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After a Covid-enforced hiatus, the Yachting New Zealand Club Conference (formerly the Commodores Conference) takes place in Auckland next month. And, as Yachting New Zealand boss David Abercrombie explains in this edition of Regional roundup, it's a valuable opportunity for our club leaders to share ideas and information with others from within and outside the marine community.
As always, our four NZ Community Trust regional development managers also offer a snapshot of what's been happening around the country.
Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie during 2018's Commodores Conference.
Focus on networking as Club Conference nears
Yachting New Zealand’s Club Conference returns next month to its in-person format for the first time in five years - with a new name and a renewed focus on networking and information-sharing.
The biennial event previously known as the Commodores Conference was held virtually in 2020 – with Covid-19 forcing it to move to a series of webinars.
This year’s conference will take place at the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club on Saturday, May 27 and is free to yacht club commodores from across New Zealand.
“We are delighted to be able to bring together our club leaders again after several years of Covid-19 disruption. The conference is a valuable and informative event and an excellent opportunity to connect with other leaders, share knowledge and information, plan, and network,” said Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie.
Among the highlights planned for the 2023 edition, will be guest speakers sharing their knowledge on areas including gaming and grant funding, Societies Act changes, safeguarding and safety, advocating for recreational boating, and Yachting New Zealand’s RŪNĀ schools programme.
There will also be a facilitated Q&A session with Yachting New Zealand board and leadership team members to answer questions from clubs.
“Feedback from previous conferences has been around the value of networking and being able to share ideas and experiences with the others in the room and this year we will allow ample time for sharing and networking,” Abercrombie said.
“Once again, to encourage and support more young leaders, we are inviting clubs to bring a young person who is currently active in a committee or leadership role within the club.”
Clubs wishing to have a young leader attend the conference must apply to do so and state what role the person takes in the club and how the club is supporting them.
There are limited spots available, and this person may also receive a contribution towards travel and accommodation.
For more information on the 2023 Yachting New Zealand Club Conference, contact Angela Jordan on 09 361 4020 or angela@yachtingnz.org.nz.
Richmond Yacht Club rounded out its cruising season with the YachtShare Cruising Rally to Waiheke Island on Saturday, March 25. Photo / Richmond Yacht Club
Richmond's cruisy end to season
Waiheke Island turned it on for Richmond Yacht Club's final cruising event of the year - the YachtShare Cruising Rally on Saturday, March 25 - even if the breeze wouldn't play ball.
Eleven boats sat by the start line waiting for the start gun and some wind, but after neither eventuated were redirected to the alternative start at Northern Leading.
The gun went just after 11am and while a lucky few managed to crawl their way across the line and head off towards Browns Island, others had to make do with an hour-long pre-start swim before deciding to motor.
The course was shortened to finish at Navy Buoy and first across the line was Chain Reaction in the extras division and Manawa in the no-extras category with times of 2:11 and 2:41, respectively.
Cool Change took the honours on handicap, followed by Chain Reaction and Peppermint Planet.
Once anchored in the lovely Te Wharau Bay, a barbeque was set up and a few drinks and conversation began to flow as prizes were awarded.
Members returned to the club after breakfast the following morning in a more pleasant 10-15kn westerly.
Full results here.
The 2023 RS Feva national championships is expected to attract a record number of entries.
Record fleet expected at Feva nationals
The RS Feva fleet is expecting record numbers at this year's national championships hosted by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club on April 29-30 - with complimentary coaching from two-time world champion Simon Cooke.
"Sailors are coming from New Caledonia and the South Island. It is shaping up to be a great regatta and in the spirit of the class should be a lot of fun," said NZ RS Feva Class Association president Shelley Liefting.
Recently the class was invited to participate in the SailGP Inspire series in Lyttelton before the F50s did battle on the water. As a result, 32 crews had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race centre stage and rub shoulders with some of the best in the world.
For more information and to enter, click here.
Register now for coaching course
There are still a few spots available for the Learn to Sail (Dinghy) Coach Course at Nelson Yacht Club later this month.
According to Yachting New Zealand's coach development manager Kirsten Moratz, the course is a "great first step on your coaching journey".
"It's the perfect way to finish off the season - to learn the basics of coaching from an experienced coach developer," Moratz said.
"Whether you are a sailor, a parent, or a volunteer looking to upskill and give back to the sailing community, this is the course for you."
The course runs from April 29-30 at the club.
For more information and to register, click here.
Macandrew Bay Boating Club celebrated their 100th anniversary at the start of April. Photo / Macandrew Bay Boating Club
Century for Macandrew Bay
Macandrew Bay Boating Club recently celebrated their 100th anniversary with a day out on the water and an anniversary dinner.
The club held its Centenary Regatta on Saturday, April 1 - with boats including O'pen Skiffs, RS Fevas, Sunbursts, trailer yachts and the once highly popular Z-Class.
Otago Harbour put on a day to remember for the centenary celebration with bright sunshine and medium to fresh northwesterly breeze ensuring three races sailed across classes by competitors between the ages of 5 and 80.
Commodore Ross Whitburn described the celebrations as "fantastic" with old and new members getting together to share stories and memories at a formal dinner after sailing.
According to Whitburn, the club - which has a membership of 140 - is in a strong position.
This is evidenced by its formal coaching and training programme, the relatively recent upgrade of club-owned boats to a modern fleet, the acquisition of new rescue boats, the upgrading of the club rooms and the implementation of a MOSS system.
Christ's College on top in south
Christ’s College claimed the title at the Top of the South Regionals, hosted by Queen Charlotte Yacht Club in Picton earlier this month.
The Christchurch school came out on top following three days battling it out with 12 other teams from Nelson, Marlborough and the Garden City.
They saw off stern challenges from Christchurch Boys’ High School and Nelson’s Nayland College – with the Christchurch Girls’ combo crew the top female team.
Full results here.
Waimakariri Sailing Club's Cadence Grindley-Jones took out the Starling fleet at the 2023 North Canterbury junior championships. Photo / Waimakariri Sailing Club
North Canterbury junior champs crowned
Twenty sailors competed against each other - and tricky conditions - in four different classes at the 2023 North Canterbury junior championships, hosted by Waimakariri Sailing Club last weekend.
Gusts of over 13kn made sailing challenging for the young yachties - many of who had never competed in a regatta before.
Sophie Boorsboom took out the ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7) title, with Cadence Grindley-Jones (Starling), Cate Ambury (Firebug) and Lexi Grindley-Jones (Optimist) also crowned champions.
Karl Purdie won the 2023 New Zealand Finn class national championships at Plimmerton Boating Club. Photo / Plimmerton Boating Club
Purdie goes one better at 2023 Finn nationals
Local sailor Karl Purdie dominated the 2023 New Zealand Finn class national championships at Plimmerton Boating Club last weekend – winning five of eight races.
Purdie finished six points clear of Queen Charlotte Yacht Club’s Chris Goodyear, to go one better than his silver at last year’s event at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland.
Another Plimmerton sailor Ray Hall finished third in the nine-boat fleet.
Results and standings from the 2023 New Zealand Finn national championships hosted by Plimmerton Boating Club:
1st: Karl Purdie (Plimmerton Boating Club) 1 1 4 (10 OCS) 1 1 1 2 - 11 points
2nd: Chris Goodyear (Wueen Charlotte Yacht Club) (5) 3 1 2 3 4 3 1 - 17 pts
3rd: Ray Hall (Plimmerton Boating Club) 2 (5) 3 5 4 3 2 3 - 22 pts
Full results here.
