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Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta

Monday 30 January 2012

A fabulous day on the water is promised as Auckland's Waitemata Harbour comes alive in one of the world's biggest one-day Regattas.

January 30 2012 is Auckland’s Anniversary Day celebrating the founding of the province. And to commemorate the day, one of the world’s single biggest one day sailing regattas will take place – 172 years after the first one back in 1840, with a glorious spectacle featuring the vintage superstars of the past and the high tech heralds of the future,.

The Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta attracts a huge fleet of vessels including, tall ships, gaff riggers, sloops, racing keelers, multi-hulls, sailing dinghies, radio controlled boats, waka ama, elegant sea scout craft, perfectly restored classic yachts, an armada of over 20 vintage tugboats and America’s Cup prototypes.

It’s a great day out for sailors and thousands of spectators who can see the maritime and trading history of our city in action under paddle, sail and steam power.

We’re also bringing in the Red Checkers followed by the Warbirds over the city skies for two dazzling aerobatic displays to add extra excitement in 2012 and we expect to see the whole of the viaduct area turning into ‘party central’ with free entertainment for all the family.

If you are a sailor, entries open in November 2011 when we’ll be sending out the official race book with all the details of competitions for each class. For updates on the programme keep an eye on this website or checkout our new Facebook page– we want you to like it!.

Planning for the 2012 regatta is progressing smoothly and we are thrilled to have secured a family of sponsors again, led by our naming rights partner, Oceanbridge Shipping, with Auckland Council, Classic Hits, Ports of Auckland Ltd, Lion Foundation, The Southern Trust and the Spirit of Adventure Trust along with the very active support of the Royal New Zealand Navy. We’re also working with maritime enterprises from the Maritime Museum to the boat building industry - and the City to make the regatta a truly memorable occasion for Aucklanders and her many visitors.

2011 Prizegiving and action photos online...click here.

About the 2012 Regatta

The scene will be set on:

Sunday 29 January: Viaduct Harbour

A rare opportunity to see our wonderful fleet of heritage vessels up close as they berth in the Viaduct Harbour from late afternoon until Monday morning.
A European flavour will prevail with the vessels being lit up Mediterranean style.

Monday 30 January 9.00am: Tugboat Parade

Tugboats young and old will gather at the entrance to the Viaduct Harbour and parade up to their start line off North Head.

10.00am: Tugboat Race off North Head

Watch this amazing display of manoeuvrability and speed as these wonderful craft roar up the channel, round Narrow Neck Buoy and return to finish off Devonport Wharf - best vantage points are North Head, East Coast Bays beaches, Devonport and Devonport Wharf.
11.30am Fire fighting display off the Viaduct followed by a Parade through the Viaduct.

Dragon Boat racing commences in the Viaduct Harbour
All welcome to join in and give the teams your vocal support.

11.00am: First Start off Princes Wharf

Races start off Princes Wharf, downtown Auckland at 5 minute intervals from 11.00am, with the flying multihulls starting at 11.05am
11.30am: Division One Keelers
11.35am: A Classic and A Modern Classic Divisions
11.40am: B Classic and B Modern Classic Divisions
11.55am: Tall Ships and Waka

12.00noon: Harbour Blast starts off Orakei Wharf

See some of the fastest boats on the water 'blast' off in a vision of colour and speed as they head off around the harbour.

Best spectator vantage points are Bastion Point, North Head, East Coast Bays, Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Queen & Princes Wharves.

Waka Ama Canoes
Start from Westhaven Tower, paddle past Princes Wharf to Orakei Wharf, cross the harbour to North Head and paddle back to the finish at Westhaven.

RED CHECKERS daring aerobatics display followed by the historic HARVARDS formation aerobatics.

Other events to watch out for:

10.00am: Radio Controlled Yachts

Be sure to see this amazing display of yachting skill 'America's Cup' style, controlled from the land.
Electrons - Marine Association Pontoon, Westhaven Marina.
International One Metre and Nautic 12 fleets – Wattle Farm, Manurewa.

From 10.00am: Centreboard Classes

9.45am:     Narrowneck Beach (Sea Scouts)
10.00am:   Maraetai Sailing Club (Starling NI Champiosnships)
                  Wakatere Boating Club (Sunburst Nationals and Hobie 16’s)
11.00am:   Kohimarama Yacht Club, Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club
12.30pm:   Tamaki Yacht Club

12 noon RED CHECKERS daring aerobatic display followed, at 12.30pm, by the historic HARVARDS formation aerobatics

12.30pm: First boats expected at Princes Wharf from:

Mahurangi and Rakino Island: featuring Keelboats and Trailer Yachts