A Christchurch family with a love for the centuries-old sport of pigeon racing wants the next generation to continue sharing in the passion.
The sport has been a firm fixture in the Fry family for decades, and pigeon fancier Andrew Fry owns over just 100 of them. He's a serious competitor in the game of pigeon racing.
"They're just like a normal athlete except these things can't talk to you," he says.
"For me, it's the trophy, the prestige of winning, and beating your peers."
Loft manager Gavin Fry also says it's about "bragging rights" when you win.
"It's just something different, and when I was a young boy it kept me out of trouble," he says.
While the technology may have changed, those who participate in the centuries-old sport still share the same passion.
"When you see them come home it's very hard to describe. You get a lot of excitement for about 10 or 20 seconds and you've probably put in six to eight months' work for that one particular race," Andrew says.
Preparation is crucial, and Gavin says a lot of it is in the feeding and training.
"I just try to make sure my athletes are ready to compete so when you're going to war they're ready to get into it," Andrew says.
On race day the pigeons are transported to the starting line where they're 'let out', and each pigeon has a GPS tracker.
It took the winning pigeon just under four-and-a-half hours to make a 382 km journey from Masterton to Christchurch - an average speed of around 85 km/h.
But how do they know where to go?
"Now that's the million-dollar question," Gavin says.
"Sometimes the odd soldier doesn't return," Andrew adds.
This is what's kept third-generation Caitlin Fry from joining the tradition.
"I don't do it because I'd get far too attached to it. I've already named most of dad's loft," she says.
The onus is on Andrew and Gavin to pass on the pigeon passion to the next generation.
"If they let the candle go out then the sport will die," Andrew says.
That's one finish line he hopes these athletes never cross.
