or not

– Narrator Sam Neil on the windsurfing crossing of the Cook Strait

John Cataldo has been fishing in Cook Strait for 35 years. Cook Strait is 25 kilometres wide. It separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, and it's one of the most dangerous stretches of water in the world.

– Narrator Sam Neil on the Cook Strait

He's very tired, he won't want to do it again, that's for sure!

– John Cataldo on Chris Wylie's final stretch windsurfing the Strait