Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
BOAT-REVIEWS-MOBILE
Boat Reviews
BOAT-NEWS-MOBILE
News
BOAT-SPORTS-MOBILE
Sports
BOAT-LIFESTYLE-MOBILE
Lifestyle
HomeMagazineFeatures100 and going strong

100 and going strong

Published
Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked

The Whangarei Cruising Club (WCC) celebrates its centenary this year, and as you’d expect from a facility of that vintage, it carries a rich and colourful history. Story by Lawrence Schäffler based on the memories supplied by Alf Attwood (1920 – 2009). 

Whangarei – in the early 1920s – had no clubs and few yachts of any kind. There was no organised sailing, apart from the New Year’s Day Regatta at Onerahi which attracted mainly visitors.
That all changed on 26 April 1921 following a visit by the Governor of New Zealand, Lord Jellicoe. He arrived on the government steamer – the Tutanekai – and was met by a small fleet of launches off Manganese Point and escorted to Onerahi. A fairly modest welcome.


The town fathers decided something more formal was needed and WCC was born. Arthur Pickmere – a man who understood the value of sailing and seamanship – was the founding Commodore. Comprising just a handful of seven-footers (the club’s first class of racing yachts) these were indeed humble beginnings. But it was a start.
As with many of our early yacht clubs, money was tight. The first clubhouse was an old hall sourced from Whakapara. It cost £30 and on 14 Nov 1921 it was moved to a half-acre site (a mangrove swamp) leased from the Harbour Board for 1 Guinea/year for 99 years. The first AGM had been held two months earlier. It attracted about 40 members who promptly established the club’s flag – a blue triangle with a white diagonal cross. Subscriptions were £1 a year.


Research into the club’s early activities reveals a cast of larger-than-life characters who left a lasting legacy. William (Bill) Fraser, for example, was the Whangarei Harbour Board engineer. He is responsible for today’s winding, scenic channel from Kissing Point to the marina – he could have decided on a bland, straight channel. He also released a flock of shags into the area to contain the eels he believed were eating too many young flounder. In 1923 he was made WCC’s first life member.


Skipper Paterson was another. He owned a fleet of tugs and his Rakanui would tow a large barge – Big Tree – transporting fuel from Auckland. A visionary with a good heart, he bought land at Manganese Point and turned it into a leisure park.
The site included a wharf and a dancing hall, with swings and a large slide for the kids. On hot, summer Sundays he’d transport parents and children down the harbour to Manganese Point for picnics at a cost of 2/6. There were races, tug-of-war, lolly scrambles and various sports. He also ran moonlight cruises.
A WCC yacht – a 14ft Z Class – represented the club for the first time in a provincial regatta in the 1934-35. The ladies did a great job (by organising dances and cake stalls) to raise the required funds.
Of course, things didn’t always go smoothly. In 1938 a site further up the Hatea River became the outlet for the Whangarei Borough sewage – pumped into the outgoing tide. That was the end of pipi collections at Limeburners Creek. Worse, the Town Basin and harbour were contaminated with paper and condoms hanging from the mangrove branches and mooring lines. The solids drifting around the boats were called ‘moon fish’. It finally ended in 1966. Phew!

- Advertisement -


Still, progress was steady. Interest in Skipper Paterson’s leisure park began to wane and in 1939 he gave WCC a piece of the land to promote sailing among the youth. Members soon built a bunkhouse and it was well used. Most of the yachts were Star Class, Idle Alongs, Z Class and 14-footers. It encouraged independence among younger sailors – they would go away for the weekend, sailing longer races, camping and fishing.
After the WWII lull things once again moved forward. The old clubhouse piles had rotted. They were replaced by concrete foundations and bearers, with new timber floor joists, bottom plates and flooring. A new roof – along with septic tanks and toilets – was added.
In 1949 the club leased some land below Orams Boatyard (where the Anchor Inn is now) – it became the launching site for the fleet of 28 7-footers. A working bee resulted in the construction of a new slipway – it was also used by the Whangarei Speed Boat Club. WCC gave up the lease in 1955, opting instead for a new lease at Kissing Point. A year later the P Class fleet moved there.

