Gucci: Offshore Wellington to Nelson and then add the Evolution Nelson Regatta in too
Calling all skippers and crew ā firstly we need more offshore boats on the start line. Get your Cat 3, and if you donāt want the expense of a life raft for example (yes it is expensive), hire one and do the epic Wellington ā Nelson offshore race (and the rest of the offshore programme.)
Secondly, on the back of the Wellington to Nelson race is the Evolution Nelson Regatta. This annual regatta was conceived in 2009 by a group of Nelson sailors, with ambitions of placing the region back on the national sailing map. Over the years the format has evolved to create a competitive and social week of racing that showcases the beauty of Tasman Bay.
Unique in the terms of its variety of sailing courses, one day around the cans, the race over to Torrent Bay (and back), and a short race around Tonga Island in between, champagne sailing in shorts and a T shirt in a gentle 10 ā15 knots breeze, the 2 races of 20 nm to Torrent Bay with a night stopover and the epic beach barbeque equals paradise sailing. And if you donāt want to do one day of racing around the cans, there is a cruising division you can partake in.
Tasman Bay Cruising Club is one of the friendliest, most welcoming clubs we have come across, with excellent meals, loads of fun, and the opportunity to meet people from another club who will become friends for life. There is also the Aon Trophy for best performed boats/points from each club, it would be great to have enough entries from Port Nick to challenge Nelson yachties who have now won it twice since it was introduced 2 years ago.
If you are not up for the Wellington Nelson offshore, take the time to cruise across just for the Nelson Regatta, Then cruise back through French Pass, and the usual stop offs include Catherine Cove for a meal and overnight. Punga Cove was included this year too with a new menu and outstanding meals.
See you there in 2025!
Halo
We opted to take the easy way to Nelson with three days of pleasant sailing stopping at Punt Rails and Catherine Cove. It was our second time doing the regatta in sunny Nelson, we entered Halo in the cruising division which suited us well and had a blast with the four days of racing. On day three we sailed to beautiful Torrent Bay for the overnight anchorage and a great BBQ beach party hosted by the lovely people at Tasman Bay Cruising Club. The wind came up on day four and we had a fast race back to Nelson. We didn’t win any awards at the prizegiving (apart from a spot prize of a bottle of rum) but a great time was had by all!
88% Proof
It’s a wonderful regatta to do as it has a bit of everything.
Filled with exciting close boat racing day one around laid marks, then day 2 a beautiful scenic coastal sail up to Torrent Bay where the club put on a beach BBQ for everyone to dine and mingle. Day 3 is then a small race around Tonga Island before heading back to Nelson to the finish.
It’s just fabulous and worth considering – it’s so much fun.