– Sir Russell Coutts
It’s a growing fleet with exciting prospects for the future. Hosting some of the best Regattas in the world with some of the most competitive fleet racing and the only class to introduce fun events such as the “freestyle”. There is now over 7000 boats Worldwide Sailed in 15 different Countries. O’pen Skiff strives to maintain its high standard of racing but also emphasises the “fun” factor into all its Regattas.
A quickly expanding fleet, producing sailors of all calibre from the racer to the explorer. With well over 700 boats in Australia and New Zealand the popular Class is proving a favourite.
The New Zealand O’pen Skiff Association’s mission is to help participants in our community grow in character and personal confidence and to bring the joy of sailing to as many kids as possible! We’re a volunteer organization with a focus on continuous improvement for the O’pen Skiff community and we are committed to delivering a unique family friendly experience in junior sailing that blends fun and competition here in New Zealand. Our platform provides a pathway to performance and adventure sailing so whether your future goals are to drive a SailGP F50 or sail a trailer yacht across the Hauraki Gulf, we’ve got you covered.
The Association will contribute significant resources to running events such as race officer support, world class coaching, event prizes, and much more. Annual NZOSA membership costs $30 and sailors are required to be members to participate in NZOSA events.
As an association our vision…
The New Zealand O’pen Skiff Association will lead the development of our young sailors by ensuring the O’pen Skiff class offers quality regional, provincial, and national competition while retaining a strong foundation of fun, adventure and friendship among the sailors and their families.
Do you want to develop the class at your club?
If you think the O’pen Skiff would suit your club and you would like more information on how to get involved contact Glide Industries and find out about holding an Open day for your club.
Looking for somewhere to try an O’pen Skiff?
If you are interested in sailing an O’pen Skiff. There are are a number of clubs around the country that are sailing O’pen Skiffs. Click here for all current Clubs.
A modern and planing hull, more in the form of a skiff, The O’pen Skiff gives a dynamic responsive fast sailing experience of a true dinghy that heels. A powerful boat that provides kids the same excitement normally experienced on a boat as adults.
With its 6-foot Open design, including a totally open self draining stern, it offers fast fun. Young sailors are fully independent on the water and will be proud to sail such a modern-looking and elegant boat, one that both sails and looks like the boat of today’s champions.
Speed comes close to the Laser 4.7. Good sail and boat trim is rewarded with fast planning on all points of sailing, especially surfing waves downwind
The ideal weight for a user of this boat is 30 – 55 kg, but it can accommodate up to 90 kg.
Car-top transport is easy. Rig and foils fit in a bag under the hull. The O’pen Skiff is unloaded, rigged and ready to race in less than 10 minutes.
The O’pen Skiff is an outstandingly fast sailing dinghy specially designed for kids to have fun in sailing.
Recognising the skiff like performance of the boat enables exciting new race formats like slalom, adventure racing, and opencross freestyle.
The O’pen Skiff class attracts a wonderful group of kids. They are well spoken, polite and caring of each other’s well being. The class is absent of the intense rivalry and friction that creeps into other classes from time to time.
Fun and mateship predominates amongst our young sailors.
The O’pen Skiff class is a family friendly, fun atmosphere and sets a standard to discourage any intense rivalry or unsportsmanlike behaviour.
If you require more information please contact us.
Email: info@openskiff.org.nz
Phone: 0800 242 776
📷 Hero Image / Elena Giolai / Italian National Ranking Regatta Cagliari 2023
