Regional roundup: Winter coaching and race official courses open

In today’s roundup, our NZCT regional development managers highlight some of the many exciting things happening around the country over the past month, and share details of available coach and race official courses to upskill in preparation for next season.

Winter means time to upskill as coach, race official

Clubs across the country are preparing for the winter months, which provide an ideal opportunity for upskilling before the new sailing season. Two Start Coaching courses will be held in Auckland over the next few months: at Murrays Bay Sailing Club on 16–17 May, and at Royal Akarana Yacht Club on 20–21 June. The cost for each course is $155, and registration is available here.

All coaches attending an in-person course must complete the online module “Coaching Yachting 101” in advance.

For officials seeking to develop their skills, free online courses remain available at any time, including Club Teams Umpires, Introduction to Race Officiating, Club Race Officer, and Vital Rules of Sailing. 

Keelboat coach courses are scheduled on a needs-only basis. Anyone interested in becoming a keelboat coach should contact Yachting New Zealand’s Coach Development Manager at coach@yachtingnz.org.nz.

RŪNĀ clubs - submit your season data now!

RŪNĀ clubs around New Zealand are being reminded to submit their season data to Yachting New Zealand to support ongoing programme reporting and development. 

Alisa Torgersen, education lead at Yachting New Zealand, thanked participating clubs for their commitment to introducing sailing to students. “All 20 participating clubs have put in a lot of time and effort into delivering the RŪNĀ schools sailing programme over the past season,” she said, adding that the organisation hopes the programme has helped generate new members through positive student experiences.

Clubs are also seeking coaches for next season’s programme, with opportunities for those available on weekdays between 9am and 3pm. Interested coaches are encouraged to get in touch and to send season data to alisa@yachtingnz.org.nz.

Affiliated clubs complete incorporation re-registration

All affiliated yacht clubs across New Zealand have successfully re-registered as incorporated societies under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, meeting the 5 April 2026 deadline and avoiding any risk of disaffiliation. 

According to Ingrid Harder, Yachting New Zealand's regional development, governance and advocacy manager, 106 clubs and all but two class associations have now completed the process. “This has been a major piece of work across the sailing community, and we’re incredibly grateful to all clubs and class associations for getting this over the line,” Harder said. “It reflects a strong commitment to good governance and the long-term sustainability of our sport.”

Under the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022, all incorporated societies were required to introduce updated governance standards, clearer officer duties, and revised constitutional requirements. The changes are designed to strengthen accountability and modernise how organisations operate across New Zealand’s sporting and community sectors.

The PredictWind Girls Regatta delivered another strong turnout. Photo / Live Sail Die

PredictWind Girls Regatta continues strong growth

The PredictWind Girls Regatta continues to be a highlight on the annual sailing calendar, with the event going from strength to strength. Held at Kohimarama Yacht Club on 21–22 March, this year’s regatta featured 129 sailors across nine fleets over two days. 

Standout results included Oak Galbraith (Christchurch Yacht Club) winning the Starling Open fleet, while Libby Briscoe (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) took out Starling Development. Mei Whitehead (Napier Sailing Club) won the O’pen Skiff, and Optimist fleet winners were Aurora Edhouse (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) in Open, Corinne Woolsey (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club) in White, and Isabel Ma (Charteris Bay Yacht Club) in Green.

In other classes, Bella Jenkins and Jess Handley (Kohimarama Yacht Club) claimed victory in the 29er, Kiera Dimock (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) won the ILCA fleet, and Holly and Stella Robson (Kohimarama Yacht Club) took out the RS Feva title.

Gulf Harbour Yacht Club hosted the 2026 Women on Water Weekend. Photo / Live Sail Die

Sailors take on challenging conditions at WOWW

Hosted by Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, the Anita Dobson & Co Women on Water Weekend delivered two days of challenging and high-energy racing in mid-March, with strong south-westerly winds gusting up to 26 knots pushing crews to their limits.

Day one featured fiesty and spicy conditions, with competitors taking on testing seas but showing resilience throughout the racing. Day two proved similarly demanding despite a calmer forecast, with organisers praising the determination of the female sailors who travelled from near and far to take part and share their passion for the sport.

