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The traditional Mahurangi Regatta and beach picnic will be held on Auckland Anniversary weekend, on Saturday, January 25, at Sullivan’s Bay.
But this year’s event won’t culminate with the traditional prizegiving party at Scotts Landing, which has been a feature of the regatta for the past 20 years.
Organisers say there are insufficient funds to hire the jazz orchestra, not to mention the sound and lighting, wheelie bins and other equipment.
However, a scaled-back prizegiving for the yachties will still be held on the beach at Scott’s Landing after the races.
The regatta will, as usual, offer both water-based and land-based events, timed to accommodate the high and low tide at the mouth of the harbour. This year, the tide will be low at around 11am and high around 5pm.
This means that the classic boats will start gathering off Sullivan’s from 10am with the Parade of Classics around the bay starting around 10.30am.
An organiser says event timing is somewhat flexible, best described as “Mahurangi Time”.
“Some events such as the sand races may be expanded or deleted as dictated by the number and enthusiasm of the young entrants,” she says. “There will be short running races including three-legged races, age group races, sack races, and egg and spoon races. All participants will receive a certificate.”
The popular sandcastle competition has been shortened and simplified this year, so entrants and teams will have only one hour, from 1pm, to complete their masterpieces, and the judges will announce the top three placings at 2pm. The afternoon programme allows for swimming, paddling, and kayaking races followed by the traditional Tug o’ War.
