Welcome to OptiReach ‘27 North! This NZIODA North Island Optimist Clinic is set at the beautiful Willow Park Camp right by Eastern Beach, Auckland. A residential clinic, it brings together Opti sailors from across New Zealand for four exciting days of sailing and three nights at camp.
A Must-Do on the Optimist Calendar
This isn’t just another sailing clinic. It’s an opportunity for young sailors to grow both on and off the water, make new friends from around New Zealand who share a common interest, challenge themselves, make memories and return home ready to tackle the regatta season with confidence and purpose.
With high-quality coaching and a generous subsidy from the OWNZ trust to support grassroots sailing, young sailors are encouraged to get involved and make the most of their Optimist journey.
Harness top-notch coaching. Sharpen sailing skills. Kickstart the regatta season. Boost confidence. Develop life-skills. Make friends for life.
He waka eke noa. We are all in this together.
Hosted this year by Wakatere Boating Club, the clinic is supported by parents pitching in with clinic duties and supervising sailors overnight.
Clinic details.
Where is the clinic held?
Willow Park Camp is straight across the road from the beach and is fully catered. Its facilities include dorms, a dining hall, a meeting hall, and a gymnasium. Willow Park is an ideal location to learn and practice sailing skills, and it has space and facilities that allow sailors to make new friends and connect with buddies from their own and other clubs.
The Eastern Beach area is ideal for developing young sailors; it has quite varied conditions due to its land features, which helps sailors to develop wind-reading skills. It’s also a great location to explore Hauraki Gulf for a destination sail to an Island.
Who are the coaches?
This clinic provides sailors from throughout New Zealand the chance to meet and learn from our experienced and knowledgeable NZIODA coaches who will work alongside club coaches with small groups of approximately 6 sailors.
Our performance coaches have wide-ranging experience, providing plenty of technical knowledge and support while helping sailors progress towards their individual goals, whatever their level.
What level of sailor is the clinic suitable for?
The clinic caters to all Opti sailors, from those starting out in Green Fleet to those dipping their toes into racing in White Fleet, as well as more experienced Open Fleet sailors at the top of our class.
Key Skills & Benefits
Build Independence & Confidence – Living away from home helps young sailors become more self-reliant, responsible, and confident in their own abilities.
Sharpen Sailing Skills – Practical on-water coaching helps sailors sharpen boat handling, boat speed, starts, tactics, rules, and race craft.
Learn from Experts – Top-notch coaching providing sailors with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to take their sailing to the next level.
Set Goals – The clinic gives sailors a positive kick-start to the regatta season, helping them identify goals, develop a growth mindset, and prepare to work towards their ambitions.
Make Lifelong Friendships – Sharing the highs, challenges, laughs, and experiences during this residential clinic creates friendships and connections that can last well beyond the sailing season.
Kickstart the Season Ahead – The clinic brings sailors together at the start of the regatta season to build skills, confidence, fitness, motivation, and a clear sense of purpose.
Gain Skills for Life, Not Just Sailing – The independence, discipline, resilience, confidence, goal-setting, and decision-making developed at the clinic are skills that young people can carry into school, sport, work, and life.
Programme highlights:
A destination sail: If conditions allow, a sail to an island in the Hauraki Gulf for iceblocks and island fun.
Presentations: Interactive sessions on themes such as nutrition, tactics, strategy, boat setup, racing, rules, fitness, mindset, and other aspects of the sport.
A one-day practice regatta: If conditions allow, a one-day practice regatta may be held on the last day to help sailors put all of their learning together in an independent, low-key setting.
Post-sailing fun time: Outdoor games and activities including soccer, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, board games, mini golf, and frisbee golf.
Charter boats:
NZIODA have a limited number of OWNZ Optimist Boats that can be chartered for this event to sailors travelling from outside of the Auckland area.
Priority will be given to sailors from the South Island.
Please note, these are popular so it is highly recommended to book early to avoid disappointment.
Cost/Deposit:
$730 ( + stripe transaction fee)
Deposit – The cost includes a 30% non-refundable deposit if the sailor cancels up to 10 days prior to the clinic. Any refunds for cancellations received within 10 days of the clinic starting will be at NZIODA’s discretion.
Registration:
Registration will open on Friday 16th October 2026 and close on Friday 4th December, 2026.
Any entries received after December 4th will be at the discretion of NZIODA
and will incur a late penalty fee of 30% of the registration cost.Please note that we will not be including a T-shirt in the clinic cost this year to try to keep our registration price down. These will however be available to purchase after registration.
REGISTER HERE for the 2027 North Island Clinic by Friday 4th December 2026
Soundbites from sailors and parents who’ve attended the clinic
“My favourite thing was learning rigging skills, start skills, racing and the destination sail”
“My daughter loved the experience and friendships, and being pushed outside her comfort zone”
“Great coach support, great challenges to progress his sailing while having a really supportive environment from the coaches”
“Great coaches, amazing facilities, loved having access to OWNZ boats”
“I loved having concentrated coaching for 4 days with high-level coaches, and racing against the top level sailors in New Zealand”
Video from NZIODA North Island Clinic 2020
Video from NZIODA North Island Clinic 2017
NZIODA Clinic 2023
NZIODA Clinic 2022
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