October 2022 Newsletter

Holy Moly - this alumni bikes on water

Whether it is out on the lake or ocean, test-driving a hydrofoil bike is all in a day’s work for Leonard Sonntag. It’s where his studies as a mechanical engineer (with first class honours) have taken him.

Bikeonwater

Leonard is a former Trident High School pupil. He began his tertiary studies in 2010, armed with a Bay of Plenty Education Trust Scholarship, studying at both the University of Canterbury and the University of Waikato. Study was followed by six months’ travelling overseas, then six years at Hayes International in Rotorua working on designing roll forming equipment, before Rotorua-based Leonard took up his current job with Manta5. He’s been employed there for two years as Mechanical Product Development Engineer, where his focus has been designing the drivetrain (gears) and front foil tiller for the hydrofoil bike – a water bike that replicates the cycling experience on water. Leonard isn’t out wave riding every day but says there’s never a boring day. Working on “such a unique and complex product” can involve long and fast-paced days, overcoming many challenges.

“An average day changes quite a bit. Some days are more computer based using design CAD software and crunching numbers. On other days I'll be out in the workshop building prototypes and on the best days I will be out testing at the lake or ocean,” Leonard explains.

It’s not unusual for people to ask him if he thinks he has the dream job, and to be interested, if not puzzled, by what he does.

“It’s definitely a fun job and I do feel lucky to have had the opportunities in my life to get where I have,” he adds.

One of those opportunities came courtesy of a Bay of Plenty Education Trust scholarship.

“That definitely helped get me into university. It can be quite daunting leaving home and going into student life with lots of costs, like course fees and accommodation,” Leonard tells.

As would be expected, many people also ask Leonard – who’s done a lot of testing by now - what it’s like biking on water.

“It’s a unique experience. Pedalling a bike-like-craft quietly across the surface of the water at 18km/h is an awesome feeling. The hydrofoils gliding you across the water with minimal splash makes you feel like you are flying. In clear waters you can see down to the water's bottom, sometimes sneaking up on fish.”

It's also great exercise, Leonard adds, although there is throttle mode which takes advantage of the electric motor and allows riders to boost around with minimal effort. Leonard loves biking and water sport so it’s little wonder he’s so enthused about hydrofoil biking. He lives in Rotorua, travelling to work in Hamilton three days a week, and working from home on two. Living in Rotorua enables him to pursue his love of mountain biking (he has a “big background” in that). He also enjoys kiteboarding, wing foiling, sailing and surfing.

Leonard is one happy BOP Education Trust scholarship alumni.

Introducing... our trustees

Tom Beswick has achieved level five in Israeli Martial Art Krav Maga, Richard Dey has worked in places as diverse as Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands, while Roger Loveridge enjoys the occasional blat down to our capital city on his motorbike. John Revington looks after our Kiwi and DOC bush, while if you want to catch Jonny Beadle outside of work then best check out fun outdoor places – he loves to mountain bike, water ski, and snow ski. And this organisation’s Chairman owns a business with the sort of name movies are made of! The BOP Education Trust board features a dynamic bunch of trustees with diverse interests and capabilities and a strong commitment to education. For many, their philanthropy extends beyond this Trust. Read on for a brief introduction to the team members who govern the good the Trust achieves.

Nick Earl

On the work front… Nick has practiced as a solicitor since 2010, after completing a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce & Administration, majoring in marketing, at Victoria University. Just this year he, and his wife, launched “The Firm”, a general practice Tauranga law firm which brings a fresh, client-centric approach to the legal industry. Nick is a Director of The Firm.

Doing good… Nick is proud to Chair the Bay of Plenty Education Trust. Since 2011 he has also been a trustee (through a trustee company) of the Wish for Fish Charitable Trust. Having fun… Nick and his wife have two young children, with their third due in January. He spends his spare time with the children and going on family adventures. Walks, bike rides and the beach are some of the favourites. Sharing a wisdom… “It’s an education observation - I didn’t understand or appreciate it when I was at university but being educated is an amazing experience and it can lead to so much more for an individual and their community. People never stop learning and should strive to soak up as much education as they can,” Nick says.

