Environmental payoff for SailGP event

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

The Waimakariri Sailing Club (WSC) is gearing up for SailGP to hit Lyttelton with a few events in the lead-up.

As part of getting local fans closer to the SailGP teams, each local sailing club has been adopted by a SailGP team and their environmental impact league partners.

The WSC has been adopted by the Canadian SailGP and its impact league partner, Ocean Wise.

"The SailGP is the epitome of yacht racing on the edge," WSC Commodore Sam Jones said.

"With nine teams racing at speeds of almost 100kph around a tight course on foils is exciting, heart stopping and so good to watch. Every team wants to win so they throw everything at it, and Lyttelton is such a great amphitheatre to hold such a great event."

SailGP isn't all about racing - it's also about local inclusion, community events, inspiring young people and environmental sustainability, which the North Canterbury community can be part of. Other community partners will be involved, including the North Canterbury Coast Guard.

On Sunday (March 12), the WSC will host Ocean Wise in a shoreline rubbish collection from Kairaki Beach north up to Waikuku, and the banks of the Waimakariri River. They will also work with the Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust to plant as many trees as possible along the coastal pathway near where fire destroyed a large section in November last year.

"We need people, as many people as we can get," Jones said.

"We want everyone who can to join us to look after our backyard and bring awareness to why our environment is so important - it will be a lot of fun and something different to do."

The event starts at 11am at the Waimakariri Sailing Club, 65 Featherston Ave, Kairaki Beach.

"We will bring all of the rubbish we collect back to the sailing club for Ocean Wise to sort and recycle."

A sausage sizzle will be held at the end of the event to thank those who helped.

The WSC will also host the Canadian SailGP team at 6.30pm on Thursday March 16 for a meet and greet, and people will be able to join club members on March 18 and 19 to watch the racing on the big screen.