From Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 8 2023 we are celebrating World Sailing's annual Steering the Course women's festival.
This page highlights just some of the sailing opportunities provided by Yachting New Zealand-affiliated yacht clubs or commercial members for women and girls to try sailing, improve their skills or learn something new.
For more about the World Sailing Steering the Course women's festival, click here.
Evolution Sails Women's Regatta (Waikawa Boating Club)
A two-day regatta for women, this year's event takes place on September 16-17, 2023. Past editions have featured everyone from world and Olympic champions to beginners. With the success of the 2022 regatta and a record number of entries, a cap of 250 crew entries has been placed on this year's edition.
For more information, click here.
Women on Water Regatta (Gulf Harbour Yacht Club)
Sailed in the beautiful waters of Gulf Harbour, this event is designed for women of all sailing levels to enjoy a weekend on the water sailing and networking, with an emphasis on having fun. The next event will be held from March 15 to 17, 2023 and will again be hosted by Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, in association with Auckland Yacht & Boating Association (AYBA).
For more information, click here.
PredictWind Girls Championship Regatta (Kohimarama Yacht Club)
The PredictWind Girls Champs has been a fixture on the sailing calendar for more than 30 years and its success prompted the Kohimarama Yacht Club to look into turning it into a two-day regatta in 2022. Planning is well under way for the 2024 edition, following another successful event in March this year.
For more information, click here.
Women's Day Out (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron)
The latest addition to the diary, the Women'sDay Out is designed for females of all ages to participate on the water – from sailing novices to experienced yachties. The inaugural regatta was held on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
For more information, click here.
Other events
NZ Sailing Trust Hine Moana - All Female Sailing and Kayaking Adventure
The Hine Moana program offers a life-changing adventure for young women to boost their self-confidence, enhance communication skills, and form new, long-lasting friendships in a supportive environment. The program empowers young women to reflect on their journey with self-respect and respect for Kaitiakitanga.
Hine Moana is a female-specific youth development program that takes place over five days of sailing and kayaking. Designed for 13-18-year-old females, the program helps to build their confidence in the outdoors, and whenever possible, female kayak guides and skippers are brought in as role models to lead the program.
https://www.nzsailingtrust.com/hine-moana
UPCOMING AVAILABLE DATES
- 15th January to 19th January 2024
- 15th April to 19th April 2024
- 30th September to 4th October 2024
Pleasant Point Yacht Club - 1st & 2nd October 2022
Pleasant Point Yacht Club, Ōtautahi | Christchurch, is organizing their first 'Wāhine on the Water' (WOTW) event on 1 & 2 October 2022.
Day 1 (1st of October 2022) 'Have a go' day, where 40 women and girls will have a go at sailing in various dinghies. The majority of our coaches are women. This day is oversubscribed with a waiting list. Spectators are welcome.
Day 2 (2nd of October 2022) is an 'Open Trophy Race' for women and girls only. The race officer is one of our female club members. Spectators are welcome.
Feel free to click on the following links for more information: https://www.ppycsailing.nz/https://www.facebook.com/PleasantPointYachtClub/
Wakatere Boating Club - Thursday Social Sailing
Wakatere is inviting ladies to join the club's Women's Social Sailing group this season for regular sailing on Thursday afternoons. Sailing is followed by drinks and nibbles - all very social.
Great Escape Sailing with the Opua Cruising Club
"Have a Go" Sailing Days or Learn to Sail programmes. We have awesome women instructors and Great Escape keelboats ready. Women can join us for a fun day on the water, have a go at helming, and all the different crew positions in a safe all-women environment.
You can find more information about Great Escape here and Opua Cruising Club here.
Nelson Yacht Club
Learn to sail at Nelson Yacht Club and you will find a variety of options for women and girls.
Junior learn to sail programmes are run in holidays, evenings and weekends in term time in a variety of yachts from single-handed dinghies to double-handed dinghies to windsurfing. https://www.nelsonyachtclub.org.nz/learn-to-sail/
Adult learn to sail courses are run throughout the summer season and Mondays are wahine only. https://www.nelsonyachtclub.org.nz/learn-to-sail/learn-to-sail-adult/
Have a go days for girls and women are run from time to time, contact the club for details.
Hamilton Yacht Club
Waikato Women on Water Wednesdays
Experienced or novice women, come enjoy sailing with women on our gentle fun Quest yachts. Lots of laughter and learning with women coaches. Bring your daughters too (10yrs +).
5:30pm registration + 6pm Briefing/instructions for sailing.
Find more information and register here.
Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club
Women on Water
Established in 2001, the concept of taking complete beginners out sailing on the Tauranga harbour now attracts 80-100 women each WOW night during the summer season.
The WOW Summer Series comprises 9 sails each summer. Registration Evening for the 2021/22 season. Find more information here.
Royal Akarana Yacht Club - Learn to sail and Women's racing
The Akarana Sailing Academy was established in 2001 and since then has produced local, national and world champions through the comprehensive courses provided to sailors from the age of 8 to 80. The fun yet knowledgeable coaching approach encourages learning in an exciting and safe environment for all.https://rayc.co.nz/academy/
Graduates of adult learn to sail programmes are also invited to continue to hone their skills sailing with friends in some fun racing on the club's Quest yachts. Social get-together at the club after sailing. For more information contact Maria here.
Naval Point Club Lyttleton
Women's Sailing Experience
NPCL in Christchurch has sailing experiences available for women and girls to try sailing.
The club has a small fleet of Elliot 6m yachts which are sailed with 3-4 people.
For more information contact the club's Youth & Development Coordinator Amanda here
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Sailing School - In 2015 the RNZYS launched its first adult beginner level 1 programme to establish a training ground for members and to introduce people to the sport of sailing at any age. https://www.learntosailnz.com/about/
Ladies Summer Racing Series https://www.rnzys.org.nz/rnzys-events/ladies-series/
The club also hosts the New Zealand Women's Match Racing and Keelboat National Championships events each year.
Auckland Women's 50 50 regatta This is an open event sailing Elliot 7's, for members of any yacht club, the skipper/helm of each boat must be a woman. Mixed crews of 4 must have no more than two (2) males in the team, all-female crews may have 4 or 5 members.https://www.rnzys.org.nz/rnzys-events/5050-womens-regatta/
Ponsonby Cruising Club
Women's spring + summer series
This year, to give women more opportunity to learn the ropes, the Notice of Race states: 6.1. All boats may sail with a maximum of half male crew members. i.e. with an uneven crew number, including the helms woman, male crew member numbers will be the lesser. 6.2. A woman must helm at all times.
For more information contact the club here: info@pcc.org.nz
Ponsonby Cruising Club Sailing School
The Ponsonby CC sailing school is designed for children from 9 years old to adults. The Optimist, Splash and Far East 11 sailing dinghies are great for learning in. For many years the Ponsonby Sailing School has introduced Kiwis to sailing and has a number of graduates who are well known for their various yachting exploits. sailingschool@pcc.org.nz