The LiteClub programme is proving popular with 16 yacht clubs around the North Island already on board and freeing up money through the energy efficiency service offered. As part of this completely free service, the LiteClub team visits clubs and shows them ways to be more efficient with electricity, water and waste management. 16 yacht clubs are now working with LiteClub including the Ponsonby Cruising Club, who was one of the most recent to be visited.

If you are racing in the NZMYC Coastal Classic today and wanting a wet fast ride, you will be thrilled. If you want to bask in the sun and enjoy the scenery, not so much. 20-30 knots is expected at the startline at Devonport Wharf in Auckland today and the 170 expected starters, including around 1,000 sailing crew, are looking at achieving some of the fastest times ever posted in the 30 year old race.

The 2013 Two Handed Central Triangle Race starts from Wellington on 2nd March 2013 with the first leg of 195 nautical miles to Akaroa. Leg two takes the fleet 350 nautical miles north to Napier with the final 205 nautical mile leg taking the fleet back to Wellington.

Manly Sailing Club, on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, has been elected by the NZIODA to host the 2014 Optimist National Championships over the Easter holiday period (18-23 April) for five days of fleet racing on the waters north of Big Manly Beach.

Yachting is a very adaptive sport that everybody can get something out of. Whether it is intense racing, sailing around the world, or just an afternoon picnic cruise, sailing is a sport to be enjoyed by everybody!

It's going to be a busy season ahead- so be sure to put these dates to your calendar now, and start planning ahead. These events and many others can all be found on the YNZ Online Event Calendar and while you're there add your club events for everybody else to see too!

Did you read about the foursome of Olympic class sailors, past and present, who will take to their stand up paddle boards on Saturday 27th October for the 2012 Starboard Paddle for Hope - an annual charity fundraiser festival of Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)? Dubbed the Real Sailors - Andrew ‘Hurricane Force’ Brown, Marcus ‘Mad Dog’ Hansen, James ‘the Terminator’ Turner and JP ‘Twin Turbo’ Tobin will hit the water at Auckland Viaduct going up against other teams including an Emirates Team New Zealand entry in a fun relay race.

Yacht racing wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and commitment of qualified race officials including Judges, Race Officers and Umpires, and those that put in the time and effort enjoy the challenge and the rewards that these roles offer. Yachting New Zealand administers these qualifications and offers courses for those looking to get started as well right through to those with significant experience who can revalidate their qualification and keep up to speed with the latest rules and practices. The following National Race Officers have recently revalidated their status for another four years…

The Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS) for 2013-2016 has been made available to download online and for the first time, as an iOS application ahead of the worldwide date of implementation on 1 January 2013. The official ERS iOS Application, available on all mobile Apple devices, allows the user to quickly find information about all aspects of the rules that govern the sport on the water.