Tom Beswick Tombeswick

On the work front… Tom has been a Director at Ingham Mora Chartered Accountants since 2017 and was appointed Ingham Mora Board Chairman this year. Doing good… Tom is the Secretary of the BOP Education Trust. He is also the Treasurer and a Board Member of both the Tauranga Business Chamber and Downtown Tauranga.

Having fun… Tom and his wife have three children (aged four, seven and 11). His spare time usually involves pottering on his family’s small orchard. He is an occasional golfer and poker player (with friends) and an Israeli Martial Art enthusiast. Sharing a wisdom…“Don’t underestimate the power of networks and keep in touch. Also, acknowledge that many skills can be learned if you want them badly enough, even if they don’t come naturally,” Tom says.

Richarddey Richard Dey

Jonny Beadle Jonnybeadle

On the work front… Jonny is an Investment Adviser with Craigs Investment Partners. He studied at Lincoln University in Christchurch, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance. He spent seven years working in various commercial banking roles across Australia and New Zealand before joining Craigs Investment Partners in Tauranga in 2019. He became a Trustee of the BOP Education Trust in May 2021.

Having fun… When not serving on the Trust or at work, Jonny enjoys spending time with family, mountain biking, water skiing, snow skiing, and travelling. He and his wife have two young sons (aged two and four) and “a giant, fluffy dog who considers herself a third child”.

Rogerloveridge Roger Loveridge

Doing good… Roger – a retired businessman - has been a BOP Education Trust board member since 2006! He has enjoyed lengthy, and valuable, involvement with the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, gaining Life Membership in recognition of his service. He assisted in reinvigorating the BOP Young Enterprise Scheme and worked on the Business Awards Committee (including in a judging capacity).

Within the education sector, Roger also spent a collective 15 years as a Board Member of first a primary school and then a college. Waipuna Hospice has also benefitted from his largesse. He committed time there as a volunteer over a decade – cleaning nurses’ cars, driving patients, visiting patients, and serving on the Waipuna Hospice Inc Board. Having fun… Family is huge. When grandchildren come along you are forever blessed, Roger says. He says his motorbike is a special thing – riding to Wellington to catch up with family is great. Sharing a wisdom… “I am retired but can say that I have enjoyed going to work all of my life and this is something special. I say to others: find something you like doing and keep doing it!”

John Revington Johnrevington

Doing good… John is a long-time member of the BOP Education Trust. This “happily retired” professional (formerly of Tauranga engineering firm BECA) is environmentally focussed. He is involved in dune care, and in replanting DOC bush escarpment in the seaside settlement of Ōhope, which he now calls home. John is also committed to trap-lining to protect Kiwi (as part of a local Kiwi Trust).

Having fun… Sailing, surfing, skiing, fishing and hiking are John’s main leisure activities. He and his wife (they have four adult children) also love travelling and have a five-day walk in Jordan planned for next year.

Petertootell Peter Tootell

The Trust’s seventh member, Peter Tootell, retires from the Trust at the end of this year. On the work front… Peter has been involved in teaching since the early 1970’s. He has worked as a school advisor and served on Boards of Trustees. He was Trident High School’s Principal from 1999 to 2014. He is semi-retired and does occasional consultancy work in the education sector.

Doing good… Peter committed to providing opportunities to cater for all students expecting achievement for all. He promoted the concept of a trades’ academy amongst the region’s secondary schools as he believed in the need to provide secondary school students with viable alternatives to what was traditionally offered. By the time he retired, Trident was the lead school for the largest Trades Academy in New Zealand with hubs in Whakatane, Rotorua, Taupo, Tokoroa and Tauranga. Having fun… Travel and fishing get the big ticks when it comes to favourite leisurely pursuits.

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