Tidelines: Academy opening

Learn-to-sail classes will kick off the Royal Akarana Yacht Club's Sailing Academy with an open day at Okahu Bay next Sunday, October 13. Both Optimist and two-handed dinghies will be available and there will be a barbecue, a chance to sail on a keeler and even a fleet of radio-controlled yachts. The open day starts at noon.

Anyone interested should call the club on (09) 524 9945 or Sonya Swinburne on (09) 524 5254 or 021 126 6886.

Fitzroy signs

New Plymouth boatbuilder Fitzroy Yachts has signed to build a second Ed Dubois-designed superyacht. Work will start in February, and the company is negotiating for a third the next year. Fitzroy already has its first Dubois 122-footer under construction for an Australian owner. The yachts will cost around $17 million each, depending on final specifications.

Boating stamps

A set of first-day covers featuring six unique New Zealand boats is being issued by New Zealand Post. The boats included reflect their designers' ability to exploit new technology to handle differing sailing environments. The covers can be viewed on the NZ Post website.

Water-watch

The first round robin of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup challenger series continues this weekend. Harbourmaster James McPetrie reports the on-the-water control systems worked well for the initial stages of the regatta, particularly on the first day.

He is confident the behaviour on the water for this first weekend will follow suit. His advice is to listen to Channel 18 and the coastguard for race and course updates and be prepared for the unexpected.

Anyone planning to watch the racing on the water should make sure of obtaining a copy of the ARC-published America's Cup Boaties' Guide. It's free from chandleries, clubs and marinas and is available on the Auckland Regional Council website.

Other action:

Saturday: Opening race to Gulf Harbour, including classic yachts (RNZYS).

Sunday: Windward, leeward series, including classics, out of Gulf Harbour (RNZYS).

* Clubs or event organisers planning activity on the Manukau or Waitemata harbours should register with Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40.