Tidelines: ARC to explain coastal occupation charges

The Auckland Yacht and Boating Association has sent out a "be there" alert to its members for the next meeting on May 16. The Auckland Regional Council will be there to background the proposed coastal occupation charges.

Clubs occupying the seabed in any way, or whose members have moorings, jetties or marinas, may have to pay for the privilege. The association's message says: "The ARC wants more of your money", which should guarantee a good turn-out for the 7pm meeting at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

CREW WEBSITE ADDS TWO NEW FEATURES

Having grown to a community of several thousand New Zealand sailors, the crew.org.nz sailing website has launched two new features. RaceTrack, an unofficial ranking system of 900 yachts, is updated monthly with results from races throughout the country.

From May 25 it will add a series of Race Clinics designed to develop the skills of keelboat sailors.

Topics covered will include weather and navigation, tactics and rules, boat speed and boat handling, and coastal and short-handed racing techniques. A "Sailing 101" session will cater for those who want to learn in a classroom environment.

One of the organisers, Zoe Hawkins, says the website is about to be redesigned to cope with the extended activity.

WATER-WATCH

The Anzac Day Regatta on Monday winds up a busy racing and cruising weekend. Main activity:

Saturday and Sunday: Cruising weekend (Ponsonby CC); Elliott 5.9 and ff15 Auckland Championships (Royal Akarana Yacht Club).

Saturday to Monday: Women's match racing (RNZYS); Trans-Tasman Challenge (RNZYS); Family cruising event, trailer yachts (Waikato Trailer Yacht Squadron).

Monday: Anzac Day Regatta (Victoria Cruising Club).

Organisations planning events on or in the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register in advance with the Auckland Regional Council Customer Service Centre on (09) 366 2000. The 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.

Editorial inquiries to Robin Bailey on (09) 524 4572