Tide lines: Harbour users' meeting

The next meeting of the Recreational Harbour Users' Group will be held at the Richmond Yacht Club at 5pm on Thursday, May 30. The meeting will discuss a wide range of aquatic activities from waka paddling to jet-skiing, masters' swimming to sailing and everything in between. New groups or individuals interested in attending should call Hans Swete at the Auckland Regional Council Maritime Operations Centre on (09) 361 2405.

Kayak visibility

The Maritime Safety Authority this week issued a visibility warning to kayak skippers. The alert follows a number of collisions and near-misses involving kayaks and other craft on lakes, rivers and around the coast.

Power craft must give way to kayaks, but they also need to be able to see them. Because kayaks are low in the water they are easily lost from sight even among small waves. Kayak skippers must ensure they can be seen by the operators of other vessels.

The MSA suggests a bright orange or yellow flag on a whip or thin pole during daylight and a readily visible light for twilight and night operation. Details are on the Maritime Safety Authority website.

Water-watch

More than 50 boats are expected to contest the Canterbury Winter Series starting on Sunday out of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, with big fleets of Farr 1020s and Young 88s. The first race of the series is fully crewed and this class continues every second Sunday through to September 8. More information on the Royal Akarana Yacht Club

Weekend activity includes:

Saturday: Women's winter series starts (PCC); fully crewed winter series starts (RYC); MRX winter match-racing (RNZYS).

Saturday and Sunday: Laser freshwater championships, Lake Pupuke (PBC).

Sunday: Canterbury fully crewed series starts (RAYC); Logan winter series starts (PCC); Howick winter series (HSC).

* Clubs and organisations planning events on or in the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register with the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40.