Barney’s Barrell
The 1950s also marked a resurgence in ‘adventure sailing’ – thanks to Barney Finch. He was the founder of ‘Barney’s Barrel’. He’d joined the club in the 1920s and was Commodore from 1944-48. He was unwavering in his support of WCC and served it for half a century.
In the 1950s many felt the ‘culture’ of sailing had changed for the worse. Barney’s Barrel was Barney’s fix – a fun race to recreate old-style social events. Starting at 12h30 on Saturdays, the crews jumped into their dinghies and rowed out to their yachts, upped anchors and headed for the start line.
One yacht volunteered to carry the keg of beer for the evening’s entertainment at Limestone Island. A beach bonfire included a meal of pipis, mussels, sausages and steak, all cooked on sheets of cast iron.

P-Class is born
One of the most celebrated events in WCC’s history is the birth of the 7-foot P Class dinghy. Its origins date back to the Onerahi Regatta on New Year’s Day 1920, when the prototype of this now iconic dinghy was launched, to considerable amusement. Who’d ever seen a ‘model’ yacht sailed by a grown man?
It was designed and built by Harry Highet, a draftsman in Whangarei’s Public Works Department, but also a sailor and experienced boatbuilder. Dressed in white ‘ducks’ complete with yachting cap and smoking his pipe (as usual) Harry debuted his little boat, Mascot.


Despite the laughter, the idea of a small, unsinkable trainer appealed to Arthur Pickmere. He could see it would be perfect for young people learning to sail. Arthur asked Harry to build a boat for his son, Hereward.
Halcyon was launched in November 1920. Fitted with a 15-foot marconi rig her first sail wasn’t a great success – she capsized in a southwesterly gale, suffering broken crosstrees and damaged boom fittings. Hereward spent three days repairing her. But the first P Class Race (three entrants) was held in 1922 – featuring H. Highet, H. Pickmere and T. Hollows.
After much experimentation with Halcyon’s rig Harry designed a simpler one-design – easier to build and rig – and after further improvements his fourth boat – Firefly – became the prototype for the Class. Several more were built before Harry was transferred to Tauranga, taking the design with him. There the class took off and became known as the Tauranga Class Yacht. Today it is used by thousands of learner sailors.

The Modern Era
WCC’s history is split across two clubhouses. Its original headquarters shifted from the Town Basin to Kissing Point, where the new clubhouse was opened in 1959. Twenty years later, in 1979, additional club rooms were established at Parua Bay, catering for trailer and centreboard yachts.
Since then the club has enjoyed numerous modifications and adjustments – all characteristics of a vibrant, dynamic fratenity. Congratulations Whangarei Cruising Club – enjoy the celebrations.

SHARE:

Related Articles

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

Boating New Zealand
Boating New Zealandhttps://www.boatingnz.co.nz
Boating NZ is New Zealand’s premier marine title devoted to putting its readers behind the wheel of the latest trailerboats, yachts and launches to hit the market. It inspires with practical content and cruising adventures, leads the fleet with its racing coverage and is on the pulse of the latest maritime news and innovation.

More from Boating New Zealand

What? Mermaiding at a boat sho...

At first glance, Düsseldorf might seem an unlikely location for a major boa...
Boat of the Year AwardsBoat Show Previews & HighlightsBoater Involvement in Conservation

Riding The Storm: The Vendée G...

How skippers are navigating storms, strategy, and sheer resilience as the V...
Race Day ReportsVendee Globe - Round The World Yacht Race

Undersea Vigilance: Britain mo...

UK intensifies efforts to safeguard critical undersea cables as a Russian s...
News

From Borneo to Japan: 2024 was...

With a year full of highs, challenges, and unforgettable adventures, the cr...
Following On YoutubeNews

Sally Garret: at the helm of c...

The second Yachting New Zealand & SheSails NZ Top Female Helm Trophy, t...
Bay of Islands Sailing Week - Racing ResultsEvents & GatheringsFlying Fifteens

Lieutenant Emma Barry: A role ...

Lieutenant Emma Barry of the British Royal Navy has captured the sailing wo...
Bay of Islands Sailing Week - Racing ResultsEvents & GatheringsSports Artices
-- ADVERTISEMENT --

Follow Us

Weekly Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest developments shaping New Zealand's Boating world.

Social Media

Follow us on social media to stay in the loop with the latest trends and news shaping New Zealand's boating scene!

-- THINGS WE LOVE --

GET
STARLINK
HERE

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar

Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.

