Auckland's birthday regatta: A guide for spectators

Tug boat racing
Tug boats may not exactly be designed to race, but when they do, they are a spectacular sight. Dozens of tugs, including the biggest, the William C Daldy, built in 1935 will start off North Head at 9am, finishing about 25 minutes later off Devonport Wharf, and will be followed by a parade and fire fighting display in the Viaduct.
 

Have a Go
Stand Up Paddleboarding is a fun, fast growing sport and surprisingly easy in flat water. Newcomers of all ages are welcome to try it out (by gold coin donation) at a fun event organized by Flux Westhaven at St Mary's Bay at Westhaven from 3pm-5pm, followed by fun racing from 5pm-6pm. The Waka Ama team will also be offering sessions from the tidal steps at the Viaduct Harbour during the afternoon. 

Front row seats at Princes Wharf
These boats are the backbone of New Zealand yachting: from classics to modern keelers. Be at the end of at Princes Wharf from 10am-11am to watch the mass starts in all fleet race divisions. 

A classic time
Auckland has the largest fleet of vintage yachts still sailing, anywhere in the world, and many of them are on display at Ports of Auckland Anniversary Regatta, berthed in the Viaduct Basin on Sunday evening, and at Heritage Landing by Silo Marina other times, you will see much loved names like Waitangi, Thelma, Little Jim, Jessie Logan, on the Princes Wharf startline from 10am on Regatta day.

On the brink
The first 18ft Skiff was launched in 1892 and the class is now one of the most spectacular types of sailing boats in the world: think hard, fast racing with maximum sail area of 115 square metres, three crew suspended on a wire, reaching peak speeds of nearly 30 knots. The 18' fleet will stage an exhibition race starting and finishing off Princes Wharf at 11am. The Royal Akarana Yacht Club will also stage its annual Harbour Blast starting off Orakei Wharf at midday.     

Centreboard classes
They are the grass roots favourites of New Zealand sailing and racing at six clubs includes the 420 North Island Champs and the Opti and Starling Auckland Champs, sailing for people with disabilities, and much more. Full details of locations and start times are on www.regatta.org.nz and we recommend you arrive 2 hours prior to the race start to see the boats being rigged and launched from the beach. 
 

Micro yachting
Incredibly dextrous given their small size, radio controlled yachts are fascinating for all ages to watch and are competitors in the radio controlled fleet include past and present America's Cup and top level sailors as well as weekend warriors. Remote control sailing takes place at Onehunga Lagoon, and the Marine Association Pontoon at Westhaven Marina, from 10am. 

HMNZS Wellington
HMNZS WELLINGTON, one of the Navy’s two Offshore Patrol Vessels, will cross the harbour to join Anniversary Day activities in Auckland on Sunday. WELLINGTON will sail on Monday morning with a variety of guests embarked onboard to be part of the activities at sea.  WELLINGTON will act as Guard Ship for the Waitemata Harbour races.

Dragon boaters
Dragon boats in full regalia, including dragon heads, drums and drummers, will fight it out at the Viaduct this Anniversary Day. Each boat is crewed by 10 paddlers, a drummer to keep the timing and a sweep or helm to keep the boat in a straight line, and the excitement and pressure, even in a friendly race, is immense. Racing runs from 9am until about 4pm.