This is the third article in a series of five articles telling the story of the Bay of Islands Sailing Week. Read the first and second article in this series, Nina and Tony Kiff: The visionaries behind the Bay of Islands Sailing Week, and The origins of the Bay of Island Sailing Week: How it all began.
The humble beginnings: ingenuity at its best
In 2003, the inaugural Bay of Islands Sailing Week kicked off with more enthusiasm than resources. With funding arriving only after the regatta began, the organisers made do with what they had. The headquarters? An ex-army tent pitched at Opua Wharf. Race results? Pinned to the wall of an old caravan. The bar? A Kiwi-style makeshift counter constructed from scraps of wood.
Fuelled by rum, ginger ale, and salty ice, the first year’s bar became the centre of camaraderie and celebration. Nina Kiff recalls having to “kick patrons out at 11am” after an especially lively night. The bar cash, kept behind the counter, posed its own challenges. Nina, with her much taller son and his friend, would haul the takings up to the yacht club. “There was thousands in my bag,” she laughed. “It made us realise we needed a more secure system.”
As for the dancing? The regatta’s headquarters at Opua Wharf still bore the railway tracks from its industrial past. This led to memorable nights of dancing along the tracks—nearly resulting in twisted ankles—until the committee filled the gaps with concrete, which remains to this day.
A growing legacy: Participation and memorable moments
The inaugural Bay of Islands Sailing Week welcomed a modest yet enthusiastic fleet, featuring 13 boats in A Division, 12 in B Division, nine Flying Fifteens, and four Sports Boats. In Division A, Cruise Control, skippered by Murray Walbran, claimed victory. Division B saw Capella II, led by Andrew Riddell, take the top spot. The Flying Fifteens title went to Skinflint, helmed by Roger de Brey with Ruth Seymour as crew, while the Sports Boat division was won by Trauma, skippered by Grant McKinnis.
By 2005, participation had grown significantly, bolstered by word-of-mouth and the regatta’s reputation for fun and competition. In 2011, the event saw 133 registered yachts, despite strong winds that forced some teams to withdraw.
The 2011 regatta was marked by dramatic moments on the water. Team Vodafone hit over 34 knots, nearly getting airborne as they screamed across the Bay. Meanwhile, other yachts faced challenges: M1 lost a spreader, Tongue Twister broke a mast, and Advantage ended the week with its mast in three pieces. Despite these incidents, participants rated the event a perfect 10 out of 10.
In 2015, the Bay of Islands Sailing Week welcomed three internationally flagged TP52 yachts, marking a milestone for the regatta. Among them was Karl Kwok’s Hong Kong-based Beau Geste 52, to this day a dominant force in both New Zealand and international sailing circuits. Joining Beau Geste was its newly launched sister ship, Fox, built in Auckland for its US-based owner. The event also saw its first-ever Chinese entry, Ark 323, a TP52 representing Noah’s Sailing Club in Shanghai.
By 2016, the Bay of Islands Sailing Week had become a key fixture on the sailing calendar, boasting 94 entries and over 1,000 sailors. Changes in 2017 opened up the competition to smaller boats under revised IRC Championship rules, further broadening the event’s appeal.
The Bay of Islands Sailing Week celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2017—a milestone reflecting the unwavering dedication of its organising committee. That year marked another significant occasion, as the International Tornado Class, a high-performance racing catamaran typically crewed by two, commemorated its 50th anniversary at the event. Adding to the festivities, the regatta proudly hosted the Tornado Nationals, further cementing its reputation as a premier sailing event in New Zealand. 2017 saw over 100 boats taking part from as far afield as Taupo, Christchurch, Australia and New Caledonia. One thousand sailors were on the water each day; the Bay of Islands Sailing Week stood as one the biggest events of its kind in New Zealand, and according to many, the best as well.
In 2018, a rally was introduced for boats heading back to Auckland, aiming to “take the boredom out of their return trip and make it more fun.” Two years later, in 2020, the regatta earned the prestigious Gold Level Clean Regattas certification from Sailors for the Sea, recognising its commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable practices. The 2021 event marked another milestone with the debut of the Melges 40 fleet at the CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week. By 2023, the regatta celebrated its 20th anniversary, highlighting two decades of sailing excellence and camaraderie.
