Sailors and spectators are invited to mark their diaries now for one of the world's oldest sailing regattas, incorporating events for all types of yachts big and small, dragon boats, tugboats remote controlled yachts, and more. Harking back to the days when sailing was a true national sport, Auckland Anniversary Regatta is a spectacle of a birthday present for a city that is encircled by water.

In just five days Melbourne will welcome the Olympic sailing world for the first ISAF Sailing World Cup regatta of the 2012-2013 series. The 49erFX will be seen on the world stage for the first time at a major international regatta and with seven entries, five from Australia, one from Norway and one from New Zealand, it marks the start of the road to Rio.

Royal Perth Yacht Club is seeking a coach/instructor to undertake a leading role in its Sail Training programme. The successful applicant would be competent in the areas of both Dinghy and Keelboat learn to sail instruction.

REGATTA RAMBLINGS    Issue #4: November 2012

www.bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz
January 23 -24 - 25, 2013

The Sir Peter Blake Regatta at Torbay Sailing Club pays tribute to the legacy of a great New Zealander on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of December this year. Held off Waiake Beach, Torbay since 2002, this regatta has grown to be a major event on the small boat sailing calendar and around 400 sailors are expected to participate in the 2012 edition this coming weekend.

Olympic Gold Medal sailors Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie presented a Yachting New Zealand Service Award to Heretaunga Boating Club sailor John Greenfield last Saturday during a Wellington visit. John Greenfield, still an active sailor, has been Treasurer at Heretaunga Boating Club for over 30 years, a Learn to Sail instructor for eight years and is still using his engineering expertise to supervise and undertake building work and maintenance at the club.

With summer kicking in and a lot more people getting out on the water it is timely to remind boaties to keep an eye on others out on the water. For those of you yacht racing, remember “Rule 1.1 Helping Those in Danger – A boat or competitor shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger” This is also a good rule for anyone else out on the water, cruising, fishing or otherwise if you see someone in danger, stop, see if you can provide any assistance and contact Coastguard on *500 from your mobile phone. Report all serious incidents requiring assistance on VHF Channel 16.

Orbit Corporate Travel Sailor of the Year for 2012 has been awarded to Olympic golden girls Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie, while their coach, Nathan Handley has been named 2012 Singapore Airlines Coach/Official of the Year. These and other Awards were presented at yachting’s annual celebration, the 2012 Yachting Excellence Awards where a crowd of around 300 packed out the waterfront venue at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron tonight (Friday evening).

Sailability Auckland presents a FREE opportunity for people with a disability to experience sailing regardless of ability. Come prepared for the weather, you may need a splash-proof jacket or even some sun screen (we hope), everything else will be provided.

Saturday November 10th brought perfect sailing conditions to Lake Rotorua for Sailability Rotorua's 'try sailing' open day at the Rotorua Yacht Club. Fourteen new sailors took to the water, helped by the club's more seasoned sailors of all ages and ability.