Rising tide: youth crews bring fresh energy to the PIC Coastal Classic

There’s something pretty special about seeing young sailors take on the PIC Coastal Classic. They’re out there doing what most of us dreamed about at their age, simply chasing the horizon.

At the Russell wharf this morning, we caught up with two of the Kick crew, one of the teams that are quickly becoming the face of New Zealand’s next generation offshore. Skippered by Brendan Sands and sailing under the SSANZ banner, Kick brings together a mix of youth and experience that just works.

Two of the youngest on board came from Manly Sailing Club’s buzzing WASZP programme, the same one where Mathias Coutts, son of Sir Russell Coutts, helps coach and mentor young foiling sailors. That background showed. Even when the wind dropped and the sea turned glassy, the teens stayed sharp, trimming, helming, and calling tactics like old hands.

By the time they reached Whangārei Heads, the breeze was back, the speed climbed past 16 knots, and you could almost hear the grin in their voices. “We were becalmed for hours, then suddenly flying again,” said 15 year old Harry Jameson. “I learned so much, managing halyards, hoisting and dropping sails, and just staying organised. I can’t wait for next year.”

And next year is already the focus. There’s talk of a youth driven quarter tonner project, fully crewed and skippered by young sailors aiming for Category 3 compliance and a start line of their own. They will be joined by other youth crews inspired by teams like Wild Thing, on which their friend Luke Tucker sailed. Other boats also included teenagers, all racing for PIC Coastal Classic glory and for the simple passion of sailing. On Kick, the younger sailors grabbed about two hours of sleep between night watches, learning the rhythm of offshore life the hard way and loving it.

If the PIC Coastal Classic is about spirit, teamwork, and the quiet grit it takes to see a long race through, these kids have it in spades. The Kick crew and the families and mentors behind them show exactly why the PIC Coastal Classic remains one of the most inspiring events in New Zealand sailing.

The next generation is not just watching from the sidelines anymore, they are already at the helm.