Yacht Racing

Our Sailing Programme

Opua Cruising Club offers a lively and welcoming sailing programme throughout the summer season, with regular keelboat racing on Wednesday and Friday evenings during daylight saving hours, from September through to April.

Wednesday Evening Racing

Wednesday evenings feature A and B Division racing, with boats carrying spinnakers and gennakers. Racing starts at 6.00 pm and offers plenty of excitement and friendly competition on the water.

Friday Evening Racing

Friday evenings are a little more relaxed, with pursuit racing designed to encourage a fun and social atmosphere. Boats race with mainsail and jib only, with the first boats starting at 5.30 pm.

The start line for both evenings is directly off the clubhouse, providing a great vantage point for spectators. Course sheets are available from the Club office.

New Boats and Crew Welcome!

We’re always delighted to welcome new boats and sailors to our racing programme. Whether you’re an experienced sailor, a complete beginner keen to give sailing a try, or visiting the Bay of Islands on holiday, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved as crew. Contact the Club office to find out more.

Interclub Racing and Social Cruising

Throughout the summer, we also enjoy interclub racing with Kerikeri and Russell sailing clubs, generally held on Sundays. These events bring together sailors from across the Bay of Islands for some friendly competition.

For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, the Club also organises social cruises and BBQ outings for yachts and launches throughout the summer.

Full details of upcoming races, interclub events and social outings can be found in the OCC Events Calendar.

VHF Channel – OCC radio channel is 77.

For all racing enquires, contact our Race Officer raceofficer@opuacruisingclub.co.nz 

2026 / 27 Racing Season

For Course Sheets, Maps and Sailing Instructions including Rum Race sailing instructions please click here.

2026 / 27 Race Results

For all the latest results please visit our race results page.

Protests and Requests for Redress

All skippers and crew involved in racing should familiarise themselves with this Information on Protests and Requests for Redress.  While yacht racing is all about having fun, there are still rules to be followed to ensure safe and fair racing for all.  Please download and read this information so you are familiar with the process to be followed if you do find yourself in a protest situation.  You can download the protest form here.

Race entry forms

You can enter online by completing the form below or you can download the race entry form as a pdf version here

If you're not sure of your sail number, try the Boat Search function on the Yachting NZ website. http://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/racing/boat-search

2026/27 Race Fees

$120 covers all club races for the season or per Race Entry Fee option (payable in advance): member $10 per race, non-member $15.

Payment - Cash/EFTPOS – please hand payment to bar staff or Club Secretary with your completed form. Alternatively, you can pay by Direct Credit – to a/c Opua Cruising Club, ASB - 12- 3102 - 0016955 - 000. Please include your Surname in the ‘Code’ section and your Boat Name in the ‘Reference. Post or deliver form to office or bar.

I am paying by: *
Race fees are $100 for the year or $10 per race, payable in advance. Payment details will be emailed to you after you submit this form. Each boat shall be entered by the owner or skipper who is a full financial member of OCC or a club recognised by the entrant’s national authority. The committee reserves the right to exclude results of boats that have not paid the appropriate entry fee.
Please tick the box to confirm you have read and understand the declaration.