A growing tradition in women’s sailing
Sailing has long been a male-dominated sport, but across New Zealand, more women than ever are embracing life on the water. Whether it’s the thrill of harnessing the wind, the camaraderie of a crew, or the simple joy of spending time on the ocean, women of all ages and backgrounds are discovering a passion for sailing.
Unlike the world of professional competition, where sponsorships and elite training programmes shape careers, the heart of women’s sailing in New Zealand lies in the grassroots movement—clubs, regattas, and weekend races where skills are honed, friendships are formed, and confidence is built. Many female sailors enter the sport later in life, often through opportunities like women’s sailing programmes, casual racing, or simply stepping aboard a yacht with friends. Others, who may have once competed at high levels like the Olympics, continue to sail for the pure love of the sport rather than for professional ambition.
With more clubs and events encouraging female participation, sailing is becoming increasingly accessible, breaking down barriers and ensuring more women experience the freedom and adventure that comes with setting sail. At its core, sailing is about connection—to the wind, the water, and the people who share the journey.
The Evolution Sails NZ Women on Water Weekend (WOWW) returned to Gulf Harbour Yacht Club this weekend, from March 7 to 9, bringing together female sailors of all skill levels for three days of competitive and social sailing. Organised in collaboration with the Auckland Yacht and Boating Association, the event aimed to foster confidence, skills, and a love for sailing among women of all ages.
Since its debut in 2023, WOWW had grown into a must-attend event on New Zealand’s sailing calendar. The inaugural edition saw 120 sailors aged 13 to 85 travel from across the country—from Christchurch to New Plymouth and Taupō—to take part in this unique experience. With a mix of newcomers and seasoned sailors the event continues to attract an enthusiastic and diverse crowd.
A packed schedule of racing and social events
The weekend turned on beautiful weather, with light winds making for ideal sailing conditions. Perfect for both seasoned sailors and newcomers, the calm conditions provided an excellent backdrop for competitive racing and relaxed cruising alike.
Friday morning saw participants being introduced to their boat owners, skippers, and crew before heading out for a shakedown sail, which included an optional anchor stop for lunch and a swim. Later in the day, a familiarisation session provided first-time yacht racers with an overview of what to expect, ensuring everyone felt confident heading into the weekend’s races.
Saturday and Sunday were dedicated to racing, with divisions catering to different experience levels and styles of sailing.
Celebrating the winners across the divisions
Coming into the event, some yachts already drew special attention for their strong performances and racing history. Hijinx, a sleek Bakewell White Z39, demonstrated its competitive edge, handling the challenging conditions with skill. Meanwhile, Fez, a 1986 Warwick 50, continued its impressive form following a standout performance at the 2024 PIC Coastal Classic. Both boats added an exciting dynamic to the weekend, reinforcing the high level of competition across all divisions.
This year’s WOWW featured three competitive divisions, each catering to different levels of experience and racing styles. There was no shortage of spirited sailing, with the winning podium clearly insight.
Spinnaker Division
Reserved for experienced sailors who thrive on the challenge of advanced sail-handling, the Spinnaker Division brought some of the fiercest competition of the event. With spinnakers and gennakers in play, crews had to be sharp, tactical, and quick to adapt to changing conditions.
The scoring system for the division allowed each boat to count its best four out of five races, meaning sailors could drop their lowest race result. This strategic element added an extra layer of excitement, as teams had to balance consistency with standout performances to secure their final rankings.
Emerging victorious was Southern Fun, a Davidson 12.8 which has a history of racing. With scores of 1-4-7-1-1 and a total of 7 points, this was a decisive win for the crew. It was the last two finishes which cemented their podium first win, proving the team’s ability to perform under pressure when it mattered most.
A little behind in final points, with a total of 9.5 points, came second place finalists Patrician, a 1975 Stewart. With scores of 5-1-1-6-2 across three races, and total of 9.5 points, the crew put in a solid performance. The crew on Patrician may well have thought they were in for an overall first place, but Southern Fun pulled the two final races out of the bag, pushing Patrician down the winning ranks.
Rounding out the podium, in third place overall for the Spinnaker Division, was Share Delight, a Farr 1020 designed by Bruce Farr in 1981 and built by McDell Marine. The crew fought hard throughout the series, finishing with a 6-1-2-5-3 scoreline. Race two was especially thrilling, with Share Delight pushing Patrician to the limit in a near tie. Share Delight finished with 11.5 points.
