The waters off New Plymouth are the field of dreams for hundreds of school students this month.
Following a busy summer of recreational fun, Ngāmotu Beach and the sea off the city are hosting two national events – the New Zealand Secondary Schools Teams Sailing National Championship, and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Youth Nationals.
For the second year in a row, the New Plymouth Yacht Club will host more than 350 sailors, team managers, helpers and umpires at the NZSS Teams Sailing National Championship from 22-26 April.
Sailed in two-person 420 dinghies, the short and tactical races pit three boats from a school against another school’s three boats in a head-to-head.
Last year, 400 races were held during the regatta, and a similar number are expected this year as 36 schools stretching from Dunedin in the south to Kerikeri in the north sail for glory. Taranaki will be represented by New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Francis Douglas Memorial College, and Spotswood College.
Port Taranaki is the proud principal sponsor of the New Plymouth Yacht Club.
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Youth Nationals are held simultaneously out of fishing clubs up and down the country between 12-27 April, and are a great opportunity for young anglers to experience the thrill of fishing in a competitive environment.
The event is open to any youngsters up to the age of 18, including those who aren’t members of fishing clubs. Those interested can register at their nearest fishing club, such as the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club, which has 252 members under 18.
The measure-and-release tournament offers a variety of fishing sections catering to kids with handlines all the way up to those with access to boats.
