Couples fall in love with water Wetas

LOVE BOAT: A young Chinese couple poses for a souvenir wedding photo with a Weta trimaran.

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Guess what's making waves among lovebirds in China? Weta trimarans

The sailboats built by a North Shore company, have become a wedding accessory for couples in Qingdao, the Chinese mainland city North Shore is courting as a sister city.

Qingdao is the venue for the sailing event for the 2008 Olympics. Since going on display on Qingdao's waterfront the Weta has become a hit among newlyweds wanting souvenir photos taken with the trimaran, says Roger Kitchen of Campbells Bay's Weta Marine.

"The winds are very light there, which is difficult for sailing but ideal for the Weta, which has become a wedding accessory, helping tie the knot for more young couples," he says.

The trimarans are stored on the lawn in front of a restaurant that is popular for wedding receptions.

The boats are so popular that the restaurant now has 'wedding photos' on the menu.

And with their 'Weta desert' couples buy the chance to go sailing.

Mr Kitchen says it has a photo with the boats has become a must for newlyweds in Qingdao.

In May, Weta Marine loaned two new Weta trimarans to the Qingdao Sailing School to help introduce the Chinese to sailing.

The city is hosting this week's pre-Olympic regatta, which is expected to draw a crowd of half a million to the waterfront.

To prepare for the Olympics, the city has built a 42km walkway on the coastline.

Mr Kitchen says the Wetas were moved from the Olympic marina to the restaurant lawn because boating activity in the marina is banned during Olympic committee meetings.

He says Andrew Murdoch, our champion Olympic Laser sailor, will feel quite at home this week as he heads out to the starting line past the Weta, which he has enjoyed sailing in New Zealand.

The Weta retails at US$8900 in China.

- © Fairfax NZ News