In 2020, Takapuna Boating Club celebrated 100 years since its formation. Read on to learn how TBC as we know it today came to be...

Takapuna Boating Club started as many good ideas often do with a group of people discussing boats. To settle the arguments of who was the best, it was determined to race. The race off Bayswater, won by Consort, garnered much enthusiasm and a second race was organised for a couple weeks later, with a £2 prize up for grabs. Following the success of this second race, it was suggested that a club be formed, so in February 1914, the Bayswater Boating Club came to be.

The club initially prospered, with regular racing and club picnics taking place. However, the Great War understandably took its toll on membership and activities at the club, and in 1917 the club lapsed.

The interest to reform the club by members came a few years later. A meeting was called on 6th February 1920 and a motion “that a Boating Club, to be called Takapuna Boating Club, be formed” was carried unanimously. A boat harbour was set up at Bayswater (where the Marina now sits) and sailing occurred in Shoal Bay. No club rooms were yet established and meetings were held at member’s houses or club halls in the district. In the following years with membership growing, sailing and social activities expanding, the need for a clubhouse grew evident. Funds were tight but enthusiasm was high, and with plenty of that kiwi DIY attitude an Irelands Tannery building was purchased from Panmure and relocated to the Bayswater site, which was finally completed in 1925. The clubhouse was very popular, aside from yachting was used for dances, boxing, library, school events, ladies mornings and roller skating.

During these years, the club established itself as a hub for centreboard sailing, successfully starting the Cornwall Cup contest as well as being involved in forming the Z Class and Finn Class in New Zealand. However in 1969, due to the nature of the popular new dinghy classes such as the Finn and Flying Dutchman, racing was moved to the sailing waters off Takapuna Beach. Overall, this provided a greater sailing area unrestricted by the tide. It wasn’t until 1990 when clubrooms were set up in Takapuna, thanks again to the mucking in from members to set up a site on Hurstmere.

In 2002, Takapuna Boating Club clubhouse as we know was set up in The Strand, Takapuna Beach. The facility included social areas, boat equipment storage, and office space.

Today, Takapuna Boating Club has a range of watersport memberships including dinghy, kite and windsurfing sailors, surfski, SUP and Waka ama paddlers, triathlon and ocean swimming members as well as social members. The club runs regular sailing and paddling activities, including national championship competitions, providing members with great facilities on a prime beachfront location.

TBC has developed a reputation as a world class regatta venue, having hosted multiple successful class world championships regattas over the years including the International 14 Class (2005), Laser Radial & RSX (2008), Splash (2010), Junior 470 (2012), A Class Catamaran (2014) Finn (2015) and Tornado (2008, 2019) classes.