With entries now closed, we’re excited to confirm that 18 skippers will line up for the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge, departing from Opua at midday on 30 May. As the organising authority, Opua Cruising Club (OCC) will for the first time, be at the heart of this iconic event and we’d love to see as many members as possible involved in the lead-up and send-off.

This year’s fleet is a fantastic mix of experience, ambition, and personality. From seasoned ocean racers to first-time solo competitors, each skipper brings their own story to the start line and together they make up a truly special group.

Proudly Representing OCC

We’re especially proud to have four OCC boats in the fleet:

• Terry Dunn – Marara
  Our own Commodore, Terry, will take on his first major solo offshore passage aboard the much-loved S&S 34 Marara. With a lifetime of sailing experience and around 40,000 offshore miles (mostly crewed), Terry represents the heart and spirit of OCC—steady, capable, and quietly determined.
• Bill Kidman – Pretty Boy Floyd
  A lifelong sailor with experience across everything from dinghies to multihulls, Bill will be pushing his Ross 12m hard across the Tasman. For him, it’s about both personal challenge and representing his club on the international stage.
• Malcolm Dickson – Sarau
  The defending champion returns for his fourth Solo Trans-Tasman and he means business. Malcolm brings unmatched experience, including a win in the last race and podium finishes stretching back decades. Don’t expect him to take it easy.
• Peter Nobbs – Smoko
  A highly accomplished solo sailor, Peter has completed solo circumnavigations of New Zealand and even a short-course solo circumnavigation of the globe. For Peter, this race is as much about pacing himself as it is about performance and enjoying the journey.

Meet the Wider Fleet

Beyond our OCC contingent, the broader fleet is just as compelling:

• Samantha McGrath – Star Path
  With over 15,000 offshore miles, Sam has sailed from the Pacific to the edges of the Southern Ocean. Her campaign is driven by a deep personal connection to the sea and a love of solo sailing.
• Doug Esterman – Fair Seasons
  After more than 12,000 miles on the water, Doug is stepping into his first solo offshore race. A new challenge, a new chapter—and the journey begins here.
• Glen Jeffery – Wave
  A hugely experienced sailor with multiple Tasman crossings and offshore campaigns under his belt, Glen returns with quiet confidence and a deep understanding of the ocean.
• Peter Elkington – Pacman
  A veteran of multiple Sydney to Hobarts, Peter combines performance and reliability in his Young 11 as he takes on a new solo challenge.
• Guy Chester – Oceans Tribute
  One of the most experienced sailors in the fleet, with over 120,000 nautical miles and solo circumnavigations to his name. His Crowther trimaran will be one of the fastest—and most exciting—boats to watch.
• Peter Bourke – Diablo
  Sailing one of the smallest boats in the fleet, Peter brings determination and proven endurance, having recently completed a solo circumnavigation of New Zealand.
• James Foster – Electron
  Another multihull entry, James brings over 20,000nm of short-handed experience. Managing speed and endurance will be key aboard his Mumby 48 catamaran.
• Richard Grant – Magellan
  With more than 50 years of sailing and a recent double-handed Melbourne to Osaka campaign (with his daughter), Richard brings depth, discipline, and experience.
• Kevin Le Poidevin – Roaring Forty
  A serious offshore competitor with global solo experience, including a 13,000nm non-stop passage. Kev will be one to watch for line honours—and is also racing for important causes.
• Sharon Ferris-Choat – Vixen Racing
  A standout in the fleet, Sharon’s résumé includes the Olympics and Volvo Ocean Race. Her Class 40 campaign brings a high-performance edge to the race.
• Richard Raea – Baker Street
  A previous Solo Trans-Tasman competitor, Richard returns with experience, perspective, and a love of the adventure as much as the competition.
• Graeme Francis – Robbery
  Back for his third crossing, Graeme brings resilience and long-term commitment to the race, with nearly four decades between his first and latest campaigns.
• Geoff Thorn – Catnip
  A strong performer in the 2018 race (4th place), Geoff returns with unfinished business and extensive offshore experience.
• Ben Ball – Camellia
  Celebrating a personal milestone, Ben is marking his and his boat’s 50th year with this long-held ambition—bringing a deep personal connection to the campaign.

What to Expect

With such a diverse fleet, the race will unfold at very different paces. The fastest boats could reach Australia in as little as four to five days, while others may take ten to twelve days—each skipper facing their own race across the Tasman.

Get Involved – Be Part of It

All boats and skippers will be in Opua for the two weeks leading up to the start, and this is where OCC members can really get involved.

We’ll be hosting a range of social events at the club, giving everyone a chance to meet the skippers, hear their stories, and soak up the atmosphere.

