Inaugural Manly O'pen Skiff Regattapalooza breaks the mold on traditional junior regattas
by New Zealand O'pen Skiff Association 19 Mar 06:18 UTC
19 March 2024
Manly O'pen Skiff Regattapalooza 2024 © Kelly Peters / Manly Sailing Club
When 50 Junior sailors from around the country descended upon the Manly Sailing Club at the end of January for a three-day regatta, they didn't quite know what to expect.
Since this was the first Regattapalooza (i.e. Sailing Party), the canvas was blank for an experience to be defined by fun, positive attitude, sportsmanship, perseverance, new friendships, and the development of sailing skills.
Barry Thom, Manly Sailing Club Commodore, said, "Departing from the narrow lanes on traditional junior regatta protocols - Regattapalooza was a celebration of sailing."
These sailors, traveling from as far as the South Island, enjoyed an incredible three-days of racing on exciting slalom courses incorporating boat handling maneuvers like stand-up sailing and capsizing as well as double-up adventure racing through the Bridge of Doom, beach games, a team quiz competition, limbo contest, and evening family barbeques.
Kirsten Moratz, Coach Development Manager at Yachting New Zealand said, "So cool to see nearly 50 skiffs out on the water for a brand new type of regatta that's just focused on fun. It clearly fills a demand, and it was awesome to have such a varied level of skills present, from learn to sailors to sailors who are competing internationally in the skiff. I hope other clubs are inspired to put on similar events around the country."
One of the many success stories coming out of the weekend was with a group of five sailors new to the O'pen Skiff traveling to the event from Queen Charlotte Yacht Club (QCYC). Hooked on these fast and fun boats, they are planning to come back to Manly in April for the 2024 O'pen Skiff National Championships. See you next year over Auckland Anniversary Day weekend for the 2nd Annual Manly O'pen Skiff Regattapalooza!
See the final results here and here