Issue date
There's been plenty happening at sailing clubs across the country. Here, our NZCT regional development managers bring you a selection of some of these events.
Hundreds of students from Northcote Intermediate School experienced Yachting New Zealand's RŪNĀ education programme on the water and on shore. Photo / Wakatere Boating Club
RŪNĀ momentum 'amazing to see'
Wakatere Boating Club has wrapped up a hugely successful first season delivering the RŪNĀ sailing experience, with more than 400 students taking part, including over 300 students in just four days at the end of school term 1.
The club’s largest activation saw Northcote Intermediate School run all of its Year 7 classes through the programme as part of their Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) week.
Across those four days, three classes per day rotated through the full RŪNĀ experience, which combines onshore learning modules - Kōkōkaha and Kōrinorino - with a hands-on sailing session. The structure allowed the entire year level to participate in a short, intensive period, and was supported by a dedicated team including coaches from WBC and Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club, which also lent two RS Quests for the occasion.
The learning extended well beyond the water. Back at school, teachers continued with RŪNĀ’s online modules, BLAKE VR headsets, and additional EOTC content.
"It’s been amazing to see schools embrace the full potential of RŪNĀ," said Alisa Torgersen, Yachting New Zealand’s education lead. "The way Northcote Intermediate integrated the classroom, onshore, and on-water experiences was a perfect example of how the programme can be tailored to fit a school’s learning journey."
A total of 412 kids participated in the programme at Wakatere Boating Club this season. Photo / Wakatere Boating Club
In total, 412 students from four schools took part in RŪNĀ at Wakatere Boating Club this season, with encouraging feedback from teachers.
"Teachers are telling us they’re just as keen to get out on the water as the kids," Torgersen said. "That’s why Wakatere is planning a teacher RŪNĀ day in Term 3 - so educators can experience sailing themselves and better understand how the programme works from all angles."
Wakatere Boating Club joins a growing number of clubs adopting the RŪNĀ model. Ponsonby Cruising Club, Mangawhai Sailing Trust, and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron have all come on board this year, with trial programmes also run at Maraetai Sailing Club, Waiuku Yacht Club, and Bluff Yacht Club.
"We’re seeing real momentum with RŪNĀ," Torgersen added. "Clubs are recognising the value of connecting young people with sailing in a meaningful, accessible way. If your club is interested in being part of the programme next season, we’d love to hear from you."
To find out more, email Torgersen at alisa@yachtingnz.org.nz.
NZIODA development teams named
Twelve young Optimist sailors have been selected to compete at the Lake Mac Youth Sail NSW 2025 championship in Lake Macquarie, Australia, in October.
The New Zealand International Optimist Dinghy Association (NZIODA) junior boys development team includes Noah Peterson (Wakatere Boating Club), Leo Wills (Howick Sailing Club), Kester Holmes (Worser Bay Boating Club), Marcus Daum (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club), Zac Loader (Napier Sailing Club), and Hudson Halla (Kohimarama Yacht Club), and will be accompanied by coach Rowan Kensington. The girls team features Milla Holland (Wakatere Boating Club), Ally Burfoot (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club), Aurora Edhouse (Murrays Bay Sailing Club), Annika Wells (Glendowie Boating Club), Elsa Daum (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club), and Vienna Campbell (Wakatere Boating Club), with Naiomi Ferrissey the coach.
Both teams will be accompanied by their parents and a team leader.
Blue Dude took out the racing and PHRF divisions. Photo / Jacob Fewtrell Media
Blue Dude top in bumpy Whangaroa Race
Sailors braved bumpy conditions for the annual Whangaroa Race 2025, held over the final weekend of April and hosted by the Bay of Islands Yacht Club. The event drew a strong fleet of competitors across multiple classes, with tight racing despite the weather.
In the racing and PHRF divisions, Blue Dude dominated both categories, followed closely by Physical Favors and Blackout. The cruising division saw Kai Pai take first, while also clinching the multihull title. Smoko earned recognition as the best-raced yacht.
Full results here.
Nine boats joined the first RS Quest Rally at the weekend. Photo / Takapuna Boating Club
First RS Quest Rally a big hit
Nine RS Quests set off from Takapuna Boating Club on Sunday, May 4, for New Zealand’s first inter-club rally of the class, enjoying pristine conditions for the destination sail.
The fleet cruised to Cheltenham Beach, where sailors from several clubs gathered for a relaxed barbecue lunch hosted by club leadership, before an easy return sail to Takapuna.
With strong turnout and sunny skies, participants are keen to make this friendly rally an annual tradition.
