The Royal Akarana Yacht Club sits in the rich natural and cultural waters of Okahu Bay, boasts the country’s most significant youth sailing academy, is the home of blue water sailing, and is now a major partner of New Zealand owned and operated sailmaker Doyle Sails.
For more than four decades, Doyle Sails has been an avid supporter of New Zealand clubs and sailors, sharing the passion for sailing with others and driving opportunities for more people to experience the sport. A legacy set to continue as Doyle Sails and the Royal Akarana Yacht Club sign a significant partnership in both tenure and financial contribution. The internationally recognised sailmaker will now be a major partner and the Official Sailmaker of the prestigious club.
The partnership will see more support from Doyle Sails directed into the RAYC Academy and Learn to Sail fleets while playing a significant part in continuing to develop Blue Water sailing and the RAYC’s wider programmes. The partnership will increase the opportunity for sailors to gain more experience through a combination of world-class equipment and give access to the Grand Prix sailors for which Doyle Sails is globally renowned.
Doyle Sails International’s Chief Commercial Officer, Emma Hendy commented, “As a kiwi owned and operated company, supporting our local clubs, sailors, and businesses is something we will always be passionate about. There is an obvious and very natural fit between Doyle Sails and RAYC, with a shared commitment to excellence in sailing and supporting sailors. We’ve supported the RAYC Academy since 2021 and are excited to strengthen the partnership further into their wider sailing community”.
Doyle Sails will also be the naming right sponsor for the 24/25 Gold Cup Series, New Zealand’s premier passage racing, alongside the Akarana Summer and Winter series’.
“We’re honoured that Doyle Sails recognises the effort and energy RAYC put into nurturing pathways – getting kids into sailing and keeping them on the water. With Doyle Sails’ unwavering support of RAYC, our Academy, Club racing, and Bluewater programmes will go from strength to strength, enabling all sailors to do what they love and go sailing!” commented Nick Hanson, RAYC Commodore.
As NZ’s premier destination for competitive and recreational marine sports, the Royal Akarana Yacht Club’s is housed within The Hyundai Marine Sports Centre – a vibrant, fully inclusive, non-profit facility that delivers outstanding facilities to marine-based users for competitive, recreational and educational purposes. The vision for all users of this space is to create safer pathways to the sea for everyone, in an accessible environment in which people can explore some of NZ’s most valuable taonga (treasure) — moana (sea) and whenua (land) while actively promoting water safety education and recreation opportunities, and building stronger community connections at the hub.
RAYC Member Benefits:
RAYC members will receive 15% off new sail
ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // Doyle Sails strives to deliver success through high-performance, high-quality, custom sails that continue to redefine the boundaries of sailmaking technology and innovation whilst connecting sailors to inspire, support and encourage sailing.
Our obsession with sailing takes us to every corner of the world and onboard every yacht. We become part of teams, share in the adventures of friends and families, sharing our knowledge and experience with those with the same passion. Sailing is in our DNA, and we are the custodians of a legacy that has been supporting sailors for four decades and counting.
From dinghies, club racers and cruising yachts, through to Grand Prix campaigns and Superyachts, Doyle Sails are the experts to help you find the perfect sails to match your sailing style.
By sailors, for sailors.
Doyle Sails // Global Marketing Manager: Danielle Burridge, Danielle.burridge@doylesails.com
Royal Akarana Yacht Club // Marketing, Events & Sponsorship: Hannah Powrie, Hannah@akarana.co.nz