From the helm

It's all go round here at Island Cruising HQ! We've got the 2024 Pacific Rally registrations open, and have got ten boats signed up already, plus International boats joining us to sail to New Zealand this summer, as well as the South Island Rally now open too. There are heaps of fun times and adventures ahead!

It is starting to feel a bit more spring like here in Christchurch, and it is nice to see some more snow on the mountains, but I can't wait to get back up to Fiji early next month to join in with the fun and festivities at the Musket Cove Regatta week which is held every year in September.

It is the 39th edition of this iconic event and I am excited to be catching up with some of the Pacific Rally participants and meeting the International sailors who are heading south with us to NZ at the end of the season.

We've currently got rally boats in Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia The beauty of the Pacific Rally is that you still have all the support and backup, connection with the other cruisers on the rally and you can also choose your own destinations and dates. The flexibility is there to do your own thing, or to catch up with the other rally boats along the way

We've now got 89 boats on the Pacific rally and the support they give to one another is incredible. Anything from a social cup of coffee, bonfire on the beach, helping fix each others boats, delivering parts with their crew flying in and out, sharing their tips about anchorages and routes between islands, right through to some dramatic rescues when things don't all go to plan.

The camaraderie between the participants is something I am so proud to be a part of

As well as helping one another, you'll also find rally participants out helping the locals too. Fibreglass repairs to the village boats, donating items to the local school, distributing glasses donated by the Lions Club, and even just buying local goods, sharing a fish they've caught or taking a tour. For some remote villages, the visiting yachties are one of their only sources of income, and the friendships you make with the local people along the way are priceless

Of course we also like to ensure we do the right thing, ensuring that we obey the local protocols such as the sevusevu in Fiji, coutume in New Caledonia or simply going ashore to introduce yourself and ask for permission to stay for a few days in other countries. Taking care with the environment, using holding tanks, removing all our rubbish, and treading lightly along the way. It is all a part of the rally culture which I think cannot be underestimated

The majority of sailors are conscious about doing the right thing, however not everyone is careful and respectful of the cultures, environment and regulations of the places they visit. We've come across a few people on our travels who don't appear to care about leaving a good impression and there is a risk that all cruisers get tarred with the same brush so to speak. Ensuring that cruisers maintain a good reputation and are welcomed back year on year is vitally important for everyone to aim for

If you are keen to explore more of our stunning country and sail the South Island this summer, we have also got the South Island Rally ready to launch. There will also be a webinar on Monday night. All the details are here.

I will be up in Auckland next week to launch the Pacific Rally 2024 at Devonport Yacht Club on Tuesday night I'd love to catch up and meet you, so if you are around please do come along for a drink and a chat

If you can't make it to Devonport, I'll also be launching all the plans in Christchurch on Thursday night or on an online webinar the following week. Check out all the details later in the newsletter or on our website here.

In other news, I am very excited to have been nominated for the Lux Global Nautical Tourism Awards for 2023. The fishing exploits of the Pacific Rally participants was also featured in the NZ Fishing Magazine August edition - grab yourself a copy to have a read! I've also been invited to attend the Whangārei Maritime Festival in October which is shaping up to be a great event. I am also hoping to race in the Coastal Classic after that so I hope to see you along the way.

If you are a marine business and keen to promote your products or services to all the incoming cruisers as well as the people preparing to go offshore next year, we have marketing opportunities to suit every budget! Please get in touch.

If you are going to be up in Musket Cove for Regatta - I look forward to catching up with you there, or at one of the rally launches in Auckland, Christchurch or online in the next week or so.

Happy sailing!

Cheers Viki