There will also be an Open Day at Opua Wharf on Sunday 24 May—a great opportunity to get up close to the boats, chat with the sailors, and bring friends and family along.

Whether it’s lending a hand, coming along to events, or simply being part of the send-off, your support makes a real difference.

A Shared Adventure

The Solo Trans-Tasman is more than just a race it’s a test of preparation, resilience, and spirit. And while each skipper will head off alone, the journey begins here, with the support of the OCC community behind them.

Let’s get in behind the fleet and make this an unforgettable event for Opua.

Entries have now officially closed for the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge and what a fleet we have.

From seasoned offshore veterans to first-time solo adventurers, and from classic monohulls to high-performance multihulls, this year’s lineup showcases the true spirit of offshore sailing: diversity, determination, and a shared willingness to take on the Tasman alone.

We’re proud to see strong representation from both sides of the Tasman, with competitors from across New Zealand and Australia, and a particularly strong contingent from our very own Opua Cruising Club.

A Diverse and Dynamic Fleet

This year’s fleet ranges from compact, proven offshore designs like the S&S 34s, through to powerful ocean racers, including Class 40s and Open 40s, and even multihulls, bringing a different dimension to the race.

Boats span from 8.7m to nearly 17m in length, with sailors aged from their late 40s through to their 70s, proof that offshore ambition has no age limit.

We’ll see:

• Classic offshore pedigree (S&S, Cav, Sparkman & Stephens)
• Modern performance racers (Class 40, Open 40)
• Custom builds and one-offs
• Multihulls adding speed and tactical variation

It’s a fleet that promises fascinating racing and even better stories.

Meet the Skippers

Here’s a snapshot of the sailors taking on the Tasman:

Doug Esterman – Fair Seasons

A Tauranga sailor with a lifetime on the water and over 12,000 offshore miles. This will be Doug’s first solo offshore race—“the journey begins.”

Samantha (Sam) McGrath – Star Path

Based in Tasmania, Sam brings over 15,000 miles of experience, from Pacific passages to the Southern Ocean. A passionate offshore sailor chasing a long-held dream.

Tobias Swanson – Tevake 2

Representing Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Tobias campaigns a powerful Radford 13.7—one to watch in the performance stakes.

Glen Jeffery – Wave

An exceptionally experienced Kiwi offshore sailor with multiple Tasman crossings, Fiji races, and Round North Island campaigns under his belt.

Bill Kidman – Pretty Boy Floyd

Flying the Opua Cruising Club flag, Bill’s Ross 12m is a well-known local contender.

Peter Elkington – Pacman

Dual-club Australian entry bringing strong offshore pedigree in a proven Young 11 design.

Malcolm Dickson – Sarau

A true OCC stalwart sailing a striking Dickson 55—one of the largest boats in the fleet.

Peter Nobbs – Smoko

Another OCC local, bringing steady experience in his B&G 36.

Guy Chester – Oceans Tribute

One of the fleet’s multihulls—a Crowther trimaran that will bring speed and tactical intrigue.

Peter Bourke – Diablo

A compact but capable Sparkman & Stephens design—classic offshore DNA.

James Foster – Electron

A Mumby 48 catamaran adding serious pace to the multihull division.

Terry Dunn – Marara

Sailing the ever-reliable S&S 34—one of the most respected offshore designs in history.

Richard Grant – Magellan

Tasmanian competitor in a Knoop 39, bringing offshore experience across the ditch.

Kevin Le Poidevin – Roaring Forty

Campaigning a former BOC Open 40—built for exactly this kind of challenge.

Sharon Ferris-Choat – Vixen Racing

A standout Kiwi competitor in a Class 40—professional, fast, and highly competitive.

Richard Raea – Baker Street

Northland-based sailor representing Kerikeri with a well-prepared Sweden 340.

Graeme Francis – Robbery

A seasoned New Plymouth sailor in a Wilson 36.

Geoff Thorn – Catnip

A proven Beneteau First 45 bringing both comfort and performance.

Ben Ball – Camellia

Racing a Cav 36, representing SSANZ and adding depth to the Kiwi fleet.

Don’t Miss the Action

The countdown is now on.

Race Start: 30 May, 12:00pm
Departing Opua, heading across the Tasman

But the excitement starts well before the gun.

Festivities kick off Saturday 23 May
With a special Andrew Fagan live show at the Club—a perfect way to launch race week.

Follow the Race

All boats will be fitted with trackers, so members and supporters can follow every mile of the journey across the Tasman.

This is more than a race—it’s a test of seamanship, resilience, and spirit. And with such a diverse fleet, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the most compelling yet.

We look forward to seeing you at the Club to support the skippers as they prepare to take on one of offshore sailing’s great challenges.

