Next weekend’s scheduled Kawau regatta will now join forces with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s Squadron Weekend, after organisers confirmed both events will run in a shared format for Friday and Saturday. The combined approach offers crews a clearer programme and should help strengthen numbers on the start line.
Entries will get underway on Friday 30 January, with the first warning signal set for 6.00pm off Westhaven. The fleet will head out together, with the finish between Te Kouma and Momona Point where the RNZYS committee boat will be on station. The RNZYS team will coordinate racing management and results for the weekend’s combined races.
Racing continues on Saturday, 31 January, with competitors from the Kawau contingent joining all classes racing under the Squadron Weekend banner. Courses are expected to embrace a mix of island-style options and won’t be restricted to simply circling Kawau Island. Final course details will be communicated ahead of the start.
On the social side, the weekend splits into two functions. The Kawau regatta prizegiving will take place at Kawau Boating Club after Saturday’s races, with sponsor trophies and a live band booked to keep crews entertained. Later, RNZYS will host its prizegiving on the lawns of Lidgard House as part of Squadron Weekend. Tickets and wristbands for the Squadron events are being sold by RNZYS directly.
Boats can enter up to 6.00pm on Wednesday, 28 January, with online entries now open. The entry fee for each race is $50.