Catch all the action of the Vendée Globe Race, starting 10 Nov, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.

FISHING

White Pointer Boats 30th Anniversary Fishing Comp, 5 - 8 Feb 2025 in Waihau Bay

Makaira Trailer Boat Competition, 25 & 26 Jan 2025 in Whangaroa

Stabicraft Fish N Chicks Tournament, 6 - 8 Feb 2025 in Tauranga. Dress up theme is “Ladies of their Time”. Raising funds to help find a cure for Breast Cancer.

Surtees Annual Fishing Competition, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga

ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa

NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide

Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, 25 - 27 Oct 2025 TBC in Te Anau Manapouri

REGATTAS

Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2024 starts in Sydney, Australia

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 18 & 19 Jan 2025 in Auckland

Bay of Islands Sailing Week, 21 - 24 Jan 2025 at Bay of Islands

NZ Millenium Cup, 1 - 4 Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour

Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland

PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour

PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell

NZ Match Racing Championships, 2025 dates tbc in Auckland

HYDRO THUNDER

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Mangakino, 18 & 19 Jan 2025 at Mangakino

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Karapiro, 7 - 9 Feb 2025 at Karapiro

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Rotoiti, 8 - 9 Mar 2025 at Nelson Lakes

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Twizel, 29 - 30 Mar 2025 at Twizel

JET BOAT RACING

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R2, 1 Dec 2024 at Featherston

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R3, 27 Dec 2024 at Wanganui

UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R4, 23 Feb 2025 at Wanganui

2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch

2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 2025 dates TBC on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)

National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 2025 date TBC at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)

WATERSPORTS

Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 2025 dates tbc Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand

NON-MOTORISED SPORT

Waka Ama - 2025 National Sprint Championships, 12 - 18 Jan 2025 at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge

Waka Ama - 2025 Secondary School Nationals, 24 - 28 Mar 2025 at Lake Tikitapu, Rotorua

ANTIQUE, CLASSIC & RETRO BOATS

25th NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show , 1 & 2 Mar 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes

SHOWS

Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

International Boat Shows

COMING EVENTS

Boot Düsseldorf 18 - 26 Jan 2025 to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany

New York Boat Show, 22 - 26 Jan 2025 to be held at the Javits Center, New York

Bahamas Charter Yacht Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at Nassau, Bahamas

Houston Boat Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at the NRG Center, Houston, Texas

Dubai International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Feb 2025 to be held at the Dubai Harbour

Miami International Boat Show, 12 - 16 Feb 2025 to be held in Miami

Palm Beach International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Mar 2025 to be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach

International Multihull Show, 23 - 27 Apr 2025 to be held in Terre-plein Ouest du port La Grande-Motte (34), France

Palma International Boat Show, 30 Apr - 3 May 2025 to be held at the Superyacht Village, Palma, Spain

Barcaly's Jersey Boat Show, 3 - 5 May 2025 to be held in the Channel Islands

South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, 9 - 11 May 2025 to be held in Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The British Motor Yacht Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 to be held at the Swanwick Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Sanctuary Cove International Boat show, 22 - 25 May 2025 to be held in Sanctuary Cove, Queensland

Sydney International Boat show, 31 July - 3 Aug 2025 to be held at ICC Sydney & Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

Hiswa Te Water, 3 - 7 Nov 2025 to be held in Bataviahaven Lelystad, The Netherlands

Southampton International Boat Show, 19 - 28 Sep 2025 to be held in Southampton, UK

International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), 7 - 9 Oct 2025 to be held in Tampa, Florida

Annapolis Sail Boat Show, 9 - 13 Oct 2025 to be held at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland

Newport International Boat Show, 20 - 23 Nov 2025 to be held in Newport, Rhode Island

Cannes Yachting Festival, 9 - 14 Sep 2025 at Cannes – Vieux Port & Port Canto

Genoa Boat Show, 18 - 23 Sep 2025 to be held in Genoa, Italy

Melbourne International Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held at New Quay Promenade Harbour Esplanade Seven Marinas

Biograd Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held in the City of Biograd, Croatia

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 to be held at several locations in Fort Lauderdale

METSTRADE 18 - 20 Nov 2025 to be held at the Rai, Amsterdam

Antigua Charter Yacht Show 4 - 9 Dec 2025 to be held at the Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua

Monaco Yacht Show, 24 - 27 Sep 2025 on Monacco