The BBYC Keeler division offers a number of activities that take place all year round.

Not only are there the more traditional fully crewed racing events there are also family cruising, rum racing, short-handed sailing and special events such as national championships and regional teams events (Gold Cup, keel boat nationals).

Midweek twilight racing takes place during the summer months on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings commencing late October and offers many divisions for trailer yachts to large keelboats, either fully crewed or short-handed, with or without extras. Results are read each evening after racing at a fun social gathering at the Clubhouse. This is a welcome break in the middle of the working week.

The Cruising Series is sailed over weekends during the summer months commencing late October and is a combination of passage races, fun rallies, beach activities and barbecues. It has a strong social element and all boat owners, family and friends are encouraged to participate.

Rum Racing is staged each Friday afternoon, all year round (except through the Christmas break). It is a chance for all who sail to step back and unwind after a hard week and have a few laughs in a laid back atmosphere. The mass starts at 3.30 pm (summer Hours) or 2.30pm (winter hours) at Grangers Point, an exciting spectacle, and three times a year we run 'major' rum races with mark foy starts where the slower boats go first. The finish of these races are renown as a spectacle as the 'greyounds catch up to the rabbits' all in the sight of the finish line.

A highlight of the Rum race programme is the annual round Waiheke race, run on a Saturday afternoon, ending at the club with the usual after race fun.

Short-handed Sailing Races are staged during the summer season offering a different challenge for boat owners and crew. Three single-handed races are held, with both extras and no extras divisions, the first being a sprint around Motuihe, and then the Kawau Classic weekend, two passage races, and a barbecue on the Saturday night between races.

A Two-Handed, two race weekend (Friday - Saturday) is also staged which is extremely popular. Again, the social side comes through with a barbecue on the Saturday night at the Club House.

The BBYC WINTER series is sailed on every second Sunday afternoon during the winter months commencing on the second weekend in May. This series offers competitive racing over a number of divisions from trailer yachts to large keelboats, with or without extras. A complementary after race barbecue and prize giving is held at the Clubhouse.

During the year BBYC holds nationals for two keelboat classes, and a weekend regatta for all class boats. Our keelers are also very active in the Auckland Gold Cup series which is a number of different courses throughout the year. This series is hotly contented by all the major clubs. The BBYC team continues to excel in this event and have won the Team Trophy numerous times.

Club boats also compete actively and with distinction in offshore races over recent years. BBYC cruisers are also seen in most ports in the Pacific during the winter cruising season.

There is certainly something for every yachtie, young or old, novice or experienced, at BBYC. Contact us at the club office for further details of events or to register your interest in crewing if you don't own a boat yet.