The Session- Saturday 5th September

Join us for the next “The Session” Original Music event.

WHAT IS THE EVENT ABOUT?
A Celebration of Original Bay of Islands Music filled with home-grown sound and creative energy.

“The Session” is held once a month on Saturdays from 4 pm to 7 pm and is an exciting line-up of original music composed and performed by musicians who call the region home. Just original music or an original rendition of a Covers too will do.

Designed as a platform for local artists to share new work, The Session highlights the depth of musical talent thriving across the Bay of Islands.

Audiences can expect an eclectic mix of genres, fresh compositions, and the unmistakable character that comes from music shaped by the people and landscapes of Northland.

The Session is about giving our musicians a space to be bold, to experiment, and to be heard.

There’s something special about original music performed in the place it was created. It connects the community in a way nothing else does.

The event promises an intimate, inspiring atmosphere where audiences can discover new artists, support established local performers and experience the creative pulse of the region. Music lovers and creators from across Northland are warmly invited to attend and celebrate the vibrant artistic community of the Bay of Islands.

Bay of Islands Marina is giving a brief talk at 6.30pm on Friday the 28th August for around 15 minutes. Lucky draw for either a 4 litre or 5 litre tin of antifouling paint, courtesy of Altex Coatings.

The 26/27 racing season is almost upon us!

We have an opening season fun race scheduled for 27th September with the 1st Wednesday night race set for 30th September. Before this I would like to hold a skippers meeting on Wed 23rd Sept to discuss various things, such as; Do we continue with 2 Divisions, Friday race format, Handicap system.

If you have anything to discuss, please send it to raceofficer@opuacruisingclub.co.nz. so that it can be included on the night.

Andy Vanasche
Commodore
Opua Cruising Club

Totara Vineyard Tasting Evening – Saturday 22nd August @ 6pm.

A delightful evening at Opua Cruising Club hosted by Trisha & Paulette with tastings of Totara Port, Totara Sherry, Totara Café & Totara Cream. Each tasting is paired with a delicious canapé.

Tickets are just $15 but are limited, so order yours without delay!

Mexican Night – August 1st

Live music from “Searching for Harmonies”

Prize for the best fancy dress.

Mexican style food from The Galley

Cocktail specials including Mojitos and Margaritas

Come and join the fun August 1st from 5:30pm !!

Join us at Opua Cruising Club this Friday 17th July for a fantastic evening of live music with the talented Michael Read-Percival from 6pm.

Sit back, enjoy great music, good company, and a relaxed waterfront atmosphere. Bring your friends, grab a drink or a meal, and make it a night to remember!

We’ve got the incredible evening lined up this Saturday with Charlotte ‘Rockstar’ Jones playing from 6pm. Live music, good vibes and a lively Saturday evening with friends.

Come down to Opua Cruising Club, grab a drink, have a bite to eat, settle in and enjoy 🙂

Saturday 11th July 2026
From 6:00pm @ Opua Cruising Club
Free Entry

Full bar and bistro menu available.

When the starting gun fired in Opua on 29 May, fifteen skippers set off alone across one of the world’s most demanding stretches of ocean with a common goal – to sail solo across the Tasman Sea to Southport, Queensland.

Just under twelve days later eleven remarkable sailors had completed the 1,200 nautical mile crossing, each with their own story of determination, resilience and seamanship.

The 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge delivered everything the Tasman Sea is renowned for. Competitors faced strong headwinds, heavy seas, squalls, equipment failures, frustrating calms and the relentless challenge of making every decision alone. There was little sleep, countless sail changes, endless weather analysis and the constant focus required to keep both sailor and yacht safe.

Every finisher earned enormous respect.

Congratulations to our major prize winners:

• Line Honours and first multihull: Oceans Tribute – Guy Chester
• First Monohull: Vixen Racing – Sharon Ferris-Choat
• Monohull PHRF Handicap Winner: Sarau – Malcolm Dickson
• Multihull Handicap Winner: Electron – James Foster

But the Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge has never been just about who crosses the finish line first.

It is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

This year’s fleet included sailors returning to the Tasman decades after previous adventures, beautifully restored classic yachts sailing alongside modern designs, first-time competitors fulfilling lifelong dreams and experienced offshore sailors once again testing themselves against one of the Southern Hemisphere’s great ocean passages.

