The New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club will run a new three-day regatta at Kawau Island over Auckland Anniversary Weekend, completing a trio of major events across the season.
The Evolution Sails Kawau Classic replaces last year's Kawau Race Week and will be held from 29 to 31 January 2027. The fleet is capped at 100 boats, with entries accepted in order of payment.
Crews can choose between a racing fleet or a cruising rally. Both sail the same island waters during the day and converge on the Kawau Boating Club in Bon Accord Harbour each evening.
The event fills a gap between the 40-year-old PIC Coastal Classic, which opens the NZMYC season at Labour Weekend, and the PIC Harbour Classic in March. Where the Coastal Classic is a long passage north, the Kawau Classic keeps the fleet in one anchorage with shorter races and more time ashore.
"The Evolution Sails Kawau Classic is the third event in what we always envisaged as a trio of great sailing events across the season," said NZMYC spokesman Simon Hull. "We wanted something for everyone. There will be proper racing for crews who want the challenge, and the rally for families and cruising sailors who simply want to get out there and be part of it."
The racing fleet will sail five races on general handicap, with divisions set by boat speed and type. Courses range from windward-leeward on laid marks to passage races around Beehive, Challenger, Motuketekete, and Moturekareka islands. Racing starts late on Friday afternoon — first warning signal at 3:55 pm, allowing time for a relaxed sail to Kawau from Auckland or the Bay of Islands.
The rally runs under collision regulations rather than racing rules, with prizes for best-dressed boat, biggest fish and a poker run. This allows owners whose cruising policy excludes racing to enter without contacting their insurer.
Early entry costs $150 until 16 December 2026, then $195 until entries close at 8pm on 18 January 2027 or when the fleet fills.
Boats competing in Bay of Islands Sailing Week can enter for $100 on their way home to Auckland.
The event is open to keelboats, multihulls, trailer yachts and sports boats. Skippers must be financial members of clubs affiliated to Yachting New Zealand.
Entry and the Notice of Race are at kawauclassic.co.nz.
