Regional roundup: New-look coastal safety course returns

It’s been an action-packed month for our NZCT regional development managers around the country, with Yachting New Zealand’s ongoing membership model and affiliation fee structure review roadshow keeping the team busy.

Here’s a look at what Nigel Richards, Hayley Dawe, Jenny Armstrong and Ingrid Harder have been up to across their regions. You can also find out more about the full suite of member services offered by Yachting New Zealand, including the work our RDMs do to support clubs, by clicking here.

The presentation covers five key areas, with topics including safety culture and crew responsibilities. Photo / Live Sail Die

Revamped coastal personal safety course is back

Yachting New Zealand’s revised Coastal Personal Safety course has made its return, with the first session delivered to an audience at Weiti Boating Club on Friday 28 August.

Led by Regional Development and Safety Manager Nigel Richards, the interactive two-and-a-half-hour presentation is designed to help skippers and crew prepare themselves and their boats for a safe and successful season, whether racing, exploring New Zealand’s remote anchorages or heading further afield.

The presentation covers five key areas: People, Equipment, Help!, Overboard and Emergency. Topics include safety culture and crew responsibilities, boat briefings, essential safety equipment, distress signalling, crew-overboard procedures, cold-water risks, fire, hull damage and medical emergencies.

The Coastal Personal Safety course is available to clubs looking to provide practical safety guidance to their members. Clubs interested in hosting a session can contact Richards at nigel@yachtingnz.org.nz.

Royal Akarana Yacht Club says it will continue to advocate for its members amid the introduction of paid parking by the council. Photo / Live Sail Die

Ōkahu Bay parking changes confirmed

Royal Akarana Yacht Club has expressed its disappointment with Auckland Council's decision to introduce paid parking at The Landing in Ōkahu Bay. Standard vehicles will cost $3 an hour, with car-and-trailer parks $5 and a $22 daily maximum. A 15-minute drop-off period and one 90-minute free session per vehicle each day will remain. The restrictions apply to yacht club members and the public. No firm start date has been announced, while the club continues to advocate for its members and users.

Construction of the main deck of the boatshed started in 2019. Photo / Supplied

Christchurch boatshed project clears big hurdle

Christchurch Yacht Club says its long-delayed boatshed project is set to progress after stalling because of premature corrosion to the main steel structure and ramps. A lengthy negotiation with the original contractors has now been settled, allowing the club to investigate a remediation strategy covering coating repairs, pile protection, structural deficiencies and load testing. The CYC Committee says it is in the final stages of preparing and signing contracts, with visible progress expected soon.

Yachting New Zealand's Jenny Armstrong during the two-day event. Photo / Naval Point Club Lyttelton

Naval Point packs coaching weekend

Naval Point Club Lyttelton has thanked everyone involved in a successful weekend combining a coaching forum, coaching clinic and Yachting New Zealand forum on 29-30 August. Yachting New Zealand Regional Development and Coaching Manager Jenny Armstrong organised the two-day event, with General Manager: Community and Development Raynor Haagh presenting proposed structural changes ahead of the AGM.

Queen Charlotte hosts free ILCA 6 clinic

Yachting New Zealand will run a three-day ILCA 6 clinic at Queen Charlotte Yacht Club from 9-11 October. Primarily aimed at young sailors new to the class, the regional clinic is free of charge and open to all ILCA 6 sailors. Sessions will cover boat-handling, setup, technique and core skills for confident single-handed sailing. Click here to register.

The Burnsco 2026 SKUD 18 International Match Race Challenge brought disabled and able-bodied sailors together in competition. Photo / Supplied

Westhaven honoured for adaptive sailing support

Westhaven Marina has received a certificate of appreciation from Sailability Auckland for supporting the Burnsco 2026 SKUD 18 International Match Race Challenge on Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour. The world-first three-day event brought disabled and able-bodied sailors from New Zealand, Australia and the United States together for high-level match racing. Westhaven says it is proud to have supported the event and helped create more opportunities for people of all abilities to get on the water.

Waikawa Women’s Regatta returns this month

Waikawa Boating Club will host its annual Waikawa Women’s Regatta on 12-13 September from its Queen Charlotte Sound base. One of New Zealand’s biggest women’s keelboat regattas, the event attracts sailors from across the country, including Olympians, national champions and offshore veterans. Racing caters for multiple divisions and all experience levels, with many boats crewed entirely by women. Entries are building ahead of what organisers expect to be another strong weekend on the water. Click here for more information.

Torbay Sailing Club will hold its annual information evening on Monday. Photo / Torbay Sailing Club

Torbay welcomes new sailors at info evening

Torbay Sailing Club is inviting new and returning sailors to its Info Evening at 7pm on Monday, 7 September. The family-friendly club caters for juniors, youths and adults through Learn to Sail programmes, refresher courses and club racing, supported by a strong coaching group. Its location overlooking Waiake Beach makes it an ideal place to enjoy summer sailing, with everyone welcome to attend the evening.

David McIntyre during his visit to Salt Spring Island Sailing Club. Photo / Supplied

Top NZ judge shares expertise in Canada

Royal Akarana Yacht Club International Judge and New Zealand Flying 15 race team member David McIntyre shared his expertise with Salt Spring Island Sailing Club after judging the International 14 World Championships in Ontario recently. Flying by float plane from Vancouver to Ganges Harbour, McIntyre was on the water within an hour, helping members use racing rules to sharpen boat-handling. Sailing was followed by a discussion on rules. Click here to read more about McIntyre.

Entries are now open for the 38th Aviemore Classic. Photo / Supplied

Aviemore Classic entries open for Labour Weekend

Entries are open for the 38th Aviemore Classic, New Zealand’s biggest freshwater trailer yacht regatta, at Lake Aviemore over Labour Weekend. Run by the Timaru Yacht and Power Boat Club, the event has been held since 1989 and attracts competitors from New Zealand and Australia. The three-day programme includes National and South Island championships, the main Classic and the family-friendly Swanny Fun Race, alongside BBQs, entertainment and a strong social atmosphere. Click here to enter.