Bruce started sailing at age 7 and racing by age 12 . In 1979 Bruce became the first to windsurf from Auckland to Tauranga return at age 15. Then in 1981 first to boardsail from Kawau to Auckland, the same year coming First in the Rangitoto Ironman challenge at age 17. Three years and over 60 various regattas later he gained 3rd place in Los Angeles Olympic games to obtain a Bronze medal for New Zealand. In 1988 at age 24 Bruce became New Zealands’ first sailor to become a double Olympic medalist easily taking a Gold Medal in Korean Olympic Games, inspiring a line of successful windsurfers in New Zealand, Barbara Kendall, Aaron Mckintosh and Tom Ashley. In the Barcelona Olympic Games he was a finalist coming in 4th after his fin broke during the final leg, but successfully petitioned for a rule change for future sailors in the same predicament. In all Bruce has attended six Olympics Games and has been involved in eight Olympic games as coach, advisor or sailor.