I am a 13-year-old boy in my first year at Otago Boys' High School.
In summer, I am like most other boys in my class - I go to school, I play sport and I spend a lot of time in the water.
The only difference is that instead of playing cricket or basketball, I windsurf.
For those of you who don't know what that is, windsurfing is a water sport that is a cross between sailing and surfing.
My favourite place to windsurf is the inner Dunedin harbour, because it has plenty of room to rig equipment, it is easy to access, it is safe for novices and it gets a great side-shore wind.
There is just no other place like it in or near Dunedin.
I was distraught when I heard about the Harbour Restoration Group's proposal to create a chain of artificial islands and walkways in the harbour.
Fake islands would ruin the inner harbour for windsurfers and the many other recreational users, such as kite surfers, yachts, stand-up paddle boarders, kayakers, and motor boats.
Apart from the impact on harbour users, consider the cost of this crazy proposal.
If the city council has spare money, maybe it should pay off the debt on the new stadium or finish off the cycleway around the harbour.
This would create extra leisure facilities rather than destroying some.
By James Nind, Year 9, Otago Boys' High School