Motamouse in action off Milford Beach. Photo / Supplied
Motamouse on the double at two-handed intergalactics
Thirteen Pied Pipers launched from Milford Creek last weekend for the annual two-handed intergalactics, braving blustery conditions off Milford Beach. Motamouse successfully defended their 2024 title, but not without pressure from Animal House, which finished just one point behind after claiming two race wins. Yosemite Sam started strong with a win in race 1 but dropped out of contention after an OCS in the final race.
“The two-handed format is always a challenge, but the fleet handled it brilliantly,” said Pied Piper class president Brad Brown.
Despite a few bumps and bruises to some of the 50-year-old boats, all competitors made it back safely to Milford Cruising Club for a lively prizegiving and some well-earned refreshments.
"As always, a big thanks to all of our volunteers who make this racing happen. We can't do it without you," Brown said. "Special mentions to Megan Kensington, Lexi Harrison, Sam Hulston, Raoul Harrison and his start boat crew!"
Strong Feva fleet for nationals
Murrays Bay Sailing Club is hosting the RS Feva national championships this weekend, with entry numbers already topping 40 - and more expected to roll in.
The event promises exciting racing for young sailors and a vibrant social atmosphere for families onshore.
Billed as an ideal launchpad for aspiring champions, the double-handed event encourages newcomers to “take your first step” into competitive sailing.
Register here.
The 2025 Zespri AIMS Games sailing competition will again be held at Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club. Photo / Zespri AIMS Games
AIMS Games: Call for entries
Entries are now open for the 2025 Zespri AIMS Games, Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, and Year 7 and 8 Optimist sailors are encouraged to get involved. The sailing competition will run from 30 August to 2 September at Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club, with boat checks, briefings, racing, and prizegiving across four exciting days.
Students must register through their school’s sports office by mid-May, so make sure your school knows you’re keen. The $80 entry fee covers the sailing event, and participants can also enter other sports.
For full details, click here.
Waikawa Boating Club was honoured with a top environmental award. Photo / Supplied
Waikawa Boating Club gets top environmental gong
Waikawa Boating Club has taken top honours in the marine category at the 2025 Marlborough Environment Awards, a recognition that left the club "thrilled and very humbled". Competing against a strong field of finalists, the club stood out for its dedication to sustainability in the Marlborough Sounds.
With over 700 members, Waikawa is the largest boating club in the South Island and has embraced its role as a steward of the local marine environment. Since joining Yachting New Zealand’s Clean Club programme in 2023, the club has launched several impactful initiatives, ranging from installing solar panels to organising regular beach clean-ups, earning it a three-star Clean Club rating.
The judges praised the club's collective commitment to behavioural change, highlighting the pride members take in transitioning to greener boating practices and reducing their environmental footprint both onshore and at sea.
Christchurch Yacht Club had its roof replaced in a day. Photo / Itch
Big facelift for ChCh club
One of New Zealand’s oldest yacht clubs received a major upgrade last month as Christchurch Yacht Club had its roof replaced in just one day, thanks to a community-driven promotion by The Breeze Canterbury 94.5FM.
The club, founded in 1891, won the opportunity as part of a campaign to support local organisations making a difference.
The re-roofing project was made possible through the generous support of several companies, led by Graham Hill Roofing Ltd.
Members who came by to watch the transformation remarked that the club now looks just like it did in the 1970s, when the roof was last painted. The restoration marks not only a physical renewal but also a celebration of the club’s long-standing role in the community, especially its work helping local children build confidence on the water.
Four Flying Fifteens are headed to the world championships in the UK. Photo / Flying Fifteen New Zealand
2026 FF nationals host confirmed
The 2026 Flying Fifteen New Zealand national championships will be hosted by Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club, in conjunction with the NZ 420 national championships. Exact dates will be confirmed soon, but the combined regatta will take place in March and promises a high-energy event on Wellington’s iconic harbour.
Meanwhile, four New Zealand Flying Fifteens have been packed and shipped off to compete at the 2025 Flying Fifteen world championships in Weymouth, UK. The event, set for August 10-21 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, marks the first time since 2011 the worlds have been held in the UK.
Naval Point Club Lyttelton hosted the NZ Search and Rescue Search and Rescue Exercises. Photo / Naval Point Club Lyttelton
NPCL hosts emergency agencies
Naval Point Club Lyttelton was a hub of activity late last month as it hosted the NZ Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX), bringing together multiple emergency response agencies for a weekend of intensive training.
Volunteers filled the club to support personnel from Surf Life Saving, St John, Coastguard, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and Taskforce Kiwi.
The joint exercises focused on improving coordination in planning, monitoring, evaluating, and debriefing major marine and land-based rescue operations.