More info https://www.solo-tasman.co.nz/

The magic is coming to Opua Cruising Club!

We’ve got the incredible Ngati Soul bringing his signature sound to the waterfront — think laid-back live music, good vibes and an easy Sunday evening with friends.

Come down, grab a drink, settle in and enjoy 🙂

Sunday 24 May 2026
From 6:00pm @ Opua Cruising Club
Free Entry

Full bar and bistro menu available.

Coming to Opua Cruising Club on Saturday, 23rd of May, join Andrew Fagan for ‘Time and Tide’ – a captivating evening of storytelling, live music, poetry, and a powerful visual journey sharing the raw reality of solo sailing in a 5.1 metre yacht.

Tickets are just $15 available at the Opua Cruising Club. The club’s bar and the Galley Bistro will be open.

The Opua Cruising Club Easter BBQ Cruise was a small event this year. The weather hasn’t been great – indeed, at the time of writing, another weather bomb is due to make landfall this evening with warnings to expect 90 to 120 mm of rain and possible thunderstorms.

Still, despite the low turnout, a small group of regulars had a tasty BBQ at Indico Bay with only a brief shower of rain and a pleasant walk staying on Urupukapuka the following morning.

We hope everyone had a good Easter.

Opua Cruising Club is proud to shine the spotlight on our April Sponsor of the Month, Great Escape Sailing.

Discover the Bay of Islands with Great Escape Sailing Sail-Yourself Yachts

For over 20 years, Great Escape Sailing has been helping people experience the magic of sailing in the Bay of Islands. Based in Opua, this well-established sailing school and yacht charter company offers unforgettable on-the-water adventures for beginners and experienced sailors alike.

Whether you’re looking to learn the ropes, build confidence as a skipper, or simply enjoy the freedom of exploring under sail, Great Escape Sailing provides a unique way to experience one of the world’s great cruising destinations.

Learn, Sail, Explore

Great Escape Sailing specialises in hands-on sailing experiences that combine learning with adventure. Their offerings include:

• Learn-to-sail courses for complete beginners
• “Learn then sail yourself” adventures
• Private sailing experiences with your own instructor
• Bareboat yacht charters for experienced sailors
• Skill-building courses for those looking to advance

With a fleet of well-maintained Kiwi yachts and personalised instruction, you can go from novice to confidently sailing your own vessel in just a few days.

Experience You Can Trust

Great Escape Sailing is an accredited sailing school with certified instructors who bring thousands of miles of offshore and coastal experience. Their passion for sailing and deep local knowledge of the Bay of Islands ensure every trip is not only safe but truly memorable.

All experiences are tailored to your group, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace while exploring secluded bays, sheltered anchorages, and some of New Zealand’s most stunning coastal scenery.

Your Sailing Adventure Starts Here

Whether you’re a local looking to build skills or a visitor wanting to experience the Bay from a different perspective, Great Escape Sailing offers something truly special.

Supporting local marine and tourism operators like Great Escape Sailing helps keep our vibrant boating community strong and thriving.

Step aboard, embrace the adventure, and discover why so many people fall in love with sailing in the Bay of Islands.

Since coming under new ownership in December 2025, Great Escape Sailing has celebrated a successful summer season alongside its long-standing team of instructors and is looking forward to building on that success in the future. The new owners, Chris and Erena, warmly welcome anyone who would like to get in touch or chat in person, by phone or email – call 021 2GR8 ESC (021 2 478 372), email info@greatescape.co.nz, or visit www.greatescape.co.nz.

Great Escape Sailing
W10 Main Wharf
Bay of Islands Marina
Beechey St, Opua

We Have Our Winners!

After receiving nearly 60 amazing entries, we’re thrilled to announce the winner of our Opua Cruising Club Wedding Venue Giveaway!

A huge congratulations to our lucky couple, Sefa and Anapela. We can’t wait to help bring your special day to life here at the club. Set right on the water’s edge in the stunning Bay of Islands, it’s a truly unforgettable place to say “I do.”

To everyone who entered, thank you so much for sharing your stories with us. We were blown away by the love, creativity, and heartfelt entries.

If you missed out this time, don’t worry, our venue is still one of Northland’s most beautiful and affordable waterfront wedding locations, perfect for everything from intimate gatherings to celebrations with up to 200 guests.

Get in touch to find out more about hosting your own special day at Opua Cruising Club.

This year’s Opua Cruising Club Easter Cruise will kick off on Good Friday at 5pm with a BBQ at Indico Bay on Urupukapuka Island.

Once we’re all there and well fed, the assembled group can then discuss what they plan to do for the next couple of days.

Look forward to seeing you all there!