Film and Speaker Program
Six engaging speaker sessions will take place each day at the Maritime Museum, with films playing on rotation all weekend long. All are invited to join the celebration! Entry is free but bookings are recommended.
The New Zealand Scow – a flashback to a bygone era
The scow was once the workhorse on the New Zealand coast. This presentation is taken from a voyage undertaken by Cliff Hawkins (Bob’s late father ), on the scow, “Rangi” in 1934.
Preservation of the vessel Coastal Trading vessel, Daring (1863)
A special presentation by Larry Paul on the Daring, the vessel originally recovered, with the consent of Heritage New Zealand, by the Daring Rescue Group, a group which included members of the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust.
Is there a sustainable future for classic boats?
Panel discussion, hosted by Classic Yacht Association deputy chair, Russell Brook as he discusses the sustainable future of classic boats with a group of specialist panellists.
Classic boats providing skills opportunity
Join us for a panel discussion with Mike Birdsall - Training Advisor, MAST and three apprentices who recently built a classic boat which is on display at this year’s Festival.
40+years of Ocean Adventures with Lin Pardey
Join us for a special session with Lin Pardey (born 1944), who sailed with her husband, Larry Pardey (1939-2020) for over 40 years covering more than 200,000nm together. As writers, known for their small boat engine-free sailing, they coined the phrase, "Go Small, Go Simple, but Go Now., and have been called the "Enablers" as their example encouraged many others to set sail despite limited incomes.
Boat restorations and maintenance on a budget
Hear from people who have undertaken substantial rebuilds, restorations and maintenance on their own classic boats.
The legacy of Gerry Clark and the Totorore Voyage – Nicholas Keenleyside
Gerry Clark was an amateur ornithologist, explorer, ship’s captain and boat builder. His opening words in his book of the Totorore Expedition describe him well: “I love the sea, I love birds, I love adventure. In what better way could I indulge myself, in these latter years of my life, than to undertake an expedition in the great Southern Ocean?”
Restoration of the vessel –Ngataki
Join us for a special presentation on the vessel Ngataki, feature of the South Sea Vagabonds book by Johnny Wray.
Sky gazing and dark sky sanctuaries
Be inspired by stories of Nalanyi Davis as sailor, star gazer and advocate of dark skies.
Pacific Voyaging and Navigating Waka Hourua
Join us for a special session with Te Toki Waka Hourua, a team from Te Toki Voyaging Trust dedicated to the perpetuation of both ancestral and contemporary skills and knowledge of Pacific Voyaging and Navigating Waka Hourua.
Ocean Sailing Adventures
Opening the festival with inspirational sister and brother, Penny and Tony Whiting. They will share stories of their offshore adventures spanning more than 55 years, most continents and well-over over 200,000nm between them.