Every competitor who crossed the starting line demonstrated courage. Every competitor who reached Southport achieved something few sailors will ever experience.

To those competitors who were forced to retire, your stories are every bit as much a part of this event. Making the difficult decision to withdraw when circumstances demand it is a hallmark of good seamanship, and we sincerely hope to see you back on the starting line in the future.

Behind every solo sailor is an incredible team

Although this is a solo race, nobody gets to the start alone.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the families, friends and shore crews who spent months helping prepare boats, solving problems, providing encouragement and then following every mile of the race from home.

To our Race Management team, volunteers and officials – thank you.

From inspections and registrations through to race starts, weather briefings, safety management, communications, finish coordination and prizegiving, hundreds of volunteer hours were contributed to make this event possible.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the staff and volunteers at the Opua Cruising Club and Southport Yacht Club, together with Maritime New Zealand, the Rescue Coordination Centre, Far North Coastguard and everyone who helped ensure competitors completed their voyages safely.

Thank you to our supporters

Events like the Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge simply could not happen without the generous support of our funding partners, sponsors, and supporters.

We sincerely thank:

• MBIE Major Events Fund
• Bay of Islands Marina
• Riddlez Interactive
• Fiordland Discovery
• PredictWind
• Tides Out Maps
• Calder’s Design & Print
• Quality Marine Clothing
• BOI Auto & Marine
• Flags Group
• Bay of Islands Snorkelling
• Flying Kiwi Parasail
• Doyle Sails
• Mountain Doctors
• 36° Brokers
• Bay of Islands Yacht Club
• Waterfalls Estate
• Dr Dave

Your support enabled us to deliver a safe, professionally managed international offshore yacht race while showcasing the Bay of Islands to audiences throughout New Zealand, Australia and around the world.

A community effort

The Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge belongs to more than the competitors.

It belongs to everyone who welcomed sailors into Opua during preparation, waved the fleet away from the Bay of Islands, tracked their progress across the Tasman, celebrated every arrival into Southport and joined us at the prizegiving to recognise the remarkable achievements of every skipper.

Throughout the event we were delighted by the enthusiasm shown by the local community and by the incredible online following. Race updates, videos, photographs and stories reached well over 1.5 million digital views, allowing people around the world to experience the highs, lows and triumphs of this unforgettable adventure.

Looking ahead

As one race finishes, planning for the next one has already begun.

The Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge will return in 2029, bringing another fleet of determined solo sailors together to tackle one of the world’s great offshore races.

There will undoubtedly be new boats, new competitors and new stories waiting to be written.

For now, however, we simply want to say thank you.

Thank you to every competitor who accepted the challenge.

Thank you to every volunteer who gave their time.

Thank you to every sponsor and supporter who believed in the event.

Thank you to every family member who waited anxiously for the tracker to update.

And thank you to everyone who followed along, shared our stories and celebrated the achievements of these remarkable sailors.

We’ll see you on the start line in 2029.

Opua Cruising Club is proud to feature our July Sponsor of the Month, Marine Electrics Opua.

Based in the heart of the Bay of Islands, Marine Electrics Opua provides specialist electrical services for both recreational and commercial vessels. Their work covers a wide range of onboard systems, helping boat owners keep their vessels safe, reliable, and operating efficiently on the water.

Their services include marine electrical installations, fault finding and diagnostics, rewiring projects, battery and charging system setup, solar installations, navigation and communication systems, and general electrical maintenance and repairs. Whether it’s a new installation, an upgrade, or troubleshooting an issue at sea or in the marina, they support a broad spectrum of marine electrical needs.

In addition to providing electrical services for pleasure and commercial boats, Marine Electrics Opua also offer a variety of electrical services for your campervan, caravan, food-truck, trailer boat, golf cart, RV and more. From Solar installs or upgrades, Lithium installs or upgrades, complete re-wirings, survey work, electronics, alternator assessments or replacements/repairs, and even your car for battery replacements.

With a strong focus on quality workmanship and practical solutions, Marine Electrics Opua works closely with vessel owners to ensure systems are suited to real-world cruising conditions in New Zealand and international waters.

Want to discuss your next project? Drop in and see the team at Marine Electrics Opua, Unit 11, 15 Baffin Street, Opua Marina Park, Opua. Or drop them a line:
Ph: 09 402 7177
Em: info@marineelectricsopua.co.nz
w: marineelectricsopua.co.nz