The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will host its annual Barfoot & Thompson Women’s Day Out on Saturday 22 August 2026, bringing women and girls of all experience levels together for a full day of keelboat racing, learning and networking on the Waitematā Harbour.
Tickets are now on sale for the event, which is open to everyone from first-time sailors through to experienced racers. Organisers are encouraging strong youth participation this year, with scaled pricing for under-18 sailors to help increase accessibility.
A key feature of the 2026 event is a focus on developing the next generation of female sailors. Youth competitors aged 14-18 will have the opportunity to race aboard the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s fleet of Elliott 7 keelboats, helmed by female athletes from the Emirates Team New Zealand Youth Training Programme.
The format is designed to help dinghy sailors from Auckland clubs transition into keelboat sailing, while also creating mentoring opportunities between emerging sailors and high-performance athletes. Organisers say the aim is to strengthen pathways for young women in the sport.
Participants do not need to arrive with a full crew, with organisers offering crew-matching support to ensure sailors can take part regardless of experience or team availability. The day will also include on-water racing, followed by lunch, dinner, prizes and entertainment.
Click here for further information and to get your tickets.
Originally published by Yachting New Zealand.
