2017 Mahurangi Regatta programme
Second year as principal Mahurangi Regatta sponsor
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the regatta revival by Mahurangi Action
Regatta Day Saturday 28 January 2017
Friday Night-Race to Mahurangi
- 3 pm
- Classic A and Modern Classics
- 3.05 pm
- Classic B and Woollacott Series
- 3.10 pm
- B Division – Hyslop Cup
- 6 pm
- A Division – Barometer Trophy
- Sailing Instructions
- Anchorage note
Dog-Free Regatta: The beach and picnic area at Sullivans Bay, at all times, is off-limits to dogs, as is the grassed area at Scotts Landing, but only on the day and evening of the regatta. image Mahurangi Magazine
Mahurangi Regatta
40th anniversary of regatta revival by Mahurangi Action
159th anniversary of the first-recorded Mahurangi Regatta
Generally held at Sullivans Bay*
*In the event of strong easterly wind, sailing entries will be taken at Scotts Landing
*In the event of strong easterly wind and/or heavy rain, shoreside events will be cancelled.
Low tide 2.07 am (-1.09 m above mean level of sea)
High tide 8.28 am (1.07 m)
Low tide 2.37 pm (-0.92 m)
High tide 8.38 pm (0.96 m)
Fairway Call: Not counting the crush of boats next door in Mita—pronounced meetuh—Bay, there are at least 150 craft anchored here in Sullivans Bay, on regatta morning 2016. So it is an open call as to whether the fairway that will be marked out next Friday afternoon, to connect with the inshore fairway customarily buoyed off (in foreground), to allow craft to parade by at close quarters, will take. photographer Jill Guillemin
- 9–11.30 am
- Entries (for sailing events and log race)
- 9–11 am
- Launching of trailered boats associated with regatta, at Sullivans Bay
- 10.30 am
- Classic Launch Parade—new event, best viewed from southern half of beach
- 11 am
- Shoreside events begin—dinghy, kayak, open (sit-on) kayak, swimming, blindfold boat, lost-the-dinghy-oars, rowed inflatable etc., and any other event suggested that seems a good idea at the time! (enter by presenting at starting line)
Small Buoys on Trial in Sullivans: While it will cause some inconvenience for boats anchoring in Sullivans Bay—also known as Ōtarawao—establishing a fairway between the beach and the Mahurangi Regatta flagship, the Jane Gifford, should bring multiple benefits, including allowing for a parade of classic craft close-by the shoreline. image Auckland Council GIS | Mahurangi Magazine
- 12 pm
- The Jane Gifford assumes her station as start boat
- 12.30 am
- Master of the Mahurangi
- Sailing events commence:
- 1 pm
- Te Haupa Trophy
- 1.10 pm
- Frostbites, Mistrals and Zephers
- 1.30 pm
- A-Class, Mahurangi Cup and Traditional Spirit Trophy
- 1.50 pm
- Modern Classics
- Sailing Programme
- Sailing Instructions
- Course
- Course for strong easterlies
- Entry form
- 1 pm–2.30 pm
- Friends of Regional Parks sand sculpture. Prizes for under 7 years, 7 to 11 years, 12 to 16 years, adults—Theme: Regatta and the regional parks
- 2 pm
- Shoreside events resume—running, three-legged, sack, spud and spoon, water run, egg throwing (enter by presenting at starting line)
- 3.30 pm–4.30 pm
- Retrieval of trailered boats associated with regatta, at Sullivans Bay
- 4 pm
- Tug-of-war
- 4.15 pm
- Humongous annual egg-throwing competition
- 4.30 pm
- Lolly scramble (grand finale of shoreside events)
Mahurangi Regatta Prize-Giving and Dance
Held at Scotts Landing
New Free Shuttle Bus Signs: While the free Mahurangi Regatta shuttle bus is an absolute hit with Scotts Landing locals, automobile-age Homo sapiens sapiens, generally, is severely resistant to being extricated from behind the steering wheel until provided with irrefutable visual proof that, incredibly, no parking space has been saved for sir. image Mahurangi Magazine
Revived by Mahurangi Action in 2004 in the form of a regatta ball as the grand finale of Warkworth’s 150th celebrations, then as a prize-giving dance, the traditional format, from the following year. In 2011, ex-tropical cyclone Wilma cancelled the regatta, and in 2012 a combination of mediocre weather and a lack of financial support precluded the event, but from 2013, largely thanks to the support of the Rodney Local Board, and from 2014 with additional help from Auckland Council’s regional events fund, and finally from 2016 thanks to the long-term commitment of a significant sponsor—Teak Construction—the future of the prize-giving dance, and the regatta itself, is now secure.
Free use of gas barbecues—no ‘bar and burgers’ since 2010
There is no longer a cash bar nor burgers for sale. From 2013, the format returned to that of the prize-giving dance that prevailed before the regatta lapsed during World War II, when it was on bring-your-own basis. This makes the event much less financially risky, particularly when wild and/or wet weather intervenes, as it did, spectacularly, in 2011.
- 12 pm
- Free Scotts Landing regatta shuttle commences operation. Primary run is the two kilometres of Ridge Road between Charles Street and the landing, but the free shuttle will pick up and drop off anywhere within the Scotts Landing area: +64 27 462 4872
- 6 pm
- Pre-prize-giving trio/quartet performs
- 6.30 pm
- Shuckle Ferry departs Jamieson Bay for Scotts Landing
- 6.30 pm
- Prize-giving dance commences: West City Jazz Orchestra
- 7 pm
- Prize giving
- 8 pm
- Prize-giving dance resumes: West City Jazz Orchestra
- 9 pm
- Shuckle Ferry departs Scotts Landing for Jamieson Bay, then returns
- 11 pm
- Last dance
- 11.30 pm
- Shuckle Ferry departs Scotts Landing for final run to Jamieson Bay
- 11.50 pm
- Last run by free regatta shuttle from Scotts Landing—if need be, to Mahurangi West: +64 27 462 4872
Sunday morning Mahurangi Return Race
- 10.30 am
- Classic B and Modern B
- 11 am
- Classic A and Modern A
- Sailing Instructions
Mahurangi Regional Park and all 28 other region parks are now smoke free.
Mahurangi Regatta supporters and collaborators
Auckland Council
Browns Bay Boating Club
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club
Classic Yacht Association
Corporate AV Services
Devonport Yacht Club
Ester Electrical – Scotts Landing prize-giving-and-dance lighting
Gulf Harbour Yacht Club
Mahurangi Action—principal organiser, revived regatta in 1977
Mahurangi Cruising Club—host club and sailing organiser
Mahurangi East Residents and Ratepayers Association—co-host of prize giving and dance
Mahurangi Oyster Farmers Association
Milford Cruising Club
Nautica Shipping & Logistics
New World Warkworth
Panmure Yacht and Boating Club
Pine Harbour Cruising Club
Prestige Loos
Richmond Yacht Club
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Sandspit Yacht Club
Teak Construction—principal regatta sponsor
Weiti Boating Club
West City Jazz Orchestra
My first Kiwi regatta experience, not as a participant, but one of the Jane Gifford volunteer crew for the day. Besides the gift of great weather, some fierce sailing rivalry and the beauty of the CYA and other classics rising to the occasion, there are many, many, unsung heroes and heroines, some of whom I noted on board on the day, giving tirelessly to ensure success to this annual event. With such enthusiasm, one can see where our America’s Cup sailors are born.
I’m impressed.