Wood (27), a computer specialist at the University of Otago, enjoys the adrenaline kick he gets from bouncing along the whitecaps on the harbour.
He is good at his sport and added the Australian title to the pair of New Zealand slalom windsurfing gold medals he has won in the past two years.
At Botany Bay in Sydney last weekend, Wood dead-heated with Australian Mike Nelson to share the title.
"It was too close to call," Wood told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"There was no photo-finish equipment."
Wood qualified for the 10-man final.
"The final was close," Wood said.
"I was fifth at the first mark, caught up and gybed to the finish marker."
Slalom windsurfing is the high-speed arm of the sport and can be likened to slalom skiing, with obstacles rounded at speed.
The course is over 2-3km and there are usually five or six markers to be rounded at speeds of 30-35 knots.
A race lasts from 2-5min.
It is a non-Olympic class but in the professional wing of the sport 25 World Cup events are held each year.
Wood is ranked in the top 20 slalom windsurfers in the world.
"Slalom sailing is the most common type of windsurfing in the world," Wood said.
"You just line up and go fast. It is fun."
Wood followed older brother Mathew into the sport 20 years ago at the age of 7 when he was growing up in Wellington.
"I enjoy windsurfing," he said.
"I like the speed and the tactical challenge."
His wife, Victoria, is also a keen windsurfer.
Wood is sponsored by Watercooled Sports Ltd in Dunedin.
He is dedicated to his sport and trains on the harbour three to five days each week.
He also cycles and jogs to improve his strength and endurance.
