News library

David Robertson, who has been competing in windsurfing and kiteboarding for years, had a dream to enter the long distance Coastal Classic, but not in a yacht, on his kiteboard!

With summer nearly here, the New Zealand Herald published a helpful article on October 25th to help the landlubbers amongst us in the “City of Sails” to also get out there.

It’s coming around fast – enter now – our entry list is on line. Exciting news. The new Sport’s Boat on the market will be racing at the 2015 Bay Regatta – the VX One – fast and fun; manufactured here in New Zealand by our world famous boat building company ‘Mackay Boats’. See the attachment, it’s worth a look.

Yachting New Zealand’s Auckland office is moving from Westhaven to Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna on November 14th. The new physical address, from Monday 17th November will be 4 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna. The move means the Yachting New Zealand office will be closed for business for at least two days;

The pace is quickening in the world of the America’s Cup.

Greater public access to a key part of the North Shore coastline coupled with a community and marine activity hub which could be enjoyed by all ages is a key plank in a revised plan proposed for the Northern Activity Zone.

Recently a kiwi team competed at the 2014 Optimist World Championships held in Argentina coming up against 207 sailors from 38 nations. Racing came to a close on October 31st.

By now most of you should have made it home from this year's PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic - wherever home may be! For some it's the Bay of Islands, for others, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Australia and even Hong Kong. What a fantastic turnout from around the country, and from beyond our shores.

If you know anyone that is keen to get into sailing and boating, but doesn’t know where to start, please tell them about the Boating 101 Seminar at Westhaven Marina on the evening of Monday 10 November.

Paraplegic Jonathan Martins has single-handedly sailed into Tauranga on October the 16th, after a total of 72 days sailing alone at sea, on a passage that took almost 4 months from Panama to New Zealand, across the Pacific Ocean.

Nominations for the 2014 Attitude Awards have closed and the 3 finalists in each category announced, and a very familiar name appears under the “Making A Difference” category!

Náutico Clube Boa Esperança, Lisbon, with the support of New Zealand boat designer Peter Tait, is running an Inclusive Boat Building programme

One lucky Club will receive a Black NZL Sailing shell jacket (size large) - all clubs registered for 2015 Volvo National Sailing and Boating Day by 1 December 2015 will go in the draw to win.

The 2014 Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards is just over two weeks away following the recent announcement of this year’s Service and Performance Awards. The big winners will be announced on the night, at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland on Friday 21 November. Tickets are on sale now.

This morning (NZ time) ISAF announced the 2014 winners of the ISAF Rolex World Sailor Awards. Named as finalists after an amazing year New Zealand’s own Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have missed out on the title which went to Oracle USA helmsman Jimmy Spithill of Australia. Before leaving for the Awards ceremony in Palma de Mallorca, Spain Burling and Tuke spoke about what the nomination meant to them…

A new children’s book from renowned author Tessa Duder is available as a fundraiser for yacht clubs. Out on the Water: Twelve Tales of the Sea is all about kids enjoying sailing and boats in a wide range of settings around New Zealand.

The 2014 ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year Awards will be held in one week's time at a glittering awards ceremony in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

20 – 22 February 2015; Is your school sailing team up for a challenge?

The New Zealand Olympic Committee is honouring the memory of former Chef de Mission and IOC Member Sir Tay Wilson who passed away over Labour Weekend.

For the first time in 10 years, the action-packed 12 foot skiffs will return to Sydney Harbour proper when the acclaimed Australian versus New Zealand 12ft skiff Interdominion Championship, conducted by the 12ft Skiff Association and hosted by the Australian18 Footers League at Double Bay, is held from 3-10 January, 2015.

Harbour Sport has named the finalists for their annual Sport Excellence Awards and in 2014 there are a number of sailors in the mix.

The East Auckland Opti & Starling Series is an inter-club series between Howick Sailing Club, Glendowie Boating Club, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club and Maraetai Sailing Club. Each Club is hosting a leg of the series over the 2014/15 season with the first leg having sailed at Howick Sailing Club last Sunday 19th October.

French Bay Yacht Club is thriving and the club is currently taking registrations for an up-coming Adult dinghy Learn-to-Sail course.

For all those that attended the Commodore’s Conference held in June this year you may recall I gave a small presentation on the great work that a small group of guys and girls are doing at the North Otago Yacht & Power Boat Club located in the historic town of Oamaru. I am pleased to be able to report that their story continues with the gains they have made in the past couple of seasons giving rise to the need to get a bigger and better rescue/coaching boat.

Want to see some of New Zealand’s top sailing talent in action in the Great Blake Race?

This week in the news was a story about an accident on Dunedin harbour involving a rowing skiff and their coach.

Important information regarding 2015 Prime Minister’s Athlete Scholarships, including the YNZ endorsement guidelines, is now available on the Yachting New Zealand website.

Yachting New Zealand is pleased to welcome Angus Willison to the role of Safety and Technical Officer. Angus has been a Safety Inspector since 2009 after returning from an extended cruise with his young family, and he is an enthusiastic supporter and active participant. In the role of Safety and Technical Officer he is responsible for Safety Inspectors and regulations, safety advice and advocacy.

Here’s a look at the up-coming sailing related events around the country for the next couple of weeks. See the YNZ on-line calendar for full details of these events and those on beyond that.

Race Clinic Round-Up

Last night’s Race Clinic was extremely well attended, and despite the lack of major tactical revelations, there was still a lot of fantastic advice imparted by our five speakers.

At the recent YNZ Annual General Meeting in Christchurch, members voted on a special resolution to change the method of calculating the affiliation levy along with changes to the Constitution to support the change.

If you've ever asked the question 'how do I get into boating' then this event is for you. There are many opportunities to go boating at Westhaven Marina, even if you have no experience, and little budget. You just need to know where to go.