Issue date
Our NZCT regional development managers have had a busy month up and down the country. Here are some of the highlights from their respective regions.
Qualifications for race officiating - like others - expire every four years. Photo / Adam Mustill
Why, when and how to revalidate, upskill
As the domestic sailing season winds down, now is the perfect time for coaches, judges, umpires, and race officers to again make sure their certificates are revalidated.
Revalidating or upgrading qualifications is an important step for qualified officials and coaches to ensure you remain up to date, aware of current best-practice and are continually upskilling.
Qualifications expire every four years.
Kirsten Moratz, Yachting New Zealand's coach development manager, says revalidating your qualifications is about far more than just ticking boxes.
"There is always something new to learn in our sport and Yachting New Zealand offers a variety of courses and pathways to help you find the next step in your journey and to upskill in whatever area interests you,” Moratz said.
“For example, in coaching many yacht clubs require valid qualifications for you to be able to coach, and one way of revalidating is by upgrading your current qualification. If you are over 15 with a buddy coach qualification, you should upgrade to assistant to reflect your ability to drive a powerboat and if you are over 18, you should upgrade to LTS coach so you can take a group by yourself.
"Those with an LTS coaching qualification can take the race coach course to upgrade. Having all qualifications valid and up to date is also important should you wish to coach overseas."
Another reason why maintenance of your race official qualifications is important is to ensure you appear on the Find a race official page on the Yachting New Zealand website. This will not be the case if your qualifications have expired.
"Information and resources are constantly updating, so a revalidation can be a great time to check in with yourself and make sure you are up to date," Moratz said.
Over 110 coaches and 16 officials will soon receive a reminder to revalidate.
If you know you need to revalidate you can find out more about it by clicking here for coaches and here for race officials.
For any club wanting to check if their race officials' and coaches’ qualifications are current, please contact Moratz on kirsten@yachtingnz.org.nz.
Coaching courses filling up fast
There are now more opportunities than ever to take the next step in your coaching – but spots are filling up fast for Yachting New Zealand's Learn to Sail (dinghy) coaching courses this winter.
Kirsten Moratz, Yachting New Zealand's coach development manager, confirmed at least one course is scheduled for every region around the country in the coming months, but the first one (in Whangārei early next month) only has two places still available.
“Whether you are a young sailor looking to give back, a parent eager to learn more, or coordinating the Learn to Sail program at your club, this course is designed to get you started on your coaching journey,” Moratz said.
“With flexible weekend sessions and online modules, it's easy to fit the course into your schedule.”
The entry-level coaching course is ideal for those aged 14 and older and will be offered on the following dates and at these locations:
- May 4-5: Whangārei Cruising Club (Northland)
- May 4-5: Wakatere Boating Club (Auckland)
- August 7, 14, 21, 28: Online (all regions)
- August 10-11: Howick Sailing Club (Auckland)
- August 17-18: Evans Bay Yacht Club (Wellington)
- August 24-25: Queen Charlotte Yacht Club (Nelson/Marlborough)
- August 31-September 1: Charteris Bay Yacht Club (Christchurch)
- September 21-22: Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club (Central North Island)
- October 26-27: Macandrew Bay Boating Club (Dunedin)
The complete coaching course calendar is regularly updated and is available here.
Anyone wanting to take the course must:
- Complete the Coaching Yachting 101 online modules.
- Complete the Child Safeguarding modules (through the Sport New Zealand catalogue)
- Have intermediate sailing ability.
- Be confident in and around the water.
- Be at least 14 years of age.
To sign up for a Yachting New Zealand Learn to Sail (dinghy) coach course, follow these easy steps:
- Go to sporttutor.nz/yachtingnz and create an account by clicking “Sign Up”. This must be done with your coach’s email address, so they have their own learning account and journey set up.
- Go to the Yachting NZ Course Catalogue, and complete Coaching Yachting 101. It should take no more than an hour or two to complete.
