Issue date
Our NZ Community Trust regional development managers take a look at what has been happening in their areas and share useful information about how race officers and coaches can upskill before the start of the new season.
Registration is open for Yachting New Zealand's national race officer training seminars.
Book your spot for free race officer training, conference
Time is running out to register for the first of two Yachting New Zealand national race officer training seminars.
Registration is open for this free event that is designed to enhance your skills and knowledge in race management, ensuring a successful and enjoyable upcoming season.
The first seminar takes place at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club in Auckland on July 22-23, followed by another seminar at Christchurch’s Pleasant Point Yacht Club on August 26-27, 2023.
These two-day events cater to both national race officers seeking qualification renewal and club race officers aspiring to become national race officers in the upcoming season or in the future.
"It's an excellent opportunity to expand your expertise and stay up to date with the latest practices in race management," said Yachting New Zealand national sport development director Raynor Haagh.
Click here to register for the Auckland seminar.
Click here to register for the Christchurch seminar.
There are also still spots available for Yachting New Zealand’s annual race officers conference on September 2, 2023, at Naval Point Club Lyttelton, also in the Garden City.
Register here to secure your place at this one-day conference.
The conference brings together race officers from all levels of experience and serves as a platform to connect, share ideas, and explore innovative approaches to race management.
"We extend our appreciation to the hosting clubs for their invaluable support in facilitating these training seminars and conference," Haagh said.
"Their commitment to training and upskilling local volunteers is commendable, and together we can continue to promote and nurture the sport of sailing."
Yachting New Zealand’s Learn to Sail coaching course is the first step on your coaching journey.
Coaching course dates confirmed
Ready to take the first step on your coaching journey? Then Yachting New Zealand’s Learn to Sail (dinghy) coaching course could be perfect for you.
The entry-level coaching course is ideal for those aged 14 and older and will be offered on the following dates and at these locations:
- August 5-6: New Plymouth Yacht Club
- August 12-13: Christchurch Yacht Club
- August 19-20: Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club and Kerikeri Cruising Club.
- September 9-10: Howick Sailing Club
- September 16-17: Hamilton Yacht Club
- October 6-8: Macandrew Bay Boating Club
- November 3-5: Wanaka Yacht Club
“Whether you are a young sailor looking to give back, a parent eager to learn more, or coordinating the Learn to Sail program at your club, this course is designed to get you started on your coaching journey,” said Yachting New Zealand’s coach development manager Kirsten Moratz.
“With flexible weekend sessions and online modules, it's easy to fit the course into your schedule.”
Anyone wanting to take the course must:
- Complete the Coaching Yachting 101 online modules.
- Complete the Child Safeguarding modules (through the Sport New Zealand catalogue)
- Have intermediate sailing ability.
- Be confident in and around the water.
- Be at least 14 years of age.
To sign up for a Yachting New Zealand Learn to Sail (dinghy) coach course, follow these easy steps:
- Go to sporttutor.nz/yachtingnz and create an account by clicking “Sign Up”. It’s important this is done with your young coach’s email address so they have their own learning account and journey set up.
- Go to the Yachting NZ Course Catalogue, and complete Coaching Yachting 101. It should take no more than an hour or two to complete.
- Sign up for the specific course in your region, you can search the club name in the search bar of the course catalogue to find it.
Repairs to the boat ramp at Murrays Bay Sailing Club has forced the next event in the Auckland junior winter sprint series to be moved.
Change of venue for next winter sprint
The next instalment in the Auckland junior winter sprint series has had a change of venue, with Kohimarama Yacht Club now set to host the event on Saturday, July 29.
It comes as boat ramp and seawall repairs at Murrays Bay Sailing Club, the original host, are not expected to be completed in time.
Both were badly damaged by sea surges more than 30m higher than the usual high-tide mark during Cyclone Gabrielle in February.
Auckland's recent weather has wreaked havoc with the junior winter sprint series so far – with the first event at Royal Akarana Yacht Club hampered by a lack of breeze before the second was cancelled due to storms a fortnight ago.
The series will make its way around Auckland clubs over the winter months with all Optimists (green and open), P-Class, Starling, RS Fevas and O'pen skiffs welcome.
RNZYS announces new event
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron have announced their inaugural Women’s Day Out for Saturday, August 12.
The regatta follows on from the success of other similar events like the Women on Water Weekend, hosted by Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, Waikawa Boating Club's women’s regatta, and the Kohimarama Yacht Club’s girls championship regatta.
According to the organisers, the Women’s Day Out is designed for females of all ages to participate on the water – from sailing novice to experienced yachtie - and is an excellent opportunity to assemble your crew before one of the other women’s events.
More accomplished sailors over the age of 12 will sail on Elliott 7s with a female helm from RNZYS’ Youth Training Programme.
For more information, click here.
Shapeshifter has a comfortable series lead ahead of Rough & Reddy's return. Photo / NZ Elliott 5.9 Class Association
Elliott 5.9 race shaping as grudge match
Mercury Bay Boating Club will host the Elliott 5.9 fleet for the third race in the Harken Traveller Series over Matariki weekend in what is expected to be a grudge match between the two top-ranked Elliott 5.9s in the country.
Rough & Reddy returns to the series after sitting out the opening rounds and all eyes will be on how they fare against Shapeshifter who has built up a sizeable lead.
Earlier this year, Shapeshifter won the national title at Queen Charlotte Yacht Club – snapping Rough & Reddy’s near-decade-long winning streak.
Adding to the anticipation is the fact that Shapeshifter won the last time these two faced off in Whitianga.
While the battle between these two will be intriguing, some of the others in the could mount a challenge, too. Reggae Shark currently sit second overall in the series and Slam Dunk are perennial podium finishers. Zoot Allures, Revelry and Nevis are also proven performers.
For more information on the series, click here.
Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club will again run a Matariki Regatta.
Matariki regattas
After a successful inaugural regatta last year, Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club will again be running their Matariki Regatta over the long weekend.
Friday and Sunday will see round-the-buoys action while Saturday will be the Matariki Classic, with all participants completing a lap course with a time limit. The line honours winner will be the vessel to complete the most laps in the time allowed.
A time correction factor will be applied to all vessels to award an overall champion.
For more information or to enter, click here.
Further north, Wakatere Boating Club will also be hosting its Matariki Regatta on Friday, July 14.
To enter, click here.
Swimmers brace for the plunge...
B-r-r-r-r-ave swimmers take the plunge
The final race of Naval Point Club Lyttelton’s Whisky Galore winter series also meant it was time for the club's annual mid-winter swim – and on Sunday, June 25 around 50 brave souls took the plunge from the floater.
Organisers said a few of the swimmers took their time to make it to the ramp but for most, it was the briefest of dips before they were all greeted with a hot chocolate or a tot of rum to warm up.
“It was great to have so many members of our Lyttelton community come down and support the club for the morning,” club secretary Amanda Norris said.
