Centreboard Sailing Newsletters
Thames Sailing Club
Centerboard Sailing Report – April 11th-12th 2026
Our 2025-26 Summer Centreboard Sailing season has come to a close. Preparations for our 2026- 27 season are underway.
Our last event for the season was the Keeler v Centreboarders competition. In previous years, this event struggled to attract participants, but close to 20 sailors attended this year. Unfortunately, a passing cyclone prevented the events from going ahead. The weather event had been monitored for a few days, but no miracle occurred to push it away.
So, the barbecue was rolled out of its storage and burgers, sausages, and a convivial gathering of people, as well as an inspiring speech from our Sailing Coordinator, made up for the disappointment of not being able to sail.
So now our attention will passes to the end of the summer keeler racing season and the beginning of the winter series. Consult our website for the Keeler sailing programme.
It is time to consider how you might contribute some of your time to shape the coming season. More people make more fun. Areas that may interest you are teaching newcomers to sail in the Optimists, running the patrol boat, being a race officer, taking results..... or writing newsletters. Forward your ideas and your availability to our secretary at
Thanks to Marcus for his commitment to writing these sailing reports and all the people who have helped out preparing the boats on a Saturday to get our boats on the water. Thanks also to Dave for all his work in co-ordinating the sailing programmes throughout the season and to Barbara and her team for being there to record the starts and finishes from the “tower”. Thanks also to Matt for updating our online results database. To the people who have been on the patrol boat to oversee races, Craig, Rex, Rex S, Gregor and Richie, a big thankyou. My apologies if I have missed anyone.
These combined efforts allow our club to function.
We look forward to the new centreboard season in October.
Don’t forget to stay up to date : https://www.thamessailingclub.co.nz/
Thames Sailing Club
Centerboard Sailing Report – March 21st-22nd 2026
This was the second-to-last sailing weekend for this season. We saw a fleet of Lasers out on the water on both days. The practice on Saturday showed off results on Sunday. Once again, we had only a little breeze available, but made the best of it. Now is the time to get ready for the Keelers vs Centerboarders race on Saturday, April 11th. Let’s make this an event to remember.
In detail:
Saturday, March 21st:
Three lasers got rigged on the day. One of them was shared between two sailors from different generations (of the same family). All four of them were capable of utilizing the very light condition. One of the Lasers was just recently acquired by a club member. Hopefully, the racing fleet will see more competition at the top end from now on.
Sunday, March 22nd:
Due to the very light conditions, the course was reduced to only two legs (windward – leeward). After two races heading southwest, the course was shifted westward, as the wind direction had changed. Our youngest sailor, now sailing a Laser in light conditions, has adapted well to the new boat. He is well on the heels of the best. How long before he takes over? We had three races all up with the same outcome. The results are cemented for the prize giving, even with one more weekend still ahead of us.
Have a look at the results:
https://www.thamessailingclub.co.nz/index.php/centreboard-sailing2/centreboard-sailing-results
Next up:
Keeler vs Centerboarders is coming up. This is an opportunity for all active sailors to participate. We hope for many of the club’s members to come along. Bring your cameras, as mishaps are likely to occur and might need to be published...
The last Centerboard racing for the season is scheduled for the day after. A barbecue and prize giving is planned to finish off the season.
Don’t forget to stay up to date : https://www.thamessailingclub.co.nz/
Thames Sailing Club
Centerboard Sailing Report – March 7th-8th 2026.
This is a report about very little. There was hardly any breeze available on Saturday. It dropped further for Sunday.
Nevertheless, we had motivated sailors turn up on both days.
In detail:
Saturday, March 7th:
On arrival at the club, conditions were very calm. We kept our eyes firmly on the darker water further south. It helped. We could successfully call in the breeze to join us for some time.
Lasers, the Topaz and a Frostply managed to get moving and practicing. Variable winds were enough to make this a successful Sail Training Day.
Our benchmark sailor went with the Topaz and also managed this boat with excellence. It might be next season, when we finally can match him (or probably never).
Sunday, March 8th:
Expecting similar conditions to those on the previous day, we tried to get out onto the water early. For eager Laser sailors, they rigged their boats and kept their eyes on the light southerly breeze. But the winds faded completely. One suggestion was to put multiple buoys out and decide on the course when the breeze arrives.
All hopes did not really help. Without a single bout or buoy having touched the water, we packed up. We had a little snack and went home.