- Sign up for the specific course in your region, you can search the club name in the search bar of the course catalogue to find it
Marsden Yacht and Boat Club turns 50 this year.
Milestone for Marsden Yacht and Boat Club
Marsden Yacht and Boat Club is turning 50 and organisers are planning a party fit for the occasion.
Club secretary Warren Daniel said festivities will include a reunion on Sunday, October 27, as well as sailing activities and a celebratory dinner.
"We would like to invite all past and present members to attend and help us celebrate a significant milestone," Daniel said.
"We do not have the addresses of many of our past members and would ask that those who are interested in, and/or intend to attend our celebration to please register their interest."
MYBC was formed in October 1974 when a small group of residents in the Bream Bay area decided to form a local yacht club.
Initially, sailing in the waters off Marsden Point, a new clubhouse was built adjacent to the One Tree Point boat ramp in 1990, where it remains.
Daniel can be contacted at (09) 4327268, secretary.mybc@gmail.com or via PO Box 9, Ruakaka, 0151.
The start of the Three Kings race has been pushed back to Friday. Photo / Ivor Wilkinson
Weather delay for Three Kings Race
The start of the 2024 Helly Hansen Three Kings Race has been delayed due to the unfolding weather situation.
General Committee Member and Race Director Scott Wilson advised the new start date and time after the decision was made yesterday (April 9).
“We’ve made the call to delay the start of the Helly Hansen Three Kings Race to Friday (April 12), with the new start time being 0900 hours,” said Wilson.
With the change in start time, the race briefing will now be held at 1800 hours tomorrow (April 11) at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
There are no other changes to the race, with the fleet still rounding the famous Three Kings Islands which mark the halfway point to the 500nm Category 2 race.
The delayed start was sparked by a weather event expected to unfold on Thursday morning and through the first night.
“The safety of our fleet is paramount, so delaying the start should ensure a smooth yet exciting race,” Wilson said.
Matteo Barker won the 2024 Optimist national championships. Photo / Live Sail Die
Team named for Opti worlds
A five-strong team has been named to represent New Zealand at the 2024 Optimist world championships, with Matteo Barker, Nathan Soper, Will Fyfe, Blake Batten (all from Murrays Bay Sailing Club) and Blake Duncan (Napier Sailing Club) set to compete in Mar del Plata, Argentina in December.
The team will be accompanied by a yet-to-be-determined coach, team manager Dean Barker and country manager Noeline Soper.
Barker won the NZ Optimist national championship title at Queen Charlotte Yacht Club earlier this month, followed by Soper and Fyfe. Zofia Wells was eighth overall and first female, with Charlotte Handley (15th), and Flora Stevens (16th) second and third female respectively.
Full results and standings here.
Simon Cooke and Anatole and Oskar Masfen on Cruel Jane. Photo / Live Sail Die
Etchells nationals: Cruel Jane does it again
The Cruel Jane team of Simon Cooke, Anatole Masfen, and Oskar Masfen trumped six other crews and challenging conditions off Mission Bay at the weekend, to defend their title as Etchells national champions.
Cooke and Co won three of the eight completed races to take the win by five points from Craig Greenwood's Fifteen+.
Full results here.
Ray and Hugo Davies won the title at the 2024 Cherub national championships. Photo / Jacob Fewtrell Media
Father-son team on top in Cherubs
The father-son team of Ray and Hugo Davies came out on top at the Cherub national championships at the Bay of Islands Sailing Club over the weekend of March 15, topping Lucas Day and Rowan Kensington, and Hugo Smith and Adrian Pawson.
The Davies secured top-three results in all eight races, winning four, to finish three points ahead of the second-placed team. Brooke Griffin (with Phil McNeill) was the first female crew, and Karlia Dunne (sailing with Matt Dunne) the first female helm.
Meanwhile, Paul Moriarty won in a 30-boat Farr 3.7 fleet, finishing comfortably ahead of Derek Snow and Joe Batchelor. Katie de Lange (16th overall) was the first female.
