Issue date
While winter may have slowed the sailing, there's been plenty happening across the country - including two exciting new additions to our NZCT regional development programme.
Ingrid Harder has joined Yachting New Zealand as regional development, governance and advocacy manager.
Armstrong, Harder to help strengthen clubs
Jenny Armstrong and Ingrid Harder have joined Yachting New Zealand's member services team following a recent overhaul of the regional development manager (RDM) programme.
The revamp was prompted by club feedback, including from last year's annual club survey, which highlighted a growing demand for more targeted support in key areas such as coaching, sustainability and inclusion, governance and advocacy, and safety and compliance.
"We've restructured the RDM programme into four revised roles, each with a dedicated focus, while still retaining the regional connections and on-the-ground support that clubs told us they value," said Raynor Haagh, Yachting New Zealand's interim chief executive.
"We're thrilled to welcome Jenny and Ingrid to the team. Both are well-known within the sailing community and will make a strong, positive impact in supporting and strengthening clubs across the country."
Armstrong (pictured top) has been appointed regional development and coaching manager and will be the key point of contact for clubs in the South Island. She will support and upskill clubs nationally in areas such as running learn-to-sail and youth programmes, developing club racing templates, and consulting with national class associations.
A three-time Olympian, Armstrong won gold at the Sydney 2000 Games and is based in Dunedin.
"Since 2019, Jenny has led Yachting New Zealand's women's sailing programme and will continue to contribute to the high performance team in a coaching capacity," Haagh said. "She will also remain the programme lead for the 420 class."
Harder joins as regional development, governance and advocacy manager, supporting affiliated clubs in the central North Island from her base in Wellington. A passionate sailor since her teens, Harder has been part of the Wellington sailing community since 2008 and is currently commodore of the Lowry Bay Yacht Club.
She will take over in the central North Island from Wayne Holdt, who retires in August following several years in the role.
"Ingrid brings a wealth of experience from senior public sector roles, specialising in strategy, governance, communications and stakeholder engagement," Haagh said. "Over the past three years she's worked as a management consultant in New Zealand and Canada, helping boards and leadership teams tackle challenges and develop practical solutions.
"In her new role, Ingrid will assist clubs in facility management, advocacy with councils and partners, and supporting clubs with governance and leadership."
Recruitment is ongoing for the two Auckland-based roles: regional development, safety and compliance manager; and regional development, sustainability and inclusion manager.
To learn more about these roles and to apply, click here.
Coaching courses to upskill this winter
Winter is an ideal time for clubs to upskill their people, and Yachting New Zealand is offering a range of online and in-person learning opportunities to support that.
A four-week online Learn to Sail coach course will run from 6-8pm on Thursdays from July 24 to August 14, with a second intake at the same time every Tuesday between August 26 and September 16.
"The online courses are ideally for those who can't attend an in-person course in their region and, if possible, we recommend attending one face-to-face," said Yachting New Zealand coach development manager Kirsten Moratz.
In-person courses will take place around the country in August and September, including at Torbay Sailing Club (August 2-3), Howick Sailing Club (August 16-17), Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club (August 23-24), Christchurch Yacht Club (August 30-31), Manly Sailing Club (September 6-7), Hamilton Yacht Club (September 13-14), and Nelson Yacht Club (September 20-21).
There are also two free national race officer seminars taking place in the coming months - at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on August 16-17, and Pleasant Point Yacht Club on September 6-7. The seminars are for anyone looking to learn more about being a race officer and all are welcome.
"This year for the first time we are also bringing judges, umpires, and race officials together for a combined race management conference at Milford Cruising Club on August 30," Moratz said.
"There's also an online club race officer course that is available at any time and several upcoming in-person club judge courses where you can learn how to run a protest and dive deeper into the Racing Rules of Sailing."
The club judge courses will be on the course calendar within the next week. If you have any questions, you can email Moratz at kirsten@yachtingnz.org.nz.
Click here for more information and to register.
Marama is now fully electric and solar-powered following a two-year-long refurbishment. Photo / Kohimarama Yacht Club
Committee boat signals new era for Kohi
After two years of restoration, Kohimarama Yacht Club has relaunched Marama, its iconic committee boat - now fully electric and solar-powered.