There is no change in the results : https://www.thamessailingclub.co.nz/index.php/centreboard-sailing2/centreboard-sailing-results
Next up:
We will have one more “Sail Training / Summer Racing Series” weekend. After that, we will have our seasons final day with Keelers Vs Centerboarders racing, then a prize giving and barbecue. Let’s start prepping for the next season. Helpers and sailors wanted
Don’t forget to stay up to date : https://www.thamessailingclub.co.nz/
Thames Sailing Club
Centerboard Sailing Report – February 21st-22nd 2026
This was the weekend that many of us had been looking forward to. Things really came together for our event on Saturday. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and everyone felt like a winner. Often, the challenges are not around you but within your boat. You do not just compete against others; often, you compete against yourself and your previous results. At the end of both days, we all had a sense of accomplishment to take home with us. The five Frostplys were the stars of the weekend. Let’s keep them in good shape and use them frequently.
In detail:
Saturday, February 21st:
The Club's Frostply regatta has its place in the annual calendar for many years. Recent maintenance and brand new sails on all three of the club boats added to their pristine state. Two more privately owned boats from club members arrived. The fleet looked and performed excellently.
A light breeze from the south was all that was necessary to have three not-so-fast races.
We changed courses around, but could not prevent the same team winning all three races. Well done. Hopefully, we see more of the boats next season. There was some food for the sailors and helpers afterwards. This was a fine day for all of us.
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Sunday, February 22nd:
Conditions were even lighter than on Saturday. Nevertheless, four Lasers and A Jollyboat took on the task. After delaying the start for some time, in the hope of more breeze, we had a single race. The breeze faded further, and only two boats managed to cross the line. It can’t be long before we have too much wind. Our breeze saving account should be flooded. Our five sportsmen had a good light wind practice anyway. We finished the weekend by having some food in the club.
Have a look at the results:
https://www.thamessailingclub.co.nz/index.php/centreboard-sailing2/centreboard-sailing-results
Next up:
Be there for the Sail Training on Saturday. We want to welcome our guests from Coromandel Youth Sailing Group and provide them with a good experience.
Don’t forget to stay up to date : https://www.thamessailingclub.co.nz/
Thames Sailing Club Update 16 February 2026
Here is important information for you about changes to our sailing program:
The postponed Frostply regatta is planned for this coming Saturday, February 21st. Please have your boat rigged and be ready for the briefing at 10:30am. New sets of sails are available for the three club boats. We hope they will be used a lot and taken care of as well. They are a good investment, especially if we start using the Frostplys more often. Double-handed sailing provides fun and excitement to twice as many people per boat.
On Sunday, the Summer Racing Series will continue as per the club sailing calendar.
Invitation to the Coromandel Youth Sailing to join us.
The Club is happy to announce that we have invited the Coromandel Youth Sailing group to join us on March 7th. Last year, we had an awesome day together. If you are not familiar with this popular group, it is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who promote sailing amongst young people. Most of their sailing activities and training take place at Heard’s Bay at Te Kouma.
We want to connect with them more often, maintain a great friendship, and support them. Even just coming along will make it a sailing fest. Feel free to contribute some of your time, and let’s once again make everyone feel how accommodating we can be. All ideas and hands are welcome to support the event. If you would like to help, contact our secretary, Rachel, via email
It is anticipated that sailors who wish to stay over to participate in the Summer Racing Series the next day may stay in the club facilities for the night. We look forward to hosting our guests from Coromandel. Please support this special event.
April Sailing
No TSC sailing is planned for the first weekend in April (4th-5th). Would this provide an opportunity to go to Coromandel for some Centerboard sailing? What are your thoughts?
Keeler racing division news
Waikato Yacht Squadron 2026 Gulf Classic Regatta
Here is an event for our keeler racing division. In the past, boats from the club have taken part in this event. It takes place on the 20th, 21st and 22nd of March and is based ot of the Maraetai Beach Boating Club.
Notice of Race:
https://www.waikatoyachtsquadron.org.nz/uploads/1/3/1/3/13133394/nor_gc_2026_-_v1.pdf?s=em
General Info:
https://www.waikatoyachtsquadron.org.nz/gulf-classic-2026.html?s=em
For further information you may contact
Flip Rayner
Commodore - Waikato Yacht Squadron
021354773
Don’t forget to stay up to date : https://www.thamessailingclub.co.nz/, where you will find the results points table as well