Hijinx came fourth, with Pace (Elan 6), CMcGuire (Lidgard 36), and Azure (the second Farr 1020 in the division) rounding out the remainder of the fleet.
Non-Spinnaker Division
For those who love competitive racing but prefer to keep things simple, the Non-Spinnaker Division offered the perfect balance of challenge and accessibility. Following the same format as the Spinnaker Division—just without the added complexity of extras like spinnakers and gennakers—this fleet provided a thrilling contest for sailors looking to refine their racing skills or dive into the action without extensive prior experience.
This was an exciting division to watch. The fleet varied in size from 8 to 17 metres. Today’s racing saw an upset in overall placings. Before the final two races (races four and five) the podium placers looked to be Fair Seasons (Cavalier 39), Knot@Work (Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i), and Glory Days (Hanse 400), each with a total of 10 points, making for an incredibly tight competition. But the final two races brought about big changes in the overall standings.
In the end, it was Glory Days who ultimately came out on top with results of 2-3-5-1-2. A mix of consistency and a standout performance in the fourth race secured their place at the head of the fleet, finishing with a total of 8 points.
Pushing them much of the way was Knot@Work, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. With a strong showing in the first, second and last race, they claimed second place with scores of 3-1-6-6-3, finishing with total overall points of 13.
Not far behind, Toy Shop (a Lotus 10.6), came out of nowhere after the third race. Toy Shop rounded out the podium with results of (TLE)-5-5-4-1 and a total of 15 points.
Fair Seasons, came 7th in the fourth race and then retired for its last match, removing it from a podium finish. In the end it finished fifth overall, one place behind Satisfaction 2, a Beneteau Oceanis 54. Fair Seasons was followed by Anticipation (Farr 6000), Korora (Townson 32), TomTom Taxi (Thompson T38), and Strider (Sandy Jones 28).
Harbour Division
A fresh addition to the WOWW lineup, the Harbour Division offered a more laid-back racing experience, perfect for those who wanted to enjoy the beauty of the water without the intensity of high-stakes competition. This division competes in four races. Following a pursuit format around existing harbour marks, the fleet still saw its fair share of close racing, with the top two boats finishing on equal points, adding extra drama to the final results.
The fourth race caused an upset. At the end of the third race, the ranks in this division were The Countess (Elan S3) and Seabrook (Hanse 415) both sitting on 7 total points, followed by Fez (Warick 50). Adding to the dynamic competition, Wrighteous (Wright 10) and Summerwind (Bavaria 39) made an impact on the overall standings despite only competing in the first two races, further shaking up the leaderboard in this exciting division.
In the end count, Seabrook who sailed a steady and strategic series claimed victory with a total of 9 points, scoring 4-1-2-2 across the divisions four races. Fez, delivered a determined effort in the fourth race to win it; this moved Fez from third to second place, finishing on 11 points, with scores of 5-2-3-1.
Rounding out the podium was The Countess (Elan S3) which had been in first place overall. However, their fourth-race disqualification caused them to move from first to third place with 12 overall points, with scores of 2-4-1-(DSQ).
A welcoming environment for all women
The impact of WOWW will be felt far beyond the results. As the organisers reflected after Day 2, ‘And soooo many newbies falling in love with our wonderful sport of sailing.’ The weekend proved to be an incredible gateway for new sailors, giving them a chance to experience the joys of sailing in a supportive and empowering environment.
One of WOWW’s standout features is its accessibility. Unlike many regattas, this event did not require participants to own a boat. Instead, non-boat owners were paired with experienced club sailors, providing a valuable opportunity for newcomers to learn in a hands-on, supportive environment. This structure was instrumental in making sailing more approachable and ensuring that all women, regardless of background, felt welcome on the water.
Charting a course for the future
As the Evolution Sails NZ Women on Water Weekend continues to grow, organisers looked ahead to further expanding the event. Future editions may introduce more divisions, onshore workshops, and additional learning opportunities, ensuring that WOWW remains an inclusive and inspiring event for women at all stages of their sailing journey.
Fair winds and following seas to all who participated—see you on the start line next year!
Great event. Well done to GHYC and the organising team (and all the volunteers)