Issue date
Clubs across the country are gearing up as the new sailing season draws near. We’ve got the latest from around New Zealand including a timely reminder about upskilling opportunities before racing gets underway and an update on a push to have a seasonal haul-out facility reinstated.
Ōkahu Bay haul-out bid rejected
The Ōrākei Local Board has turned down a bid to reinstate the seasonal haul-out facility at Ōkahu Bay, despite strong public support and backing from Yachting New Zealand and environmental advocates.
The New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club (NZMYC) had proposed a volunteer-run, community-led operation using existing infrastructure to address marine biosecurity threats, including the spread of invasive species such as fanworm and exotic caulerpa.
At a local council meeting last month, board members acknowledged the proposal’s intent but expressed concerns about the logistics of running such a facility in a high-use public area. The plan would have operated between May and December, complementing existing community activities at the site.
NZMYC Commodore Adrian Percival said the decision was disappointing. "We're grateful for everyone who backed us. We're proud of the plan and the support we had. It's a shame this chance to help the boating community didn't go ahead."
The proposal attracted more than 1,600 submissions during consultation, with 64 per cent in favour. Supporters argued that the lack of central haul-out facilities in Auckland poses a serious biosecurity risk.
More online, in-person training opportunities for race officials
There are still plenty of opportunities to upskill before the new sailing season officially gets underway, with a range of online and in-person learning options on offer.
A four-week online Learn to Sail coach course will run every Thursday from 6-8pm, starting on 28 August and finishing 18 September.
"The online course is ideal for those who can't attend in person, but where possible, we recommend joining a face-to-face course," said Yachting New Zealand coach and race official development manager Kirsten Moratz.
In-person coaching courses will be held across the country in August and September, including at Howick Sailing Club (16-17 August), Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club (23-24 August), Christchurch Yacht Club (30-31 August), Manly Sailing Club (6-7 September), Hamilton Yacht Club (13-14 September), and Nelson Yacht Club (20-21 September).
Two free national race officer seminars are also on offer - at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (16-17 August) and Pleasant Point Yacht Club (6-7 September).
"These seminars are open to anyone interested in learning more about race officiating and are welcome," Moratz said. "For the first time, we're also bringing judges, umpires and race officials together for a combined race management conference, which will take place at Milford Cruising Club on 30 August."
An online club race officer course is available anytime, and several in-person club judge courses - covering protests and the Racing Rules of Sailing - has been added to the online course calendar.
For more information or to register, click here. You can also email Moratz at kirsten@yachtingnz.org.nz.
Register now for Women's Day Out
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's popular Women’s Day Out returns on 23 August 2025, proudly supported by Barfoot & Thompson.
Open to women of all experience levels, it's a chance to get out on the water, build confidence, and connect with others in a fun, supportive environment.
You don’t need to own a boat or be part of a crew - everything can be arranged for you.
Register here to secure your spot.
More than 160 sailors competed at Murrays Bay Sailing Club. Photo / Murrays Bay Sailing Club
Big turnout as Winter Sprints reach halfway mark
We're over halfway through the Auckland Junior Winter Sprint Series, following a big weekend at Murrays Bay Sailing Club that saw 165 sailors compete across five classes.
Winners included Bella Jenkins and Jess Handley (29er), Elizabeth Renall and Freddie Fyfe (Optimist green fleet), Jeffrey Du and Holly Robson (Optimist open fleet), Lewis Snape and Flora Stevens (P Class), Blake McKinnon and Phoebe Willis (Starling), and Hugo Davies with Alex Somerville (RS Feva).
Four of the seven regattas have now been completed, with Kohimarama Yacht Club hosting the next event on 16 August. The series wraps up on 13 September with the Icebreaker regatta at Murrays Bay.
Link to full results here.
Sunbursts back at Wakatere
The Sunburst national championships will return to Wakatere Boating Club early next year, with racing in both the Brooke (spinnaker) and Taihoa (non-spinnaker) fleets. The regatta will be sailed from 16 to 18 January 2026, with prizes including the prestigious Wilson & Horton Cup for line honours and the Muritai One Ton Cup for the top crew with a combined age of 100 years or more.
Royal Akarana Yacht Club will have four teams at the Flying Fifteen world championships in the UK. Photo / Royal Akarana Yacht Club
Fifteens flying to world champs
Four Flying Fifteen teams from the Royal Akarana Yacht Club will compete at the 2025 Flying Fifteen world championship in Weymouth, UK, from 10-21 August.
Representing RAYC are Sally Garrett with Neil Easton, Jenny Price with Alana Pooley, Sarah Reynolds with Peter Macartney, and Dave McIntyre with Canadian sailor Jill Oakes.
Dr Dave Austin's popular medical course returns to the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in November. Photo / Supplied
Places available for Dr Dave's offshore medical course
There are still spots available for Dr Dave Austin's acclaimed offshore medical course, returning to the Royal Akarana Yacht Club on 15-16 November.
Fully accredited and hands-on, the course has been running for over a decade and covers everything from CPR to trauma care, and suits both cruisers and racers.
The cost is $375, with all profits going to a yachting charity.
For more information or to register, email sally@expeditioncoppelia.com or click here.
The Travellers Series' Whitianga event saw some tight racing. Photo / Helen Hart
R+R triumphs in dramatic Traveller Series showdown
A competitive fleet lined up for the third Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series regatta at Mercury Bay Boating Club in Whitianga on July 26-27.
Strong performances from R+R saw them take out the win, ahead of Slam Dunk and Bloodline. A mix of tight racing, gear failures and dramatic comebacks added to the weekend's excitement. The next event is set for Opua on 13-14 September.
Full results here.
The annual Wine Race is one of Waikawa Boating Club's signature events. Photo / Waikawa Boating Club
Wine race back in 2026
Save the date - Saturday 31 January 2026 - for one of Waikawa Boating Club's flagship events: the WineWorks Marlborough Yacht Race.
Inspired by the annual Beaujolais Nouveau run from France to the UK, this unique race began in 2001 as a dash from Picton to Wellington to deliver the first bottles of Marlborough's new vintage to the capital. In recent years, the course has shifted to Resolution Bay, where yachts now race with wine onboard from local wineries, vying to be the first across the line - or to take out the win on handicap.
Entries will open soon.
Nelson gives South Island wings
Nelson Yacht Club will host the South Island's first wingfoil regatta - the Foil Drive Wingfoil Regatta Nelson - from 6-8 March 2026.
The event includes an invitational race on Friday and two days of racing (for race and social fleets), ahead of the national championships in Wellington the following weekend.
International and local riders are encouraged to stay on post-event to explore the region before crossing the Cook Strait.
For more information, email manager@nelsonyachtclub.org.nz.
Naval Point Club Lyttelton's first Adult Learn to Sail programme featured six participants. Photo / Naval Point Club Lyttelton
First for Naval Point Club Lyttelton
Naval Point Club Lyttelton has just wrapped up its first-ever Adult Learn to Sail programme, with six new sailors taking to the water for the first of three sessions.
The group was supported by skilled coaches and volunteers, with the programme made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from Oborn's Nautical, Urban Road and Mr Boats (Christchurch).
Working bee at Charteris Bay
Charteris Bay Yacht Club is holding a working bee this Sunday from 10am-1pm, focusing on vegetation control and a general tidy-up.
Members are asked to bring gloves, ear protection and garden tools. Community members keen on free mulch delivery afterwards can get in touch with the club.
