Green win plain sailing for Waikawa boaties

Ongoing efforts to ensure Waikawa Boating Club is cleaner and greener has seen its members recognised for their efforts.

The hub has become the first in Marlborough to be recognised under Yachting New Zealand’s Clean Club Certification.

As a world-leading three step initiative, certification ensures yacht clubs across the country operate with their ocean backyard in mind for all club activities.

The club has been awarded a two star accreditation under the scheme.

The recognition is a point of pride for Clean Club Initiative lead John Labou who says support from local sailors has been key to making successful changes.

“The first step was probably the biggest, where we looked to transition to more eco-friendly cleaning products, lights, organic and recycled materials being disposed correctly and monitoring water usage around the club.

“For us, we know we live and sail in the best part of the world, and a place that produces 80 per cent of New Zealand’s seafood, so it’s critical for us to ensure our members who probably using the water the most are enjoying it in a sustainable manner and ensuring others are too.”

Set up by Yachting New Zealand, the New Zealand Sail GP team and Sailors for the Sea, one of the criteria for level two accreditation is to help other clubs.

So Waikawa have teamed up with Port Nicholson Yacht Club in Wellington to help mentor, share information and experiences.

Yachting New Zealand Education Lead Alisa Torgersen says she is thrilled to see the Waikawa Club moving forward so quickly with the initiative.

“It is awesome to see that Waikawa Boating Club have run Clean Regattas for both their Women’s Regatta and their New Years Regattas,” she says.

Waikawa also partnered with certified natural sunscreen Goodbye Sunblock, providing club members various discounts and incentives to use reef/ocean safe sunblock.

For their efforts, the club will also be receiving a personalised video from SailGP team members congratulating them for their achievement.

Following their off the water successes, there was also plenty to celebrate after the WineWorks Marlborough Wine Race last week.

Both inshore and offshore races began in light winds which built throughout the day and resulted in some exciting racing towards the joint finish line at Resolution Bay.

“It was a brilliant day had by all”, says WineWorks Marlborough General Manager Damien Gillman.

“The Queen Charlotte Sounds turned on terrific weather and our hosts on the magnificent vessel ‘Freedom’ made the whole experience all the more enjoyable.

“We are proud to support the Waikawa Boating Club and such a superb event celebrating the fine wine that is made in our region and across the country.”