Yachting: Biggest regatta comes to New Plymouth

Supplied: New Plymouth Radio Control Yacht Club

This weekend the New Plymouth Radio Control Yacht Club(NPRCYC) will host it's highest level regatta since the club was reestablished in late 2022 when it hosts the Dragonflite 95(DF95) North Island Championship at Lake Rotomanu on Fitzroy. 

When radio sailors first looked at getting the NPRCYC back up and running the first question was what type of RC yacht would the club build with.

There are many different classes of RC yacht sailed in New Zealand with designs from one design yachts to classes with an open box rule.

The DF95 is a kit set RC yacht that arrives in a box with everything you need to get sailing and racing. It is a 95cm long yacht designed to be a convenient size, on and off the water with a lightweight and long, narrow hull which gives great performance across a range of wind conditions.

With some locals already sailing DF95's socially and the one design aspect of the class meaning everyone was on the start line with the same yacht it was decided to go with the DF95 as the clubs establishment class.

This decision had the club growing quickly and proved to be very good for the club and it's members.

The club currently has over 40 members registered as DF95 sailors with the spread of sailors from new to the sport, social sailors up to competitive racers including the past DF95 national champion.

This weekend's regatta will see people traveling from around the North Island with half the entries coming from out of town to take on the locals.

Toby Lecher, Chairman of the DF Radio Sailing Class of New Zealand and NPRCYC member said: “I’m thrilled to see the North Island Championship hosted at my home club.

"It’s a privilege to welcome top skippers from around the North Island for what promises to be a weekend of close competition and great camaraderie.

"Events like this showcase the spirit and skill of our growing class, and I’m proud of the dedication and passion that continues to drive radio sailing forward in New Zealand.”

Racing takes place on Saturday and Sunday at the Northern end of Lake Rotomanu.