Along with husband, Ken, she entered her 5.8m Sitka spruce and cedar boat in the Oamaru Harbour Regatta yesterday, only the second time it has appeared at the Friendly Bay Boat Society's annual event.
With a lateen sail, Mr Rolfe competed in the sailing events, then that was removed for Mrs Rolfe to race in the rowing competitions.
While living in Oamaru, the couple spend a lot of time travelling in their motor caravan towing the boat, which has sailed in Lakes Taupo, Wanaka and Hawea since she bought it.
It was bought in 1988 from Morley Cedar Canoes, based at Swan Lake in Montana. It was a prototype for a company established in 1972 by Greg Morley, now joined by son Steve that produces about 25 types of handcrafted canoes, kayaks, stand up boards, small skiffs and other custom watercraft.
She saw the craft when she visited the company while on a trip to the United States and the one she bought was originally owned by a friend of Mr Morley's but was sold when he could not use it any more.
''He [Mr Morley] regularly contacts me to ask how the boat is going, and he's pleased it is still going strong,'' Mrs Rolfe said.
That is partly due to the three complete refurbishments she and Mr Rolfe have done since she bought it.
It takes about five months, off and on, to completely strip the boat by sandpapering then building back up the varnish coats to keep it looking like new.
''It is in pretty good conditions,'' Mrs Rolfe acknowledged, '' despite being towed around all over the place [exposed to elements].''
The regatta was to have been held on Waitangi Day, but was called off because of strong winds, showers and cold temperatures.
It was worth the wait until yesterday when there was enough wind to make racing interesting and temperatures were in the mid 20s.
The event is a traditional regatta day which includes coracle jousting, sailing, Seagull powered boat races, and dinghy rowing races, along with boat displays, sandcastle competition and live music.
