It was an outstanding result for Opua Cruising Club, with members Wayne Limbrick and Sally Tait securing third place at the 2026 Tornado National Championships at Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club — finishing just one point shy of second in a highly competitive fleet.

The regatta was won by Dave Shaw and his wife Susan, who delivered a dominant performance with eight straight race wins to claim the title. Second place went to Winston Ordish-Brenner and Shanae Ahern (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club), narrowly ahead of the Opua pair.

For Wayne and Sally to be so close to second — separated by a single point — is an excellent achievement at national level and a fantastic result for Opua Cruising Club. The championship also added another accolade to Dave Shaw’s record, the defending and multiple-time A Class and Paper Tiger national champion.

You can read the article on yachtingnz.org.nz

Dave Shaw continued his dominance of New Zealand multihull racing, claiming the 2026 Tornado national championships at Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club

Fisher & Paykel Interclub / Russell Cup – This Sunday 12pm!

The rivalry continues this weekend as Opua Cruising Club takes on the Russell Boating Club in the annual Fisher & Paykel Interclub / Russell Cup, which returns to the waters of the beautiful Bay of Islands.

The Interclub series between Opua Cruising Club and Russell Boating Club is one of the most anticipated fixtures on the local sailing calendar, a proud tradition of competitive racing, good sportsmanship, and inter-club spirit.

Opua Cruising Club has held the prestigious Fisher & Paykel trophy for the past six seasons as Interclub champions.

We Need You on the Start Line

We need a minimum of four boats to enter the race. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or keen to represent your club and be part of the action, this is your chance to fly the OCC colours.

This race is more than just points on a board — it’s about heritage, teamwork, and the thrill of lining up against our friendly rivals from across the water.

Let’s turn out in numbers, defend the trophy, and show why Opua remains the club to beat.

If you can race, please confirm your entry as soon as possible.

See you on the start line!

On a glorious summer’s day with a light westerly breeze, 25 Opua Cruising Club members and their friends gathered on Baylys Beach (Onewhero Bay) last Sunday for our February Club BBQ.

It was a splendid day with the BBQ sizzling, people swimming, dogs digging in the sand and a very keenly contested game of beach skittles.

Great fun was had by all and we’re all looking forward to the next BBQ in the bay.

The club’s next BBQ is scheduled for March 15^th. Watch this space for details.

Opua Cruising Club is proud to shine our spotlight this month on February’s sponsor of the month, Seapower.

Located right on the waterfront at Opua Marine Estate, Seapower are Opua’s dedicated marine engineering, service and repair specialists. Their experienced marine engineers and technicians offer a full range of marine services to boat owners from all over New Zealand and overseas.

Whether you have a mechanical, electrical, plumbing or boat repair challenge, the Seapower team have the skills, gear, and local knowledge to keep you moving on the water. They can help with:

• Mechanical engineering
• Outboard sales, service & repair
• Engines & generators
• Gearboxes
• Propellers & drive shafts
• Fuel & Steering systems
• Electrical systems
• Spares & parts
• Electronic equipment
• Plumbing systems

Opua Cruising Club members and visitors alike consistently praise Seapower’s workmanship and friendly service. Whether it’s routine servicing or complex system upgrades, you’re in good hands.

Next time you’re in Opua, pop in to say hello and support the local business that keeps our boats in peak condition and helps our club community thrive!

Seapower
Unit 15 Opua Marine Estate
Baffin Street, Opua

Ph: +64 9 402 8820
Em: accounts@seapower.co.nz
www.seapower.co.nz

Last Sunday’s Opua Cruising Club ‘BBQ in the Bay’ at Motuarohia (Roberton) Island was a great success, with a solid turnout of boats and crews making the most of this beautiful and much loved Bay of Islands spot.

The weather was warm and pleasant despite a little cloud cover, and the island provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxed day ashore. An outgoing morning tide gave everyone a helpful push on the way over, while a gentle afternoon sea breeze made for an easy sail back to Opua.

On the beach, members and friends enjoyed a classic club BBQ lunch with plenty of good food, great company, and the chance to unwind and catch up — a reminder of how special these simple island gatherings can be.

The club’s next BBQ in the Bay will be on Sunday the 15th March. Watch this space for details.

Imagine challenging the world – not in a sprint, but in the longest, most daring marathon of all: circumnavigating the globe by sailboat, non-stop, without assistance, and faster than anyone ever has before. That’s the Trophée Jules Verne, a race inspired by the spirit of adventure in Jules Verne’s classic novel ‘Around the World in 80 Days’.

The Trophée Jules Verne isn’t a traditional race – it’s a challenge. Competitors choose their own departure window, set off from a defined line in the English Channel between the Créac’h Lighthouse (off Ushant) and Lizard Point (Cornwall), and attempt to sail around the world as fast as possible. The course takes them eastward, leaving the Capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn to port, before returning to the finish where they started.

This race is about pure speed and endurance, pushing both sailors and boats to their limits. It’s open to virtually any sailboat and crew size, provided the vessel can make it around the world without outside assistance.

A huge shout out goes to our now famous Opua Cruising Club member Rebeca Gmuer-Hornell who is now the fastest Kiwi to sail around the world!

This was accomplished on a 100ft trimaran as part of an 8 female crew competing in the Jules Verne Trophy. The crew went non-stop around the world in 57 days… an absolutely awesome achievement!

Well done Becs, we’re so proud of you and can’t wait for you to come home and tell us all about it!

While the weather hasn’t been playing along lately, this little moment from the water brought plenty of smiles.

Last Friday week, when Nautilas hoisted her mainsail, two tiny sparrows tumbled out from the folds – clearly not part of the plan!
With nowhere else to go, they were handed over to Opua Cruising Club member Claire Ganantchian to be cared for, and quickly became the smallest (and loudest) crew members aboard.

As the chicks needed feeding every hour, Claire had no choice but to bring them along to the Russell Tall Ship Race, proving that seamanship sometimes extends well beyond ropes and sails. The crew on Merlin even took turns caring for them, showing that teamwork at sea comes in many forms, sometimes with feathers involved.

We thought we would share this with you all as a lovely reminder that life afloat often brings the most unexpected moments, and that our sailing community is always ready to step in and help, no matter how small the crew member.