The Bay of Islands Sailing Week has cultivated a loyal following over its 20-year history, drawing sailors back year-after-year. Remarkably, some participants from the inaugural 2003 event were still competing in 2023—some even aboard the same boats. Skippers like Cees Romeyn (Nexus, Whiting 29), Nev Campbell (Kantime, Atkinson 40), Ray Haslar (The Muppet Show, Soto 9), and Nina and Tony Kiff (Wetherley) fondly reflected on decades of “marvellous” sailing and cherished memories.
The regatta has been a family affair for Nina and Tony Kiff, who almost every year have competed. Often alongside their children and, one year, with their three-month-old grandchild on board. “We always try to make Sailing Week a family event,” Tony said, reflecting on how the regatta nurtured both family bonds and a sense of community.
At the time of writing, Nexus, the Whiting 29 owned by Cees Romeyn, will stand as the sole boat from the first Bay of Islands Sailing Week still competing in the 2025 event. Cees Romeyn recalls his first event vividly, albeit for a misstep. “I went the wrong way!” Cees says. “In one of the races everyone started and they were all coming towards me – I came from the other way. So yes, I remember that one very well.” he said, describing a race where he mistakenly sailed against the fleet. Despite that rocky start, Romeyn has since become a respected competitor. Now in his eighties, he has shifted from windward-leeward racing to the Island Racing division. due to crew shortages, but his enthusiasm for the “marvellous” event remains strong.
The event’s appeal lies in its ability to attract a mix of seasoned professionals and rising stars, making each year a thrilling spectacle of skill, strategy, and sailing innovation. It’s this dynamic blend of heritage and high-stakes racing that cements the Bay of Islands Sailing Week as a must-watch event on the New Zealand sailing calendar.
Over the years, the Bay of Islands Sailing Week has evolved into a showcase for the who’s who of New Zealand sailing. The competition field was wide open, attracting some of the nation’s finest sailors and most recognisable yachts. Among the standout competitors was Beau Geste, which returned to assert its dominance, leaving a lasting impression on the regatta.
Joining the ranks were other iconic vessels, including Young Guns, Anarchy, Viento, Mayhem, Kia Kaha, Icebreaker, and the lightning-fast multihull Vodafone. These boats brought not only fierce competition but also storied legacies from other prestigious races like the Coastal Classic and the Auckland Regatta.
Recent years: A premier regatta
Fast-forward to 2023, and the Bay of Islands Sailing Week continued to thrive, with competitive racing across multiple divisions. Notable winners included Mayhem, skippered by H Dodson and T Bosnyak in the Northland Inc A Division, Clockwork, skippered by Steve Mair, dominating the North Sails B Division, and Fantail II, skippered by Simon Edgar, claiming victory in Explore E Division.
The 2024 event, while featuring fewer divisions, remained fiercely competitive. Winners like Wired (North Sails Island Racing A Division) and Zephyrus (BOI Marina B Division) upheld the event’s tradition of high-calibre sailing.
The culture of BOI Sailing Week
Beyond the competition, the Bay of Islands Sailing Week is a celebration of sailing culture. The regatta’s informal, family-friendly atmosphere has been a constant, even as it has grown in size and stature.
For Nina and Tony Kiff, the regatta has been a personal journey. Though no longer organisers, they continue to participate, embodying the spirit of the event. “You do it more for the enjoyment of being out on the water,” Tony said, echoing a sentiment shared by many competitors.
The Bay of Islands Sailing Week is not just for seasoned racers. Its inclusivity and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal entry point for aspiring sailors. Whether competing in the Passage Division or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the event offers something for everyone.
From its humble beginnings with ex-army tents and makeshift bars to its status as one of New Zealand’s premier regattas, the Bay of Islands Sailing Week continues to bear witness to the enduring appeal of sailing. It’s a place where competition meets camaraderie, where the past informs the future, and where anyone with a love of the sea can find a home.
So whether you’re an aspiring sailor or a seasoned competitor, the Bay of Islands Sailing Week invites you to be part of its story. Join the tradition, embrace the challenge, and sail through time.
Well done Nina and Tony. I hope that the future of the Regatta is assured. Good memories and superb sailors.