Clubs around the country are back in full swing this month, and the standout addition is a revamped safety course that's already found its first audience.
Yachting New Zealand's revised Coastal Personal Safety course made its debut at Weiti Boating Club on Friday 28 August, delivered by Regional Development and Safety Manager Nigel Richards. The interactive session runs two and a half hours and is built for skippers and crew getting ready for the season ahead, whether that's racing, exploring remote anchorages or heading further afield.
Five areas form the backbone of the presentation: People, Equipment, Help!, Overboard and Emergency. Topics include safety culture, crew responsibilities, boat briefings, essential safety equipment, distress signalling, crew-overboard procedures, cold-water risk, fire, hull damage and medical emergencies. Clubs keen to host a session can get in touch with Richards directly at nigel@yachtingnz.org.nz.
Elsewhere, it hasn't all been smooth sailing.
Royal Akarana Yacht Club isn't happy about Auckland Council's move to introduce paid parking at The Landing in Ōkahu Bay. Standard vehicles will be charged $3 an hour, car-and-trailer parks $5, with a $22 daily maximum. A 15-minute drop-off and one free 90-minute session per vehicle per day survive the changes, and they'll apply to club members and the public alike. No start date has been announced, and the club says it's continuing to advocate for its members and users.
Down south, Christchurch Yacht Club has finally cleared a hurdle that's dogged its boatshed project for some time. Premature corrosion to the main steel structure and ramps had stalled things, but a lengthy negotiation with the original contractors has now been settled. The club is investigating a remediation strategy covering coating repairs, pile protection, structural deficiencies and load testing, and its committee says it's in the final stages of preparing and signing contracts. Visible progress is expected soon.
Naval Point Club Lyttelton had a big weekend on 29-30 August, packing a coaching forum, coaching clinic and Yachting New Zealand forum into two days. Regional Development and Coaching Manager Jenny Armstrong organised the event, and General Manager: Community and Development Raynor Haagh used it to present proposed structural changes ahead of the AGM.
Sailors keen on ILCA 6 racing should mark down 9-11 October. Queen Charlotte Yacht Club is hosting a free three-day clinic, primarily aimed at young sailors new to the class, covering boat-handling, setup, technique and core skills for confident single-handed sailing. It's open to all ILCA 6 sailors, not just beginners.
Westhaven Marina has picked up a certificate of appreciation from Sailability Auckland for supporting the Burnsco 2026 SKUD 18 International Match Race Challenge on the Waitematā Harbour. The three-day event, a world first, brought disabled and able-bodied sailors from New Zealand, Australia and the United States together for high-level match racing. Westhaven says it's proud to have supported the event and helped create more opportunities for people of all abilities to get on the water.
Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club closed out its season with a well-attended prizegiving, recognising sailors, juniors, coaches, volunteers and administrators across a range of awards. Among those honoured: Max Tucker, Nicholas Cottingham, Isabelle Tucker, Phoebe Hollings, James Hollings, Peter Cottingham, Warren Rankin and Lyn McCarthy, Fine Entry and Jack Morris. The club's 2026-27 season begins this month, with membership renewals due shortly.
The Waikawa Women's Regatta returns to Queen Charlotte Sound on 12-13 September. It's one of New Zealand's biggest women's keelboat regattas, drawing Olympians, national champions and offshore veterans alongside sailors of every experience level, with many boats crewed entirely by women. Entries are building nicely, organisers say, ahead of what's expected to be another strong weekend on the water.
Torbay Sailing Club is holding an Info Evening at 7pm on Monday 7 September for new and returning sailors. The family-friendly club, overlooking Waiake Beach, caters for juniors, youths and adults through Learn to Sail programmes, refresher courses and club racing, backed by a strong coaching group.
Royal Akarana's David McIntyre, an International Judge and member of the New Zealand Flying 15 race team, shared his expertise with Salt Spring Island Sailing Club after judging the International 14 World Championships in Ontario. He flew by float plane from Vancouver to Ganges Harbour and was on the water within the hour, helping members sharpen their boat-handling through the racing rules. A discussion on the rules followed the sailing.
Entries are open for the 38th Aviemore Classic over Labour Weekend, New Zealand's biggest freshwater trailer yacht regatta, held at Lake Aviemore. Run by the Timaru Yacht and Power Boat Club since 1989, it draws competitors from New Zealand and Australia. The three-day programme includes National and South Island championships, the main Classic and the family-friendly Swanny Fun Race, alongside barbecues, entertainment and a strong social atmosphere.
