The Ponsonby Cruising Club is preparing to launch its annual Women's Tuesday Night Series, with racing getting underway on Tuesday 7 October at 1815. Built around the goal of bringing more women into the sport, the series runs with crews of equal numbers of men and women, but one condition is non-negotiable: a woman must be at the helm.
Entries are modest at this stage, with just four boats signed up, and organisers are actively calling on new boat owners and those who prefer a relaxed approach to racing to put their hands up. "It's a great way to get on the water without the pressure of the bigger race fleets," one club member explained. The low-key atmosphere is very much by design, and the series is structured to stay that way.
Open to all Keel Boats and Mullet Boats, the series is divided into two blocks. The spring programme covers five races on 7 and 21 October, 4 and 18 November, and 2 December 2025, while the summer block picks up again with five races on 27 January, 10 and 24 February, and 10 and 24 March 2026. Club members can enter for $200 covering eight races, and with club membership itself kept at an affordable rate, the barrier to participation is low.
Most boats stand a very good chance of going home with a bottle of Ned Rosé, keeping the prize-giving suitably light-hearted and the whole occasion more social than serious.
Whether you have recently purchased a boat, are new to racing, or simply want a friendly competition to ease into, the Women's Tuesday Night Series offers a straightforward entry point. The club is keen to grow the fleet and welcomes anyone considering giving it a try.
