Sir Russell Coutts, Barbara Kendall heading to Kerikeri for kids regatta

Sir Russell Coutts will be on hand helping young sailors at the O'pen Bic kids regatta in Kerikeri this weekend. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Two New Zealand sailing icons are heading to Kerikeri for the O'pen Bic kids regatta.

Sir Russell Coutts and Barbara Kendall will be on hand for the weekend's event aimed at getting young people involved in sailing.

Coutts holds a perfect record in the America's Cup as skipper with a 15-0 record in three wins (1995, 2000 and 2003) and also won a gold medal in the Finn class at the 1984 Olympic Games.

Kendall is a three time Olympic medallist in sailboarding, winning gold at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Between 30 and 50 children are expected to compete over the three-day regatta that starts on Friday.

Organiser Tony Dalbeth said it's a coup getting Coutts and Kendall up north.

"Russell is very much involved in this class of yachts," he said.

"He's pretty much the driving force behind the growth of it. He wants to get as many people as possible involved in sailing and is really passionate about it. This is a series of regattas and he heads out and helps out with the whole series.

"He's possibly the biggest name in sailing. He does a lot of coaching and has so much experience out on the boats. He's a bit smarter than your average sailor.

"The big thing though is the kids will listen to him. The kids are always very attentive and absorb what he says because of who he is in a way.

"Barbara is coming along and while we haven't locked her down for coaching we are definitely keen for her to help. I'm sure she will be more than happy to help with a bit of coaching."

The regatta centres around eight races in the O'pen Bic class. It's a single handed sailboat designed for younger sailors developed by Vitali Design and gives a dynamic, responsive, fast, sailing experience of a true dinghy that heels.

The boat was launched in 2006 and the class has gone from strength to strength since.

Dalbeth said the culture that goes with the class is equally important for budding young sailors.

"These regattas have a family activity night, a shared family meal night which brings everyone together and having a bit of fun," he said.

"It gives a nice balance to the competition and coaching. A lot of kids are full on racing all the time which can cause them to burn out so it is a nice change for that.

"In a way the Bic is in opposition to Optimist, which is slightly bigger and slightly tippier. It's faster, more exciting and doesn't have the inherent issues of the Optimist.

"Once kids jump out of the Optimist and into the Bic they aren't inclined to go back."

The regatta will consist of eight races which go for about 25 minutes to half an hour each.

Dalbeth said there is variety in the types of races.

"The race courses are a bit mixed up rather than the same old course each time. It adds a bit of variety," he said.

"There's an adventure race, which is based on the Volvo Ocean Race, there are some longer races, inlet races, one based on the America's Cup too which they start on a reach and end on a reach.

"It makes it more fun for the kids."