Weather permitting a small group of us are planning a mini raid to Motutapu island, its going to be a simple affair, self catered and self reliant.

At this stage the loose plan is to leave Orakei boat ramp Saturday morning and head via Browns island for a lunch stop. finishing up at Home Bay Motutapu island.

Of course everything is Weather dependant and as much as I don’t trust forecasts much, the general trend is looking pretty hopeful.

This is NOT and organised event, so there will be no support vessels, your on your own. but if you have a small capable boat and would like to tag along or join us there your very welcome.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/ng-interactive/2016/feb/25/coastal-rowing-new-zealand-kiwi-st-ayles-skiff-raid?CMP=share_btn_fb

Well after 6 months of planning and 15 days of the most fun you can have in a small boat its a wrap, the inaugural Kiwi Raid and St Ayles Regatta is over.

43 people participated in the Raid,

Participants were from Tasmania, Western Australia, Scotland, Wellington and Auckland.

105nm Rowed or Sailed in small boats,

15 different marvellous destinations in the Hauraki gulf visited,

Over 40 hours of engine time on the Mother ship John Dory,

Approx 450 litres of petrol burned in the two safety boats,

2nd place in the Masters of Mahurangi rowing regatta.

Winners of the John Cole trophy for Aesthetic contribution to the Mahurangi regatta.

Heres a few photos of the fun and games, for a day by day account visit

www.nzcoastalrowing.org

Our first major event is The Kiwi Raid and Regatta 2016,

Its starts January 29th 2016 at Sandpit, and finishes fifteen days later in Auckland, Along the way there are lots of short adventures for sailors and rowers alike. We will have a two day St Ayles skiff regatta (short rowing races) at Whangaparoa in the middle which everyone can join in.

Its fully catered so you will get 3 meals a day, accommodation is mostly camping but with good facilities.

Heres the run sheet and a map to help make sense of it all.

Make sure you get your entries in asap, spaces are limited.

Run Sheet.

January.

Day 1              Fri 29^th          HW 12:02      Distance: 8.6nm                                                                                Lunch: Goldsworthy bay      Camp: Martins Bay

Holiday Park

Arrive Sandspit, Registration safety gear checks etc. Trailers stored at Mikes section. Launch boats and journey to Martins Bay and set up camp.

Day 2              Sat 30^th          HW 12:41      Distance: 4nm

Lunch: Sullivan’s                   Camp: Martins Bay                                                               Holiday Park

Mahurangi regatta, chance to join in the regatta or races from the beach. Entries on the beach at Sullivan’s. Leave skiffs at Scott’s Landing for night. Bus back to campground.

Day 3              Sun 31^st         HW 13:21      Distance: 20nm return

Lunch: Warkworth                Camp: Martins Bay                                                               Holiday Park

Bus back to Scott’s Landing, day trip up the Mahurangi River to Warkworth. Lunch at Warkworth Cafes, bus trip to Parry Kauri Park and return. Row/sail back to Martins Bay Campground

February.

Day 4              Mon 1^st          HW 14:04      Distance: 4.2nm

Lunch: Moturekareka           Camp: Lidgard House

Pack up camp at Martins Bay Holiday Park and journey to Lidgard House (Bon Accord harbour) Possibly drop into Mansion House on the way.

Day 5              Tues 2^nd        HW 14:50      Distance: 7nm return

Lunch: Tawharanui              Camp: Lidgard House

Day trip to Tawharanui and return to Lidgard House.

Day 6              Wed 3^rd         HW 15:40      Distance: 6.5nm

Lunch: Coppermine              Camp: Motuora

Pack up camp at Lidgard’s, Journey to Motuora via Coppermine for lunch. Make camp at Motuora Island.

Day 7              Thu 4^th           HW 16:36      Distance: 8.5nm

Lunch: Army Bay?                 Camp: YMCA Lodge

Pack up Motuora Island, and journey to Te Haruhi Bay via Army Bay. Accommodation at YMCA lodge Te Haruhi bay.

Day 8              Fri 5^th                        HW 17:34      Distance: 6.85nm

Lunch: Tiritiri Matangi Is.     Camp: YMCA lodge

Day 9              Sat 6^th             HW 18:32      Distance: 0

Lunch: YMCA                         Camp: YMCA

Setup Morning:         St Ayles regatta prep/boats/teams.

Afternoon:                  St Ayles regatta, racing in the bay.

Day 10            Sun 7^th           HW 19:27      Distance: 0

Lunch: YMCA                         Camp: YMCA

St Ayles regatta, racing in the bay.

Day 11            Mon 8^th          HW 20:19      Distance: 11nm

Lunch: Woody Bay                Camp: Home Bay

Pack up and journey to Home Bay, Motutapu Island

Day 12            Tue 9^th           HW 08:49      Distance: 3.5nm

Lunch:            Rangitoto Summit    Camp: Home bay

Day at Home bay exploring Motutapu island or climbing to the summit of Rangitoto for the best view in Auckland.

Day 13            Wed 10^th       HW 09:37      Distance: 9nm

Lunch: Oneroa via Blackpool Camp: Rocky Bay

(Whakanewha Bay)

Pack up Motutapu and journey to Rocky bay via Blackpool (walk up hill for lunch at Oneroa with spectacular views into the Hauraki gulf and sandy white beaches)

Day 14            Thu 11^th        HW10:25       Distance: 7.5nm

Lunch: Nikau Track               Camp: Motuihe Island

Depart Rocky bay after packing up camp and walking up Nikau Track. Journey to Motuihe Island.

Day 15            Fri 12^th          HW 11:14      Distance: 8nm

Lunch: Naval Museum          Camp: Auckland CBD Pack up camp at Motuihe, journey up the Waitamata stopping for lunch at the Devonport Navel Museum. Finish moored outside The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for dinner. (Own accommodation required in CBD). All boats berthed at the Westhaven Marina adjacent to RNZYS.

Saturday 13th February: Bus to Sandspit and collect trailers/cars. All boats out at Westhaven Boat Ramp.

Raid New Zealand Inc was formed to promote support and facilitate small boat adventuring and raiding in New Zealand.

We are a group of like minded people who enjoy getting out on the water in small sail and oar type boats, Sailing, Rowing and sharing adventures together.