Today marks the exciting start of the sailing season as the Rarotonga Sailing Club (RSC) hosts its annual Open Sailing Day on the beautiful Muri lagoon.

The open day is a perfect opportunity to get to the beach and discover the joy of sailing with your friends and family in a safe environment and experience fun sailing rides supervised by qualified instructors.

Those who are keen to get into the fantastic sport of sailing can visit the club, catch a breeze, spoil themselves for lunch and refreshments at the RSC Beachfront Bar and Brasserie, and enjoy the picturesque view.

The 2025 registrations are open for membership and the after school learn to sail programmes.

According to the Club, one of the many benefits of the RSC family membership is a 10 per cent discount at the restaurant.

“To assist the staff, please ensure you have your membership card on hand so the discount can be provided.”

In the RSC newsletter, Commodore Chris Fenwick stated the club had an awesome 2024 season.

Fenwick is extremely thankful everyone who is involved in the club.

“As I look at 2025, and the work put in by all, I see the club going from strength to strength,” he said.

Off the back of the successful Rarotonga/Tahiti Regatta last year, the RSC will be sending a team of sailors to participate in the Polynesian Championship to be held in Tahiti.

Last year, sailors from Tahiti edged over Rarotonga, proving to be very competitive, taking out first place in both the Lasers and the Optimist classes. The visitors won the 2024 sailing challenge overall trophy.

The club fixtures for 2025 season are as follows, note that dates are subject to change:

Next week from January 27, after school training starts for racing teams. The preliminary timings are: Mondays and Wednesdays - Learn to Sail, Tuesdays and Thursdays - Opti Fleet, and Fridays - Youth Laser Team (training days may change).

On February 1 will be the Fun Day event, February 8 Practice Racing, February 15 Tahiti Trials (1/3), and Summer Series (1/6). The second Tahiti trial, and Summer Series (2/6) will be held on February 22. On March 1, the third and final Tahiti trial will take place and the third Summer Series. On March 8 is the Summer Series 4/6, March 15 Summer Series 5/6, and on March 22 Summer Series 6/6 and the prizegiving awards.

From March 29 to April 6, the Tahiti Oceania Championship will be held. The Laser 4.7 Nationals will be held from April 17 – 19.

The RSC executive committee members are: Commodore Chris Fenwick, vice commodore Maureen Goodwin, club captain Jacobo Miquel, rear commodore Thomas McDonald, property manager – Resti Burgess, treasurer Rose Milner, secretary Sally Malcom. General committee: Talitha Horn and Sophie Tauakume, landowner representative Maureen Goodwin, licensee representative Stephen Lyon. RSC Patrons: Patron Anne Tierney, vice patrons Steve Whitta, Peter Heays, Tony Heays, Ross Sutherland, and John Batty.

For more information, contact the club captain and Sailing Cook Islands development officer, Jacobo Miquel, at rsc.jacobo.coach@gmail.com.