The Opua Business Association (OBA) in the Bay of Islands is sending a fleet of Optis to the Va’vau Bluewater School in Neiafu, Tonga to introduce the joy of sailing to the region’s youngsters.

Championed by Seapower’s Bruce Fuller (a long-time OBA member), the initial idea would see OBA members obtaining and refurbishing old sailing dinghies, branding them with company logos and sending them to Neiafu. But the project really got traction when Kerikeri Cruising Club upgraded its learn-to-sail boats and gifted seven Opti hulls to OBA.

These boats needed significant work, but with help from the Bay of Islands Boatyard team the hulls were sanded and painted. Keen local yachtie Jeff Knewstubb (Stubbie) donated his time to reassemble the boats.

All the local sailmakers (North Sails, Doyle Sails and Wills Sailmakers) co-operated to provide new sails for the fleet. Cater Marine donated much of the required hardware with other members of the OBA providing sponsorship to pay the costs for new rigs.

Activities organised by OBA (with cruisers attending the annual Blue Water Festival in Va’vau) raised funds to purchase a container, which Bay of Islands Boat Storage supplied at cost. The container will be used not only to transport the Optis to Tonga but will stay on at the Neiafu waterfront as a storage facility and base for the sailing school.

Ex-pat New Zealander Greg Just from Neiafu’s Tropicania Café runs the Blue Water School, a no-cost local programme that teaches water safety and skills. He will ensure the local kids get to enjoy these boats.

There’s only one piece of the puzzle missing from this two-year labour of love – the funds to ship the container to Va’vau. OBA is planning a fundraising event as part of the Opua Cruiser’s festival in November. Any organisation keen to step-up and provide a helping donation would be much appreciated.