Waiheke Delivers: NZ Interdominion 2026 Blends Racing, Camaraderie and Classic LT Adventure

The 2026 Windsurfer LT NZ Interdominion on Waiheke Island has been hailed as one of the most memorable regattas in recent years, combining tactical racing, spectacular scenery, light-wind patience, close battles and the kind of off-water camaraderie that makes the LT class unique.

Hosted around Oneroa and Onetangi on Waiheke Island, the regatta drew strong support from both New Zealand and Australian sailors, with competitors and supporters praising not just the racing, but the entire experience — from logistics and hospitality through to live public tracking and the warm atmosphere onshore.

The event opened with plenty of anticipation, a few forecast nerves, and the usual banter. But once racing got underway, the regatta quickly developed its own character. Sailors dealt with everything from shifty light airs to sea-breeze racing, tactical marathon legs and highly variable conditions that demanded patience, judgement and resilience.

Across the four days of sailing the fleet covered around 100 kilometres on the water, completing three marathons, six races and two buddy races, along with an hour-long question and answer session with Olympic Gold Medallist Bruce Kendall.

Day One

Day one began with a start at Bucklands Beach, sending the fleet on a downwind leg to Motuihe Island. After landing, sailors enjoyed lunch on the beach and a visit to read about the island’s history before heading back onto the water.

The afternoon leg took the fleet across to Oneroa, using a handicap start based on the first-leg times. Along the way, sailors received coaching tips from the support inflatables, adding a development element to the day.

Day Two

Day two delivered four course races held in weight divisions in the busy bay off Waiheke. The regatta unfolded amongst a colourful mix of recreational boats whose crews chatted with the windsurfers while racing continued around them.

The final race of the day saw all sailors compete in a single fleet with a simple prize: first to the beach wins the bottle of rum. The energy level instantly lifted, with sailors pushing hard for the line.

Day Three

Day three became a magical mystery tour, with the fleet weaving in and out of bays on a scenic course to Onetangi and back. Once again a handicap start was used to keep the fleet tight and competitive.

Later, David’s tracking system became the centre of attention, displaying sailors’ routes, speeds and heart rates. The technology added a fascinating new dimension to analysing the racing.

Day Four

The final day began in relaxed style under a shady tree on the beach with an hour-long question and answer session with Bruce Kendall, giving sailors the chance to hear insights from one of windsurfing’s great champions.

Racing then resumed with two buddy races, pairing experienced sailors with less experienced competitors. Teams raced together with the finishing result based on the last sailor in the pair, encouraging teamwork and mentoring.

By the end of the races, improvement in both skill and race craft was clearly visible across the fleet.

After the official program finished, some sailors with time to spare made the sail back to Bucklands Beach in a fresh 10–20 knot breeze. On the way they stopped at Brown’s Island, hiking to the summit for spectacular views across the Hauraki Gulf.

A Setting That Stole the Show

One of the standout themes of the event was the setting itself. Competitors repeatedly described sailing around Waiheke as something special. One sailor said the scenery was “absolutely stunning,” while another spoke of the shifting breeze and the feeling of racing in a place unlike anywhere else they had sailed before.

The live tracking system added a modern edge to the regatta and created plenty of interest both on and off the water. Friends, family and followers were able to watch the racing unfold in real time, with several sailors commenting on how impressive it was to have the action visible live from anywhere in the world.

Racing Highlights

On the racecourse, there were some standout performances and memorable duels. Bruce Kendall had already drawn praise earlier in the season, and during the Interdominion itself sailors and spectators enjoyed several close contests, including a much-discussed battle between Sham Watkins and Bruce Kendall.

Sham’s form across the event clearly made an impression, and by the end of the regatta emotion was running high.

In one of the most heartfelt reactions of the week, Sham described the event as “another amazing Kiwi experience on and off the water” and said it was the first regatta he had ever won, adding that he had “started crying on the phone with my parents.”

It was a moment that captured exactly what the LT class does so well — serious racing wrapped in friendship, humour and personal milestones.

A Class Built on Community

The event also welcomed sailors returning to the sport or stepping back into competition after a long break. One competitor reflected that it had been 36 years since competing internationally, describing the weekend as feeling like a dream.

Another sailor simply summed it up:

“Quite honestly the best regatta I’ve been to.”

Across the fleet, competitors praised the competition, camaraderie and support throughout, highlighting the respect shown on the water and the friendships that resumed the moment everyone came ashore.

For many, that was the real story of Waiheke — not just who finished where, but how the regatta managed to feel both competitive and deeply welcoming at the same time.

Behind the Scenes

The organisation received widespread praise. Bruce Kendall, David Tangye, Steve, Andrew Tridgell and the wider support crew were repeatedly thanked for the enormous amount of work behind the scenes.

From accommodation support and transport planning to board storage, support boats, communications and race management, the event ran on a combination of dedication, problem-solving and good humour.

Onshore support was another major success. Food, social time, informal coaching, debriefs and shared dinners helped create an atmosphere that felt more like a gathering of old friends than a conventional championship.

One competitor said the onshore side of the event had gone “far above and beyond expectations.”

The LT Experience

As the regatta drew to a close and sailors made the trip back to Auckland, the tone in the group chat said everything: exhaustion, laughter, gratitude and already talk of next year.

For a class that prides itself on being as much about people as podiums, the NZ Interdominion 2026 looked to be a perfect advertisement.

It was racing, adventure, travel, teamwork, technology, sea breezes, long lunches, moving stories and plenty of laughs — a reminder that Windsurfer LT events are at their best when they deliver both quality competition and a genuinely memorable shared experience.

Quote Highlights

“It’s been the first regatta I’ve won.”

“Quite honestly the best regatta I’ve been to.”

“The scenery was absolutely stunning.”

“Great competition on the water and great friendships once we’re back on land.”

“I learned heaps and can’t wait to get back out there.”

If the goal was to showcase everything that makes the LT class special, Waiheke absolutely nailed it.