- Trailer Yachts
- Sports Boats
- Keelers
- Cruising Boats
The event kicks off on the Friday evening with the Invitation Rum Race in the harbour for all entrants. This is followed on Saturday by Day One of the Trailer Yacht Regatta and a practice day for the keelers with round the buoys racing and a race for the cruisers. Also during Saturday the annual Wellington to Nelson race will bring visiting keelers to Nelson. Sunday is Day Two of the Trailer Yacht Regatta and the start of the official Nelson Regatta which begins with three round the cans races for the Romeo and Juliet divisions, and a coastal race for the cruising boats. On Monday trailer yachts are welcome to join the keelers and cruisers as they set off across Tasman Bay for two days of coastal racing which will include a night and a beach party in Anchorage in the Abel Tasman National Park. Tuesday sees the boats racing back to Nelson.
Feeders for the regatta include the RPNYC Wellington to Nelson Race and the Waikawa Regatta .