In the J14 class, Trent Justice took out five of the first six races, to see off the challenge from David Giles by five points.
Full results here.
Dangerzone is Harry Thurston, Luke Cashmore, Sam Barnett, James Jennings, Thomas Olds, Brad Marsh and Will Tiller. Photo / Young 88
Thurston back in the zone
Harry Thurston's Dangerzone continued an impressive run in 2024 by defending their title at the Young 88 national championships at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club last month.
Thurston and his crew of Luke Cashmore, Sam Barnett, James Jennings, Thomas Olds, Brad Marsh and Will Tiller took out first on line and the Tanaka Cup for owner-driver with Karyn Drummond on Flash Gordon second (and first mixed crew).
Third on line went to Mark Tapper helming Undercover with world match-racing ace Nick Egnot-Johnson on tactics. Lee Miller's Voodoo was first on handicap.
Dangerzone has been unstoppable this year, also winning at the Bay of Islands Sailing Week, the Auckland championships, and the North Sails Southern Championships.
Full results here.
Tim Howse is the 2024 Waszp national champion. Photo / Kohimarama Yacht Club
Howse that? Tim claims Waszp crown
Promising Kohimarama Yacht Club sailor Tim Howse powered his way to the 2024 Waszp national title at Takapuna Boating Club by winning seven of nines races in mid-March.
Howse started the regatta with a DNF but quickly recovered - picking up bullets in the next five races.
Noah Malpot was second overall, followed by Peter Graham.
Howse came fourth overall (and was the second youth) at the at the Waszp world championships in Sorrento, Australia in December last year - his first major international success.
Full results here.
Frank Racing on the way to victory. Photo / Josh McCormack
Competition foiled in Harbour Classic
A fleet of 52 yachts gathered at the start line for the highly anticipated PIC Insurance Brokers Harbour Classic, but the race was swiftly claimed by the outstanding performance of Frank Racing.
In an awe-inspiring display, the foiling GC32 conquered the course in an astonishing 58 minutes, and 49 seconds, leaving the competition trailing in their wake.
"It was an absolute thrill! The ideal conditions allowed us to effortlessly glide through the water, experiencing the joy of foiling," owner Simon Hull said.
Harry Dodson's TP52 Mayhem clinched the title of the first monohull to cross the line at 1hr, 29 minutes, 41 seconds, while Innismara, the 67-foot modern classic monohull, won overall handicap.
Inspired by the renowned Barcolana Regatta in Trieste, Italy, where over 2500 yachts simultaneously set sail from a single start line, the PIC Harbour Classic aspires to attain similar grandeur.
While not yet at the scale of its Italian counterpart, ambitious plans are in motion to have 500 boats grace the start line within the next decade.
Full results and standings here.
Marama is set for a facelift. Photo / Supplied
Kohi on mission to make Marama great again
Kohimarama Yacht Club needs your support to give their 45-year-old committee boat, Marama, a facelift. Launched in 1978, Marama has helped create many fond memories over the years for club members but after nearly 50 years of start duties, she is finally getting a much-needed revamp.
The upgrades include swapping the 39hp diesel motor for electric propulsion and the use of some new smartphone-based technology.
The undertaking is massive, but this revamp will leave Kohimarama Yacht Club and the local sailing community with a future-proofed asset to support youth sailing for many more years to come. We welcome any support to assist with this project.
Click here to donate.
SSANZ Enduro: Call for entries
Entries are rolling in for the 2024 Chains Ropes & Anchors ANZAC Enduro - now only two weeks away.
It's not too late to enter and join this group of boats for an epic return to Barrier race.
Seventeen boats have already entered for the race on April 25-27, with three different course options available - cruising (50nm), short haul (60nm) and long haul (140nm).
Click here for more information and to enter.
50 up for BOPTYS...