In the results, Division A (Spinnaker) was won by Lidgard 35 C McGuire after four completed races. In Division B (Non-Spinnaker), Sweet Chariot took the win ahead of Satisfaction 2, while Division C (Harbour Course) saw Enigma 11 claim victory after winning two of the four races.

Three Kings Offshore Yacht Race returns

The Three Kings Offshore Yacht Race is back for 2026, returning one of New Zealand’s most demanding offshore sailing challenges to the annual racing calendar. The 500-nautical-mile Category 2 race starts in Auckland in front of Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, taking crews north past Cape Reinga, around the Three Kings Islands, and back to Auckland in a true test of skill, strategy, and seaworthiness. The event offers both fully crewed and two-handed divisions and is open to members of any yacht club, often serving as a key qualifier for major offshore events such as the Round New Caledonia and Sydney Hobart races.

Interest is building ahead of the 16 April start, with eight entries now confirmed. Among them are Carpe Diem and Higher Ground, both fresh from the Doyle Sails Round North Island, alongside returning campaigner Mr Kite II, which competed in 2024, and Flyer, which is aiming for a strong performance.

James Hayhoe, James Hopkins, Michael King, Katina Casimaty, and Jemma Hopkins led the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron to victory. Photo / Live Sail Die

First win for Aussie club at Youth Match Racing Cup

Waikawa Boating Club is inviting applications for two key roles as it looks to strengthen its operations and support future growth in the Marlborough Sounds boating community. With more than 600 members, the club is seeking either two part-time professionals or one “all-rounder” to combine both positions into a full-time role.

The club's development manager role will focus on membership engagement, sponsorship, venue hire, and event promotion, helping drive the club’s profile and community connection. The administration manager will oversee finance, reporting, compliance, governance support, and day-to-day operational systems, including oversight of the club’s bar and restaurant operations. Together, the roles total approximately 40 hours per week and can be tailored to suit the successful applicant.

Based at the club’s Waikawa clubhouse, the positions offer flexibility, a strong community focus, and the opportunity to work closely with the commodore and committee. 

Interested applicants can contact Ian Gardiner, vice-commodore of Waikawa Boating Club, at igardiner.gm@gmail.com or 02102939182.

Gauthier Thomas was farewelled as Wakatere Boating Club's head coach. Photo / Supplied

Wanted: Head coach for Wakatere after Thomas departs

Further north, Wakatere Boating Club is seeking expressions of interest for a new head coach role following a special farewell to outgoing coach Gauthier Thomas, who has made a significant impact over the past two years. The club, one of New Zealand’s leading dinghy and foiling sailing clubs, is now looking ahead to its next chapter of coaching leadership.

The new head coach will be responsible for leading the planning and coordination of coaching programmes across all levels, including junior, youth, and senior sailors. The role requires strong coaching experience, excellent communication and organisational skills, and a passion for working within a friendly, family-oriented club environment. 

Expressions of interest are now open, with a flexible start date from August 2026. Applications can be sent to vice-commodore Mat Dunne at vicecommodore@wakatere.org.nz.

The announcement follows an emotional send-off for Thomas at the club, where members gathered despite strong winds to celebrate his contribution. The evening included speeches, a thank-you video from Optimist sailors, and plenty of goodwill as the club reflected on his legacy and wished him well for his next coaching role in Hong Kong.

Flinn Olson finished second under-19 at the Waszp Games. Photo / Down Under Sail

Olson impresses at Waszp world champs

Auckland sailor Flinn Olson is emerging as one of New Zealand’s most promising young foiling talents, with a standout performance at the Waszp Games in Pensacola. The 18-year-old finished second in the under-19 division and 12th overall in a highly competitive fleet, delivering top-10 race results in half of the 18-race series, including a best finish of fifth.

Racing for Murrays Bay Sailing Club, Olson’s strong championship showing follows a consistent run of form, including seventh at the All Stars Invitational and eighth at the pre-worlds regatta.