Saturday 27th September will mark the opening day of our 154th season here at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and excitement is building ahead of the official firing of the cannon!

This morning however, we got to do a trial run, and with the America’s Cup proudly on display, Lucy from Breakfast TV had the honours of doing the cannon test fire on LIVE TV!

Opening day marks a significant time of the year, as we not only celebrate the start of the season, but the beginning of the summer sailing months.

154th Opening Day – Breakfast TV. Ella Arnold & Luca Smith

We have a big season ahead, with our traditional PIC Insurance Brokers Wednesday Series, Rum Racing, Sprint Racing, Social Match Racing, the Commodore’s Cup, The Yacht Sales Co. Squadron Weekend and more – including SailGP in February were the club has great options available to be amongst the action.

154th Opening Day – Breakfast TV. RNZYS Keelboat Clinic Sailors

154th Opening Day Schedule

Time Event
0700 Lighthouse Café Opens
0900 RNZYS Front Doors Open
In-store Only Merchandise Sale
1000-1045 The Yacht Sales Co. Speaker Series #1
North Sails
Sail care & maintenance; cruising sail options for performance and durability
1000-1100 Come & Try Sailing for FREE!
FULLY BOOKED
1100-1145 The Yacht Sales Co. Speaker Series #2
Island Cruising
Tips and stories from sailing the South Pacific
1200 Firing of the Cannon
1230-1330 Come & Try Sailing for FREE!
FULLY BOOKED
1400 The First Race of the 2025-2026 Season
Enter The Rae
1400-1500 Come & Try Sailing for FREE!
FULLY BOOKED
1415-1500 The Yacht Sales Co. Speaker Series #3
The Yacht Sales Co.
Preparing your boat for sale – what to know when selling
1515-1600 The Yacht Sales Co. Speaker Series #4
Maritime NZ
Navigating the Process: How to Obtain an International Voyage Certificate for NZ Pleasure Craft
1600-1630 Virtual Regatta
1630 Prize Giving & Member’s Draw Jackpot
1705 All Blacks v. Australia (Ballroom & Members’s Bar)