This year’s event, with perfect conditions of clear skies and a light southerly breeze, saw 45 vessels registered by race morning, with many more last-minute entries adding to the fleet. While the regatta is undoubtedly a celebration of sail, it’s also an exciting race, albeit with a healthy dose of fun, ensuring participants of all skill levels enjoy a thrilling day on the water.
The regatta boasts a unique structure, with three divisions catering to a wide range of vessels. The Tall Ships division, for example, is reserved for monohull vessels over 30 feet in length with two or more masts. These majestic vessels, which often feature square rigging or fore-and-aft rigs, dominate the event’s waters with their grandeur. The Classic Invitation division highlights historic, classic vessels, showcasing the timeless beauty of traditional yacht design. Meanwhile, the All Comers division opens the race to any sailing vessel, whether monohull or multihull, provided they meet the minimum length of 22 feet on deck.
One of the standout moments of the day came when the starting signal was fired from the Russell wharf. From there, the fleet sailed into the crystal-clear waters of the Bay of Islands, racing along a course that varied depending on the division. While the Tall Ships division featured the longest course, with distances reaching up to 15 nautical miles, the race itself was never just about the finish line. For many, it’s the experience and tradition that come with participating in such a historic event that make the regatta a true highlight of the summer.
Among the notable entries was the R Tucker Thompson, a 60-foot gaff-rigged topsail schooner. This majestic vessel, used as a youth training ship, was a crowd favourite.
New to the regatta this year was the Tokanui Sailing Trust’s waka hourua, an impressive double-hulled traditional Māori sailing vessel. The crew, most of whom had never sailed under traditional sails before, entered the race as part of their journey to embrace the challenges and thrills of New Zealand’s maritime history. Though their goal was not to win, their presence brought a unique and balancing element to the competition, reflecting the diverse spirit of the event.
After the race, the fun continued back at the Russell Boating Club’s clubhouse, where the prize-giving ceremony was followed by a traditional hāngī. The smells of roast meats filled the air as the local community and competitors alike gathered to share in the feast. With two bands providing music, one acoustic and one rock, the celebrations stretched long into the night, cementing the regatta’s place as one of the Bay of Islands’ most anticipated maritime events.
The waka isn’t a traditional maori canoe – it was built by Salthouse yard in Auckland out of fibreglass for a German organisation (Okeanos) that used identical canoes as film props for a movie (and then ‘gifted’ them to various Pacific islands – most of which ended up in NZ because they are too expensive and difficult to fix in the Islands)