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If you're one of many Auckland-based sailors who make the trip north to compete in the Bay of Islands Sailing Week regatta, here's a great event you may be interested in - and it's free.
Photo: Will Calver / oceanphotography.co.nz
The Rally from Bay of Islands to Kawau is a fun way to make the trip back down the coast once Bay Week concludes, and be well situatied to join the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, in the Kawau to Westhaven Passage Race. It’s free to enter if you’re already entering the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day regatta or Bay of Islands Sailing Week, so if you’re already heading back down to Auckland, you’d be crazy not to join.
Following the conclusion of CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week on January 25, southbound sailors can opt to join the rally, departing Opua Cruising Club at 10am on January 26. The fleet will sail to the Kawau Boating Club in Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island, where a breakfast will be hosted on Sunday, January 27. Anchoring is plentiful in Bon Accord Harbour, and there’s a dinghy wharf at the Kawau Boating Club.
From there, participants will be in prime position to join the Kawau Island to Westhaven Passage Race on January 28 – part of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. It costs just $30 to join New Zealand’s oldest regatta, and one of the world’s biggest single-day sailing events.
The CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week is now in its 17th year, and regularly attracts 100 boats of all shapes and sizes to take part.
For more information, see bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz. The notice of race has been published and entries can be done online
