Women of all sailing backgrounds are being welcomed aboard for an event that has become one of the most anticipated dates on the New Zealand sailing calendar. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's Women's Day Out returns on Saturday 23 August 2025, and organisers say this year's edition will be the biggest and most inclusive yet.
Building on the momentum of the 2023 and 2024 events, the RNZYS is again opening its doors to women from around the country, regardless of experience. First-time sailors and seasoned offshore veterans alike are encouraged to take part in a day designed around connection, confidence, and the sheer pleasure of being out on the Hauraki Gulf.
For anyone without a boat or crew berth, the organisers have it covered. "No boat? No problem," says the team at RNZYS. "We'll organise everything, boats, skippers, crew positions. All you need is a positive attitude and a desire to get involved."
The day gets under way at 9am with registration, followed by a briefing at 9:30am to walk participants through what lies ahead. On-water racing begins at 11:25am, with fleets made up entirely of women-crewed boats. The emphasis is firmly on participation rather than podium finishes, and the atmosphere that comes with sailing alongside an all-women fleet is one that past participants consistently describe as something special. Sailing concludes around 4pm, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath before the evening begins.
From 5pm, the focus shifts ashore with the "White, Pink or Sparkles" party, promising music, prizes, bubbles, and the kind of easy socialising that follows a day well spent on the water. At 5:30pm, guest speakers Keryn McMaster and Karleen "Dixie" Dixon take the stage to share their experiences of competing, leading, and thriving in elite sport. Dinner follows at 6:15pm, with music and dancing carrying the celebration well into the night.
The two guest speakers bring a depth of achievement that goes well beyond sailing. Keryn McMaster, an Aucklander who went on to represent Australia, is a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and Olympic swimmer whose career has taken her to the very top of international competition. Her perspective on mental resilience, goal setting, and the realities of elite sport as a woman is expected to resonate far beyond the racing crowd.
Karleen "Dixie" Dixon is a figure well known to New Zealand sailing. A lifelong Squadron member and one of the country's most accomplished keelboat sailors, Dixon has competed across domestic and international competitions throughout her career. In 2026, she will skipper the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's team at the International Women's Championship in Newport, Rhode Island, a regatta widely regarded as a landmark moment for women's one-design racing. Dixon's selection as one of the first five skippers announced for the Newport event reflects both her standing in the sport and the strength of the team she leads.
"Our team has been together for 30 years," Dixon told international media. "We're lifelong friends, not just teammates. We've supported each other through everything, and that's our secret weapon."
Women's Day Out has never been solely about the racing. At its heart, the event is about dismantling the barriers that keep women away from the water and replacing them with something far more welcoming. Participants range from junior sailors to grandmothers, from professional crew members to people trying sailing for the very first time, and the organisers make clear that every one of them belongs on the start line.
"It's about creating a space where women feel seen, welcomed, and celebrated," says the RNZYS team. "There's something powerful about stepping aboard and knowing every boat in the fleet is filled with women."
That sense of purpose has attracted significant backing. Major sponsor Barfoot & Thompson is joined by contributing sponsors Toyota, Mastercard, The Sisters, ecostore, and GlowGuard in supporting an event that sits comfortably within the broader global push for greater representation in competitive sailing. From the PUIG Women's America's Cup and SailGP's Athena Pathway programme to the upcoming International Women's Championship at New York Yacht Club, momentum is building worldwide. Dixon's inclusion among the first five skippers named for Newport 2026 is a proud milestone for the Squadron, and Women's Day Out offers precisely the kind of grassroots foundation that makes those higher-level opportunities possible.
RNZYS membership is not required to take part, and neither is a boat of your own. Registrations for Women's Day Out 2025 are open via RNZYS.org.nz, with places expected to fill fast.
