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Gearing up for the inaugural Kawau Sailing Weekend!

Family Kawau Sailing Weekend Sailing

Many New Zealand sailors know Kawau Island well. The tropical-like getaway is about as close to Auckland as you can get without knowing it. It is the perfect delivery stopover, quick weekend escape and finish line to our favourite races.

KBC has all the ingredients and infrastructure that a regatta of this stature requires with the hopes of making the event a signature to the New Zealand summer sailing calendar.

It is a fantastic alternative for yachts that are family crewed, smaller or just looking for a distance race that isn’t too far. Opening weekend at KBC is Labour Weekend – there will be 24/7 fuel available, laundry, water and showers. The famous Bistro will be open all weekend!

Kawau Sailing Weekend will follow a structure that is designed for racers and cruisers alike. There will be a lot of socializing on the island, including family-oriented events. This is to ensure that everyone can take part in the Sailing Weekend both on and off of the water – even the kids!

It’ll go something like this:

Getting there – It’ll start with the Auckland to Kawau Race starting 1300 on Friday, October 22nd at the RNZYS. Just two divisions – race and cruise. Find the entry and NOR online.

Saturday morning – Relaxed family day = excursions! To recoup from the race up, take a picturesque 40-minute ride in the Matakana River Raid tenders up the mangrove path following where the kauri scows used to ply. It is sheltered from all weather!

If that isn’t enough – the bonus of the trip? Upon arrival, everyone will have time to wander through the Matakana markets before heading home with the tide.

Saturday night – What would a trip to Kawau Island be without getting your boogie on to live music? The Lady Killers, a New Zealand girl band, are ready to help you find your groove. Of course, there may be restrictions we need to abide by. If this is the case, they’ll play from a barge on the harbour. We will bring you the luxury of a live band!

Sunday morning – Get your body moving before racing with yoga, volleyball, bush walks and wellness cocktails (BYO rum!). Parohe, the stunning wellness retreat at the head of Bon Accord, is opening its facility to the Race Weekend sailors! Rest up and get competitive on the court before heading out on the water.

Sunday afternoon – The Round the Islands Race. Starting at 1300, there will be a race starting and finishing off of KBC wharf. Following the relaxed atmosphere of the weekend, no protests permitted!

Sunday Evening – That’s a wrap! Prizegiving in KBC around 1700 (ish). KBC Cups will be awarded to line honours in both races and first on PHRF. The Cruising division will be awarded by the Club Captain.

But, not only the racing gets awarded – there will be spot prizes for behaviour, best dressed and more! So, keep the Corinthian attitude and the wardrobes up all weekend, just in case you weren’t going to already!

Monday – Have a leisurely cruise home at your own pace after a fun-filled weekend!

The weekend is sponsored by RNZYS, Mount Gay, Orams, Nautica Shipping, Parhoe – dinner for 6 in your home with their Michelin Star chef, Trelise Cooper – women’s fashion, Triumph and Disaster – cosmetics and Culley’s Fine Foods.

We look forward to sharing this vision of a great race weekend getaway with you! Find the entry and NOR here.

Please reach out with any questions or concerns and we look forward to seeing you this Labour Weekend!



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