Ginger Gibbs – (1954 – 2007)
On September 17th in 1997 Ginger Gibbs opened the doors for the first time to the legendary Swashbucklers Restaurant and Bar. There was no EFTPOS – it took Smith many months to collect all those tabs! However there was a load of alcohol and fresh seafood that was raved about.
As Swashbucklers grew over the years it has become one of Aucklands most popular restaurants for a quiet ale on its promenade deck or a delicious seafood platter in the restaurant. Throughout the years Ginger became well known in Auckland, New Zealand and around the world, whether he was collecting G Strings for his bar, riding his legendary Harley through the restaurant or just being a great mate.
Sadly, Ginger Gibbs passed away from a fatal heart attack on January the 17th 2007. All who knew him will miss a fine man and a wonderful character that added so much to Auckland's restaurant and hospitality business. Known around the world; Ginger loved his life and did what he wanted, when he wanted and how he wanted!
Ginger Gibbs was born in the Mokohinou Lighthouse in the mid 1950s on Great Barrier Island. His father was a whaler who then had moved into run the lighthouse.
At the age of 14 after obviously seeing to much of Tom Sawyer he did what all kids dream of – he ran away to sea as a cabin boy. And so began his passion for life on the sea with over 28 years at sea his knowledge is inspiring for all sea loving merchants.
Moving on from the islands of the world, hula girls, cold coconuts, Gordons Gin and overproof Rum and then more hula girls Ginger started the successful Swashbucklers Restaurant in Westhaven Auckland where his most lethal drink is his daily Noni Juice. (but still lots of girls of course) He had to admit to living on the land however still spent hundreds of hours each year on the water in his extremely fast RIB traveling around the Hauraki Gulf and to Great Barrier Island where he was born and bred.
Some called him a pirate some called him a smelly fishmonger, others well we had better not repeat. Whatever you would like to call him Ginger had a long history with the ocean, and even more so with the Tasman. He has successfully made more than 200 Tasman crossings. Then in 2006 Ginger Gibbs and his Flying Pirate crew set the new World Record for the fastest boat from Sydney Harbour Bridge to Auckland Harbour Bridge. They arrived in Auckland setting the record time of 40 hours, 31 miutes and 26 seconds (official UIM time), taking 7 hours off the last record set by the cruise liner ‘Oriana’ over 45 years ago.
Once this record was set Ginger then set his sights on a new record – the fastest boat to circumnavigate New Zealand! Auckland Harbour Bridge to Auckland Harbour Bridge – the long way! Building on his experience with his previous record he set about getting his custom built boat into action. Before the next record could be set Ginger passed away.
However on the morning the 4th March 2007, Shag and Squid Gibbs (Gingers brothers), Paul Rix, Adam Wickes and Nigel Hawkes arrived under the Auckland Harbour Bridge to set the new World Record for a power boat to circumnavigate New Zealand. This was the dream of the late Ginger Gibbs and a challenge that only the likes of Ginger could leave for his brothers and crew to take on!
