Kerikeri High School Sailing Academy

Kerikeri High School has established a strong sailing reputation in recent years winning several national and international titles. Former students have gone on to compete in major world ocean races, The Americas Cup and The Olympics.

Building on this reputation, the school started a Sailing Academy in 2000. In a half or one year course, students are given a well rounded mix of theory and practical sailing skills leading to internationally recognised qualifications. The Academy is run by three tutors with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Our tutors have considerable experience in a wide range of boats, regattas and sailing conditions. They have spent many years teaching and passing on their knowledge and expertise. The Sailing Academy owns or has access to excellent facilities including a fleet of 30 boats, shore facilities at Lake Manuwai and The Kerikeri Cruising Club, and the waters of Lake Manuwai and The Bay of Islands. The Academy has close ties with Yachting New Zealand and The New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

The Kerikeri High School Sailing Academy is directed by Mrs Diane Kelsey with assistance from Mr Derry Godbert and Mrs Julie Kidman.

Diane Kelsey lives in Kerikeri with her husband and two young children. She is a NZ Yachting Federation Club instructor has a certificate in Marine Studies, Boatmaster certificate, is a NZ lifesaver, has her PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor's certificate, Life Support Certificate of Competency and has tutored students in NZ and the USA.

Derry Godbert has spent a lifetime sailing all kinds of boats from small dinghies to ocean racers, competing in numerous class regattas and collecting several titles. Under his guidance the Kerikeri High School Sailing Team has won 10 National Teams Racing titles and 8 Interdominion titles. Kerikeri teams also represented New Zealand at the ISAF World Teams Racing Championships in Miami, USA 1997 (4th), Ireland 1999 (1st), The Czech Republic 2001 (1st), and Auckland, NZ 2003 (3rd).

Julie Kidman has been sailing since childhood. She has raced and cruised in a range of boats from high performance 12 foot skiffs to offshore keel boats, competing successfully in local, coastal and offshore events. Julie is a Coastguard qualified NZ Coastal Skipper and recently spent time cruising in the Pacific region with her husband and two children aboard their 14m catamaran.

Sailing Academy - Facilities
Kerikeri High School has a fleet of 30 boats ranging from single training dinghies to small keelboats. Classes include Optimists, Sunbursts, Mistrals, Phase IIs and 420s. Because of the close association with the Cruising Club, many students crew for local skippers on 30 foot keelboats in club races giving them experience on larger boats.

The school has the use of the boatsheds and facilities at Lake Manuwai and The Kerikeri Cruising Club. The Cruising Club has its own clubhouse and marina on the Bay of Islands at the entrance to The Kerikeri Inlet.