Extreme is no stranger to the northern racing circuit, but Kawau Race Week offers something new: an inaugural regatta to contest and, with it, a fresh chapter in a long and active sailing life.
*A boat shaped by its history*
Extreme began life as a Rocket 31, drawn by Jim Young and launched in the early 1990s. Not long into its racing career, the hull was shortened to 29 feet 10 inches. The reason was practical. The modification allowed the boat to qualify for the former under-30-foot division of the PIC Coastal Classic, and the decision paid off. For several years, Extreme held the record in that division, a mark that stood until the class rules were redrawn to allow longer boats to compete.
Beyond its modified length, the boat carries proportions that are uncommon for its size. At 15 feet 3 inches across the beam, Extreme is almost square when viewed from above, a trait rarely seen at this scale. That width delivers strong form stability and real drive when the breeze builds, and Roberts notes that very few boats share a similar footprint. The hull's red finish has remained constant throughout and is now closely associated with the boat.
*Eleven years with the same owner*
Roberts has owned Extreme for 11 years, keeping the boat consistently active over that time. The 2025 season alone saw Extreme contest 45 races with 97 different crew members stepping aboard. Much of that activity has come through Rum Racing, a format Roberts describes as genuinely competitive on the water while remaining social in character. The structure encourages regular participation and an easy approach to crew rotation, meaning the boat has never been the preserve of a fixed campaign group.
Over the years, that openness has built something broader than a racing programme. Some crew members return season after season; others sail a handful of races and move on. Either way, Extreme has grown into a shared platform for a wide mix of sailors whose connection to one another runs through the boat.
*A first run at Kawau Race Week*
Extreme's entry into Kawau Race Week marks the first time the boat has raced around Kawau Island, and the event itself is running for the first time. The three-day programme gives Extreme its debut on this course, and Roberts says the regatta's blend of on-the-water competition and genuine social atmosphere is what drew him to enter.
With compact overall length, a wide beam, and handling characteristics that Roberts and his crew know well, Extreme is suited to race consistently across the course options the week presents. The approach behind the campaign remains straightforward. Sail often, keep the boat moving, and leave the door open for anyone who wants to be part of it.
