It’s Party Time at Opua Cruising Club!

Join us for the Commodore’s Beach Party on Saturday 5 December from 6pm!

Dig out your best Hawaiian shirt, beachwear or tropical fancy dress and get ready for a fantastic evening of fun, live music and complimentary nibbles!

• Fancy dress encouraged!
• Live music
• Complimentary nibbles

Come along, catch up with friends and celebrate the start of summer in true Opua Cruising Club style!

See you there!

Calling all women who love the water!

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced sailor keen to share your skills, join us at Opua Cruising Club for Women on Water!

Starting Tuesday 10th November, this six-week sailing programme is a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, gain confidence on the water, make new friends and have plenty of fun along the way!

Everyone welcome – no experience necessary!

Spaces are limited, so contact Terry Dunn on 021 152 7584 to book your place.

Melbourne Cup Fun at Opua Cruising Club! 🏆

Get dressed up, grab your friends and join us for an afternoon of racing, bubbles and fun on Tuesday 3rd November!

👗 Prizes for Best Dressed Male, Best Dressed Female and Best Fascinator

🍴 Delicious nibbles

🏇 Join in the sweepstake and try your luck!

⏰ Club opens at 4pm, race starts at 5pm.

Whether you’re there for the racing, the fashion or just a great afternoon with friends, we’d love to see you!

Everyone welcome – see you at the club!

The Great Opua Raft Race is coming!

For an entry form and list of race rules
click here >>

We have a new caller – come along this Thursday at 7.30pm.

The club’s bar and bistro will be open throughout the evening from 4.30pm.

Open Mic Night at Opua Cruising Club! Saturday 2^nd May at 6pm.

Join us for a relaxed evening of live music, great vibes, and local talent. Drum kit and PA provided, bring along any other instruments you’d like to play.
The club’s bar and bistro will be open throughout the evening.

Whether you’re performing or just enjoying the show, come along and enjoy a great evening.

The Opua Cruising Club Car Park

The Opua Cruising Club car park is for the use of members, guests & visitors to the club. Please note, overnight parking is not encouraged.

If you must leave your vehicle overnight because it would be unsafe for you to drive home. You must collect your vehicle as soon as possible the next day.

Any vehicle left in the car park long term may be towed away at the owner’s expense.

The Dinghy Dock

If you are tying your dinghy to the OCC Dock please be respectful of other users. If you are chaining your dinghy to the dock, please leave line long enough so others can get in. We want everyone to be able to use dock safely.

Thank you and Seasons Greetings to everyone from the OCC Committee.

Martin first started his sailing career at Bay of Islands College and I first raced against him sailing Cherubs at BOI Yacht Club in the mid 70’s.

We crossed paths again when he owned a farm west of Moerewa, where we went gathering a truck load of volcanic rocks. From there he went to manage the Averil Court Motel in Paihia and reacquainted himself with sailing. Firstly, crewing on Dave Krebs’s “Black Magic” and Ray Lemon’s “Gambler” in two Coastal Classics.

Martin then bought the Ross 780 “Screw Loose” and racing at Opua was never the same again. On “Screw Loose’’ he competed in two more Coastal Classics with his brother Peter, when in one race, they won the “Cockle Shell” Trophy for the smallest finisher.

The other race was affected by a severe overnight storm, when he took shelter at Kauwau Island only to venture out at the height of the blow. I heard a Pan Pan call go out in the middle of the night and immediately thought it was him… but no it was the OCC Commodore at the time, up on Mangawhai Beach!

Other accomplishments on “Screw Loose” were winning the Russell Cup.

His next boat was a classic, Peter Burling’s Elliot 5.9 “Icebreaker” which Martin, David Krebs and I raced against in the E5.9 NZ Champs in “Frivolous Fish”. “Ice Breaker” was very competitive with Martin’s daughter, Tanya and Mike Levings crewing.

Martin Clark 1955 – 2025

The following boat Martin owned was the green machine “Vertigo”, a tricky yacht to sail but Martin made it look easy, always competitive. At this stage, he was driving up from Whangarei every Wednesday to race, along with his support crew Karen and Lucie.

Martin was a real expert on yacht racing rules… most of which, he made up as required, but he delivered them with such confidence, no one ever argued.

He was a great Club member, a two year stint as treasurer and lots of meals from The Galley and rum across the bar.

We miss him dearly and know he is on a perfect reach to the next mark in a twenty knot breeze!

Andy Vanasche
Vice Commodore