A New Zealand team hasn't won the JJ Giltinan regatta since 1974 but four Kiwi crews are keen to change that next week.

Wellington offered up some 'signature' conditions over the three days of the Zephyr national championships and they proved to the local's liking with Greg Wright claiming overall honours.

It's bigger than rugby's Ranfurly Shield and equally impressive and at the end of April the Wihau Shield for P Class sailors will once again be up for grabs.

Greg Wright took out the opening race when the Zephyr national championships got underway at his local club the Worser Bay Boating Club club yesterday.

Phil Williams is back to defend his Zephyr national title. 

Sixteen teams are competing this weekend to take out the New Zealand leg of the Red Bull Foiling Generation and then go on to the world finals in the US.

As many as 3500 people are expected to have a go at sailing with Yachting New Zealand during the Volvo Ocean Race stopover.

A boatmaster course is the logical next step for anyone who has completed a day skipper qualification and is also a great first step for those considering a future in the commercial marine sector.

Entries have been received from Australia, Tahiti, New Caledonia as well as throughout New Zealand for next month's 2018 Toyota Optimist National Championships in Picton.

Thomas and Mason Mulcahy took out the big ones at the recent Interislander Regatta.

Kath Johnson hopes the arrival of the Volvo Sailing... Have a Go! trailer on Friday will spark enough interest in sailing for the sport to get off the ground on Stewart Island.