First launched in 1978, Marama has been central to the club's junior and youth sailing for nearly five decades but the newly refitted vessel is now believed to be the first yacht club committee boat in the world powered entirely by solar energy and a 10kW electric motor.
According to former commodore and one of the project leads, Andy Kensington, the club wanted Marama to reflect both its legacy and its values.
"Sustainability is a huge focus for us, and this upgrade means we're reducing our impact while also future-proofing our operations," he said.
The transformation was driven by dedicated club volunteers and supported by local marine industry partners. These include Burnsco, International, PredictWind, Anzor, Barfoot & Thompson, Ecotricity, Foundation North, OBC Auckland, Osbournes, Evocean, LOM Ocean, ZF, Vesconite, adhesivetech, trudesign, Southern Spars, and The Board Shop.
The revamped Marama returned to the water off the Royal Akarana Yacht Club last month, where she was put through her paces during sea trials. KYC now hopes the project will inspire other clubs to think differently about their own future on the water.
Dr Dave Austin's popular medical course returns to the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in November. Photo / Supplied
Frozen chickens beware - Dr Dave's course is back!
Dr Dave Austin’s offshore medical course returns to Royal Akarana Yacht Club on November 15-16, offering hands-on emergency training for sailors.
The $375 course is Yachting New Zealand and World Sailing accredited, with profits donated to charity.
Click here to register.
Murrays Bay supports Kenzie's Gift
Murrays Bay Sailing Club rallied in support of Kenzie’s Gift yesterday during its annual Winter Challenge, raising funds to help young New Zealanders through grief and tough times. Supported by JB Hi-Fi, proceeds from the event, which saw brave Kiwis take an early-morning dip off Murrays Bay Beach will go towards therapy sessions, care kits and school wellbeing programmes.
The club provided hot showers and drinks for all participants, with organisers describing it as an opportunity to show how sailing clubs can make a difference off the water, too.
Click here to donate.
Back Paddock series kicks off
The 2025 Back Paddock Winter Series is underway at Maraetai Sailing Club, with the next day of racing set for this Sunday (July 6). The series kicked off on June 8 with a mixed fleet of Optimists, J14s and Starlings taking to the water.
The informal series is all about fun and skill-building, with no formal prizes but plenty of support on offer, including coaching by a dedicated club coach. Outside sailors are welcome, and all classes - "even a bathtub with a sheet" - are encouraged to join.
Brown, Hutton top at Intergalactics
Hamish Brown and Greta Hutton claimed top honours at the 2025 Intergalactic P Class Freshwater Championship late last month, hosted at Lake Pupuke by Wakatere Boating Club.
Brown secured overall victory with three wins on the final day, after Lauchy Wills led in light and shifty conditions on day 1. Wills finished second, with Hutton third overall and top girl. Zofia Wells was second girl and fifth overall.
Click here for full results.
Queen Charlotte Yacht Club recently bought three new Yamaha outboards thanks to the support of the Lion Foundation. Photo / Queen Charlotte Yacht Club
New outboards thanks to Lion Foundation
Queen Charlotte Yacht Club are celebrating a grant from the Lion Foundation that enabled the club to purchase three new Yamaha outboards, with motors being installed thanks to volunteers' efforts.
Naval Point Club Lyttelton members during the mid-winter swim. Photo / Naval Point Club Lyttelton
Naval Point members brave chilly swim
Last month, Naval Point Club Lyttelton hosted its annual mid-winter swim, with participants braving cold waters before warming up with hot chocolate and other refreshments. The event took place at 10am on the club's floater, attracting a lively crowd despite chilly conditions.
Recent storms damaged jetties at Timaru Yacht and Powerboat Club. Photo / Timaru Yacht and Powerboat Club
Storm-damaged jetties fixed
After rough seas damaged jetties at Timaru Yacht and Powerboat Club last month, committee members worked hard over the Matariki weekend to make them safe for users.
Marakura hosting Coastguard courses
Marakura Yacht Club is hosting NZ Coastguard courses throughout winter, with two boatmaster courses happening this month - on July 5-6 and again on July 19-20. Contact info@coastguard.nz for details.
