PIC Coastal Classic - the only way to stay entertained over the Labour Day long weekend!

Entries for the 2026 PIC Coastal Classic close Monday 12 October, so if you’ve been waiting for a sign to enter the Great Race North, congratulations, this is the sign. 

The “Coastal” isn’t just another yacht race. It’s the unofficial start of summer sailing: 119 nautical miles from Devonport to Russell, featuring fast boats, slow boats, big boats, small boats, medium sized boats, race boats, cruising boats - basically any boat that can get Category is eligible for the start line antics.

And who doesn’t want to race to the Bay of Islands over Labour Weekend? The alternative is probably gardening, so to ensure you don’t get dragged into something else, get your entry in, because that entry is your ticket to an epic weekend away!

On Friday 23 October from 0930, the fleet will head north past Rangitoto, Kawau, Bream Bay and Cape Brett. While some of the fleet will be chasing line honours, others will be focused on handicap results, but will be trying to beat that one boat they insist they’re “not really racing.”

First raced in 1982, the PIC Coastal Classic has become a Kiwi sailing rite of passage. There’s the spectacle of the start, the long race north (or short if you’re on one of those fast boats), the finish-line horn and the unbeatable feeling of arriving in Russell knowing the boat, the crew and most of the snacks made it intact.

Whether you’re a seasoned Coastal campaigner or preparing for your first race north, this is the weekend that gets summer started properly.

With one week to go, 73 yachts and multis have their name on the entry list, five of those making the journey north in cruising mode. These people know how to do a long weekend properly!

New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club Commodore Adrian Percival says the Coastal has a way of bringing together a huge cross-section of the sailing community.

“That’s what makes the Coastal such a great race. You’ve got the really quick boats chasing line honours, cruising boats enjoying the journey, and everything in between. Everyone has their own race within the race, but we’re all heading to the same place - Russell.”

“I’m actually one of those five heading north in cruising mode - this is the first time I will have done the Coastal in this division, so the slushie machine is coming north too!”

So enter the boat, confirm the crew, get that job list ticked off and take part in yet another epic long weekend featuring you, and the PIC Coastal Classic!

Entries close Monday 12 October.