On Friday 22 August, the Women’s Only Day on the Water with Skipperi, a full-day on-water experience in Auckland offers women the opportunity to take the helm, develop practical boating skills, and enjoy a day out on the Hauraki Gulf with a supportive crew.
Hosted by Wild Chix in partnership with Skipperi, the day is designed to be hands-on, informative and relaxed. Everything is included — from fuel and gear to bait and lifejackets — and each boat (a Haines Hunter SF545 from the Skipperi fleet) is skippered by a qualified female guide. No experience is needed, just a willingness to give it a go.
The group will cruise off the Waitematā Harbour and anchor off Motuihe Island around midday for a shared picnic, a chance to connect and enjoy the space.
Who is Wild Chix?
Wild Chix was founded by Isabell Zitzelsberger in 2023, but it truly took off in 2024. After seven years as Sales and Marketing Manager for a well-known New Zealand boat brand, Isabell noticed a pattern — she was almost always selling boats to men. Women were often left out of the process, even when the boat was clearly going to be used by the whole family.
That imbalance stood out.
“Boating is such a family activity, yet women tend to take the back seat—making lunch, looking after the kids, while he handles the boat. I wanted to change that dynamic,” says Isabell.
So she took the idea to the Tauranga Sportfishing Club, speaking directly to the women there. The response was instant and enthusiastic. From those first conversations, the concept snowballed. She was invited to run sessions at the Outboard Boating Club in Auckland, then Bowentown and beyond.
What started as a few practical seminars to help women feel more capable and confident around boats has now grown into a nationwide initiative. Wild Chix offers hands-on workshops in boat maintenance, safety, trailer handling, engine checks, and more — all taught in a supportive, down-to-earth setting.
Isabell brings more than a decade of marine industry experience to the role, and is known for making boating more accessible through education, encouragement, and a healthy dose of humour. She’s a strong advocate for getting more women behind the wheel — literally and figuratively.
Wild Chix events attract a wide mix of women — some learning for the first time, others coming back to boating after a long break. Some want to share the load on the water with a partner or friend, others are keen to do things on their own terms. Whatever their reason, they leave with more confidence, practical skills, and a growing community of like-minded women.
About the Women’s Only Day on the Water with Skipperi experience
This is a practical, hands-on, on-the-boat workshop. It’s about giving women the opportunity to build real boating confidence in a supportive, no-pressure environment. Key skills covered on the day include:
* Boat operation and handling
* Anchoring and position holding
* Reading marine electronics
* Launching and retrieving
* VHF radio basics
* Optional fishing skills and gear handling
You don’t need a licence or prior knowledge — this day is purely about participation. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh and expand your experience, it’s a safe and encouraging way to get involved in all aspects of boating.
Who it’s for
This event is ideal for women who want to:
* Get more involved in boating
* Learn hands-on skills in a supportive environment
* Build confidence to share the skipper’s seat
* Make connections with other boating women
* Prepare for solo or family boating adventures
Whether you’re boating with a partner, preparing for your own trips, or simply keen to learn something new, this is an easy, accessible way to start.
Registration is easy
Register here. The cost for the Women’s Day on the Water with Skipperi boating experience is $350, which includes the boat, fuel, gear, guidance, picnic lunch, and fishing equipment (optional.)
Powered by Skipperi
Skipperi is New Zealand’s leading boat-sharing service, offering app-based access to a fleet of well-maintained, late-model trailer boats based in Auckland. For a fixed monthly subscription, members can get out on the water as often as they like — without the usual costs and commitments of boat ownership. It’s a flexible, practical approach that removes the traditional barriers to boating. For women who want control over when and how they go boating — and don’t want the hassle of owning a boat themselves — it’s a model that makes sense.
This partnership with Wild Chix is all about giving more women a practical pathway into boating by combining access with skills training.
“We’re thrilled to be able to share our Women’s Only Day on the Water with Boating New Zealand readers. We are excited to be working with Isabell and Wild Chix. When I first met Isabell and heard about how she’s creating these awesome opportunities for women to come together and try new things, I knew we had to collaborate. With Skipperi’s fleet and easy access, it felt like a no-brainer to support Isabell/Wild Chix and help more women experience the fun and confidence that boating can offer.” — Amelia, Marketing and Customer Service Manager, Skipperi.
Amelia highlights that on the day, groups of women will head out on one of Skipperi’s fleet boats, each led by a trained female skipper. With 25 Haines Hunter SF545s in their fleet, there’s plenty of availability. The event will be based at Z Pier in Westhaven, where Skipperi’s boats are already in the water, making access easy for multiple groups to launch in the morning.
Further, Amelia reinforces that every Skipperi boat is fully equipped with life jackets and safety gear, so everyone can simply hop on board and enjoy the experience.
“It’s a chance for women to take the helm, build confidence on the water, and enjoy a relaxed lunch on one of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf. We’re so lucky to have Isabel leading the charge with Wild Chix, she’s an absolute force of nature! I have no doubt she’s going to inspire many more women to get involved with boating in the future.” — Amelia, Marketing and Customer Service Manager, Skipperi.
Make it part of a three-day series
The on-water experience is part of a wider three-day programme designed to build skills in stages. You’re welcome to join just the Thursday event or combine it with other sessions for a fuller experience:
Thursday 21 August – Boating Basics Seminar (Offshore Boating Club, Auckland)
A land-based evening covering charts, marine weather, navigation, rules of the road and safety planning. Register here.
Friday 22 August – Women’s Only Day on the Water with Skipperi (starting out from Westhaven Marina)
A full-day on the water, driving, anchoring, and learning hands-on aboard Skipperi boats. Register here.
Friday 22 August – Trailer & Docking Bootcamp
Focused training on boat ramp skills, retrieving, docking, and trailer handling. Register here.
Ready to take the helm?
Register now for the Thursday 22 August on-water event — or attend all three days.
https://www.wildchix.co.nz/event-details-registration/womens-day-on-the-water-with-skipperi
- Follow Wild Chix on Instagram and Facebook for event updates, boating tips, and future locations.
- Follow Skipperi on Facebook for boat updates, and destination tips.
Take the helm — at your pace, in good company, with the support you need. This is your time to get hands-on with boating, boost your skills, and enjoy the freedom of the water with a crew that gets it.
