The NZIODA North Island Optimist Clinic is held at Eastern Beach, Willow Park, each year in January. Auckland clubs with a strong Opti fleet take turns to host the event in conjunction with NZIODA. This year Wakatere Boating Club will host this event.
This is a residential clinic where sailors live-in at the camp for the duration of the four days with parents pitching in to perform some of the camp duties and supervise sailors overnight. The clinic will cater to all Opti sailors from those starting out in Green Fleet, dipping their toes into racing in the White Fleet, as well as for the more experienced Open Fleet sailors at the top of our class.
Once again we will engage a variety of NZIODA performance coaches to work with sailors towards their individual sailing goals.
Willow Park, Eastern Beach, Auckland
This camp venue, straight across the road from the beach, is fully catered. Its facilities include dorms, dining, meeting hall and a gymnasium. Willow Park is an ideal location to learn and practice sailing skills. This area presents quite varied conditions due to its land features which help sailors to develop wind reading skills. It is also a great location to explore some of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf for a destination sail.
What will my Sailor Learn?
The camp is suitable for Green, White and Open fleet sailors and the focus is on sailor enjoyment through building independence, honing sailing and racing skills, and making friends and connections across our class. A variety of great coaches with a huge range of experience are in attendance providing plenty of technical knowledge and support whatever your sailor’s level.
This camp 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 with the following goals in mind:
● Making new friends from around New Zealand
● Becoming an independent Opti Sailor
● Learning and improving sailing fitness
● Destination sailing
● Presentations on themes such as nutrition, tactics, strategy and rules
● Set up and boat speed
● Regatta and training routines
● Understanding the wind
● Key technique and boat handling skills
● Starting skills
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 and low key setting.
Dates and Times: from 10.00 am on Tuesday 12th January to 4pm on Friday 15th January.
4 days of sailing and a live in clinic – Cost $TBC
This will include 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.
We are grateful for the continuing support from the OWNZ trust who subsidise this camp each year so that we can keep the costs as low as possible.
Registration: Will open on Monday 1st October 2026 and close on Monday 7th December, 2026.
Any entries received after this date will be at the discretion of NZIODA
and will incur a late penalty fee of 30% of the registration cost.
OWNZ Boats: NZIODA have a limited number of Optimists 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 that these are popular so it is highly recommended to book early to avoid disappointment.
REGISTER HERE for the 2027 North Island Clinic by Monday 7th December 2026
Video from NZIODA North Island Clinic 2020
Video from NZIODA North Island Clinic 2017
NZIODA Clinic 2023
NZIODA Clinic 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment.