Napier 2029
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2029 OK Dinghy World Championship Napier is hosting the 2029 OK Dinghy Worlds
The New Zealand OK Dinghy Association is proud to confirm that Napier Sailing Club (NSC) will host the 2029 OK Dinghy World Championship, following a successful bid backed by an overwhelming majority of NZOKDA members at the 2025 AGM. NSC has a long history of delivering world-class regattas — including two previous OK Dinghy World Championships, in 1994 and 2002 — and offers exceptional facilities, a professional and experienced volunteer base, and a stunning natural venue on the Hawke's Bay coastline.
| ~10–18 knotsReliable sea breezes across the January/February sailing season | 23–28°CTypical summer daytime temperatures | 1994 & 2002NSC's previous OK Dinghy World Championship years |
Napier's slightly sheltered waters off the Pacific Ocean offer competitive, tactical racing with minimal tidal effect — ideal for world championship-standard fleet racing. The club's marina, multiple launching ramps, large rigging and measurement facilities, and licensed clubhouse with panoramic Hawke's Bay views make it a venue built for events of this scale.
Why Hawke's Bay? More than just great sailing
Competitors and their families travelling from overseas will find Hawke's Bay is one of New Zealand's premier food, wine and lifestyle destinations — with plenty to fill the days between races.
Photo: Art Deco Festival Napier |
Napier Art Deco WeekendNapier is world-renowned for its 1930s Art Deco architecture, rebuilt after the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. The annual Art Deco Festival brings the city to life with vintage cars, period costume, live music and street parties — and in our build-up year it falls right in the lead-up to the Interdominions regatta, giving visiting sailors and families a taste of Napier at its most vibrant. |
Photo: Craggy Range |
World-class wineriesHawke's Bay is New Zealand's oldest wine region, home to globally rated vineyards such as Craggy Range. Many cellar doors, restaurants and cafes showcasing local produce are within walking or short driving distance of Napier Sailing Club — perfect for a relaxed lay day. |
Photo: Molly Rose Nilsson / National Aquarium of New Zealand |
National Aquarium of New ZealandA short walk from the club in Ahuriri, the National Aquarium is a great family outing on a non-race day, home to sharks, native New Zealand wildlife and much more. |
Photo: Craggy Range |
Te Mata Peak & the bike trailsFor those wanting to stretch their legs off the water, Te Mata Peak offers sweeping views across Hawke's Bay, and the region's extensive network of cycling trails is perfect for a rest-day ride through vineyards and countryside. |
Extending the trip
Hawke's Bay is also a great base for exploring more of the North Island. Within about half a day's drive of Napier:
- Taupo & the Tongariro Crossing — one of the world's great one-day alpine hikes
- Rotorua — geothermal valleys, Māori culture and adventure activities
- The East Cape — remote coastline and beaches
- Wellington — New Zealand's capital city
Napier Airport offers direct flights from major New Zealand cities with onward international connections, and a direct relationship with Napier Port means simple, seamless logistics for shipping boats and equipment from overseas.
The road to 2029: build-up events
The build-up to the World Championship starts in earnest in 2028 with the Interdominions (Australia v New Zealand) — and while it's a trans-Tasman contest at heart, sailors from anywhere in the world are very welcome to come and race. In the same window, a warm-up regatta (the Hawke's Bay Invitational) and the NSC's other summer events give visiting sailors a chance to familiarise themselves with the venue a full year out from the Worlds — with Napier's famous Art Deco Weekend providing a memorable backdrop right before racing gets underway.
All welcome: whether or not you're racing the Interdominions itself, the 2028 build-up regattas are open to international entries and are a great way to experience the venue, conditions and hospitality before returning for the Worlds in 2029.
2028 Interdominions build-up schedule
| Date | Day | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 2028 | Sat | NSC Club Racing |
| 22 Jan 2028 | Sat | NSC Club Racing |
| 29 Jan 2028 | Sat | NSC Club Racing |
| 12–13 Feb 2028 | Sat–Sun | Hawke's Bay Invitational |
| 17–20 Feb 2028 | Thu–Sun | Art Deco Weekend |
| 22 Feb 2028 | Tue | NZ Nationals / Interdominions — 3 Races |
| 23 Feb 2028 | Wed | NZ Nationals / Interdominions — 2 Races |
| 24 Feb 2028 | Thu | NZ Nationals / Interdominions — 3 Races |
| 25 Feb 2028 | Fri | NZ Nationals / Interdominions — 2 Races |
2029 Championship schedule
| Date | Day | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| 3–4 Feb 2029 | Sat–Sun | Hawke's Bay Invitational |
| 15–18 Feb 2029 | Thu–Sun | Art Deco Weekend |
| 20–22 Feb 2029 | Tue–Thu | NZ Nationals / Interdominions |
| 24–25 Feb 2029 | Sat–Sun | World Championship Registration |
| 26 Feb 2029 | Mon | Registration / Practice Race / Opening Ceremony |
| 27 Feb – 1 Mar 2029 | Tue–Thu | Racing — 2 races per day |
| 2 Mar 2029 | Fri | Lay Day |
| 3–4 Mar 2029 | Sat–Sun | Racing — 2 races per day, Prizegiving |
Napier Sailing Club: ready to deliver
Napier Sailing Club has a proven track record hosting international and national sailing events, including:
- 1994 & 2002 — OK Dinghy World Championships and Interdominions
- 2009 — Flying Dutchman World Championship (45 boats, 34 international crews)
- 2011 — Optimist World Championship
- 2017 — Flying Fifteen World Championship
- 2022 — Joint Starling and Optimist Nationals
- 2024 — New Zealand ILCA Nationals
- Annually — the NSC Summer Regatta, regularly attracting 150+ competitors across 8 fleets
The club has a modern marina, multiple launching ramps and ample rigging space, a dedicated fleet of safety and committee boats, a spacious clubhouse with meeting rooms, large-event catering, a licensed bar and free Wi-Fi, plus a large measurement shed and parking for 100+ cars and trailers.
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