National Treasure Barbara's Island Drama

Why she can’t pass up a ggood challenge

- Kelly Bertrand

Some do it for the fame, some do it for the fortune. However, not many celebrities embark on reality television shows for sheer curiosity – but then Barbara Kendall has always done things a little differently.

The gold, silver and bronze Olympic medallist admits she didn’t hesitate when asked to appear on Celebrity Treasure Island, her second jab at a celeb-focused competition following her turn on Dancing with the Stars 10 years ago.

“Yeah, that’s how you get yourself into all sorts of mischief!” she laughs.

“I always say yes. I say, ‘Yes, of course!’ without thinking, and then I go, ‘Shoot, what have I just done?’ And then I have to figure out how to do it. This time was no different!”

Barbara is one of 16 well known Kiwis dispatched to a lonely Pacific island to battle it out for $100,000 in prize money, which will go straight to the winner’s chosen charity.

The prospect of being left on an island with a bunch of social media influencers, actors, singers and fellow sports stars didn’t bother Barbara in the slightest, she tells.

“People kept asking, ‘What’s going to be the hardest part, hanging out with all of these young social influencers and all the drama and what not?’” she nods.

“But that’s easy. That doesn’t even ruffle my feathers in the slightest – people don’t worry me, I’ve been in far too many different environments and situations for that to happen!”

No, it wasn’t her fellow competitors, creepy crawlies or the fact that, at 51, she was the oldest woman on the island that worried the former windsurfer – Barbara knew exactly what her stumbling block would be.