During the summer of 1974, three trailer yachts met on Lake Rotoiti and over time the concept of a local trailer yacht club was hatched.
In October, the Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron, based in Okawa Bay, Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua, will celebrate its 50th birthday.
The club has started planning for this event and are looking for expressions of interest from past and present club members who feel they would like to attend.
The date has been set for Saturday, October 5, 2024, and will include an afternoon tea and celebration dinner.
For more information, or the register your interest in attending, please email 50years@boptys.org.nz.
More than 50 sailors in 45 boats sailed in the Easter Regatta. Photo / Paremata Boating Club
... and Paremata cracks 100
Paremata Boating Club revived its Easter Regatta to celebrate its 100th anniversary at the start of the month - and sailors responded.
More than 50 sailors from as far away as New Plymouth turned up to race over Easter, with many more joining in the Friday social race.
The regatta featured 45 boats from a wide range of classes - from 420s, Starlings, O'pen Skiffs,
Lasers, P Classes and Optimists; to Zephyrs, RS Aeros and Farr 3.7s - and made for close racing on the Pāuatahanui Inlet.
Work is already underway for next year's Easter Regatta.
Click here for results and more photos.
Mabel North and Madison Smith. Photo / Justin Mitchell
Young crews get SailGP Feva
Twenty-five young RS Feva crews from all over the country had front-row seats to the on- and off-the-water action at this year's New Zealand SailGP in Christchurch.
Not only did the sailors get to race in front of 25,000 spectators during the build-up to the main event - dramatically won by Peter Burling and his Black Foils - but they also went behind the scenes with tech tours, doing blokarting, and attending the Breaking Boundaries event.
Wanaka Yacht Club's Mabel North and Madison Smith took out the first place, with Tom Peters and Josh Dixon (Royal Akarana Yacht Club) second, and Ben Catton and Caleb Perano (Charteris Bay Yacht Club) third.
Full results here.
The RS Feva national championships will be held this weekend at Maraetai Sailing Club with record fleet numbers expected, including boats from Rarotonga and New Caledonia.
Sailability Canterbury aims to expand its fleet and enhance its offerings through this winter.
Sailability Canterbury launched
Sailability Canterbury launched with a bang during last month's SailGP weekend.
According to spokesperson Ben Acland, the aim is to bring the joy of sailing to the Canterbury community.
"With a vision of enabling individuals with physical and mental impairments to experience the exhilaration of sailing, Sailability Canterbury is gearing up to launch its inaugural programme this spring," Acland said.
The Switzerland and Spain SailGP teams were part of a fundraising event held on the eve of the SailGP, with attendees witnessing firsthand the capabilities of the Hansa 303, a single or two-crew sailing keelboat recognised by World Sailing.
"Looking ahead, Sailability Canterbury aims to expand its fleet and enhance its offerings through recruitment of volunteers and fundraising initiatives throughout autumn and winter. Those interested in supporting this cause are encouraged to reach out via the Sailability Canterbury Facebook page," Acland said.
Naval Point Club Lyttelton's first women's regatta was a big success.
Naval Point 'shake-up' a success
After two seasons of hosting a women's keelboat series with one race per month, Naval Point Club Lyttelton decided it was time for a shake-up, and so the Naval Point Women's and Girls regatta was born.
The inaugural event was held on April 6, with the only requirement for the day to have a female helming the boat.
According to organiser Amanda Norris, this allowed females to try their hand at something they may not have the opportunity to do on a typical race day.
"The first two races were a bit slow as there was not much wind, but for most, this was a relief. It gave us time to learn the boat or our new roles on the boat," Norris said.
"The third and final race saw a beautiful breeze, albeit a little shifty."
The on-water action was only a small part of the event, with an emphasis on the social aspect.
"After racing all competitors and volunteers gathered back at the club for dinner and many stories were shared before we kicked into prizegiving," Norris said.
"Our race winners were announced and many spot prizes were given away."
