College teams
Most Colleges in Nelson/Tasman have sailing teams – a squad of 12-14 sailors enables two teams. Training is after school during terms 4 and 1 of the school year (with schools allocated different afternoons). Inter-school racing takes place each Sunday in the Nelson harbour (terms 4 & 1).
Safe environment
NBTS offers a safe and healthy club environment for students. NBTS has detailed health and safety standard operating procedures, which are updated on a regular basis, and as required by law.
Coaching
To ensure the students are correctly instructed, safely and with respect for the boats, NBTS contracts a qualified coach for the summer season (through Nelson Yacht Club). This season our coach is Patrick Harris. Patrick is an experienced sailor and coach.
Cost
An estimate of costs to expect per sailor when joining Nelson Bays Team Sailing for the 2025-26 season:
Nelson Yacht Club Youth Membership – $114. This covers the whole sailing season spanning 2 terms. To participate in Team Sailing you are required to be a member of the Nelson Yacht Club.
Term 4 2025 Membership - $330. This covers a 3 hour coaching session after school each week and 3 hours of Sunday racing supervised by the coach. The duration is 8 weeks. It also covers use of the yachts, yacht club facilities, maintenance of equipment, a small amount for future purchases (such as new boats), and a one-off contribution to the Hands Up fund.
Term 1 2026 Membership - $380. This includes 3 hours coaching per week, racing on Sunday, and coaching towards the Regionals. This fee also covers use of the yachts, yacht club facilities, repairs and maintenance, and a small amount for future purchases (such as new boats).
Regional Regatta (Nelson) 12 to 15 March 2026 - registration fee TBC. All sailors participate in the regional regatta and the cost per sailor is based on a percentage of the Regatta fee.
Nationals (Whangarei) – cost TBC. As a guide, the cost for a Nelson College sailor attending the 2025 Nationals in Whanganui (with food and incidentals extra) was $1,473. The cost to attend Nationals in 2026 will be higher given flights to Auckland or Whangarei and minivan hire.
Coaching and additional Nationals training - $TBC.
Other Costs:
Term 4 2025 beginners and development sailors holiday programme – $180 for 3 days. Monday 29th September to Wednesday 1 October, 9am-4pm.
Term 4 2025 advanced sailors holiday programme - $120 for 2 days. Thursday 2 to Friday 3 October, 9am-4pm.
Term 1 2026 Summer Holiday Programme - $65 per day. The dates for this will be announced soon. It is likely to be split between experienced and beginner sailors.
Equipment required - Buoyancy vest (these are available at approximately $100), wet weather gear, gloves, booties. Sailors are likely to have most of this sailing gear already, but if not, nzsailing.com and Burnsco Marine carry a good range.
If you would like to find out more, please contact:
Nelson College for Girls Manager | Rachel Davidson | 027 244 1891 |
Nelson College Manager | Nicki Lawes | 027 771 1173 |
Nayland College Manager | Dale McDonald | 0210 309 043 |
Waimea College Manager | Karen Cameron | 021 0267 1940 |
Garin Manager | Matthew McTague | 021 241 6965 |
For all other inquiries, please contact NBTS Secretary Priti Brixton on 021 234 7014.
| Please Note: this is not a “learn to sail” sport. Learn to Sail Level 1 is the minimum entry requirement. You can do this course at the Nelson Yacht Club |