Kia Ora Koutou, Welcome to O.A.R.S NELSON

O.A.R.S NELSON is a recently formed local rowing group, set up in 2016 to foster coastal rowing and dinghy cruising  in the Top of the South area using the St Ayles rowing Skiff as our "preferred touring rowing boat". 

To our group members the challenge includes building the boat as well as fostering community links and sharing ‘adventure row’ experiences with fellow boat users, be they from the local area, rowers from other locations in New Zealand, or overseas visitors who row the St. Ayles Skiff and would appreciate an opportunity to row in the Nelson region.

We are keen to coordinate and host a range of row/sail challenges and ‘raids’, utilising some of our best and attractive coastline and lakes, namely Abel Tasman National Park, the Marlborough Sounds and Nelson Lakes National Park,  as interest and size of the group grows. 

Since our group was formed we have broadened our thinking of what constitutes the "ideal coastal rowing skiff " and global research has unveiled enterprising traditional and new modern designs that replicate the best features of traditional craft, which include the latest ideas, technology and materials, as well as incorporating complementary "sail and row" motive power options. 

Two of the latest designs we particularly like are the Angus row/sailing cruiser and the Metz mebo 12 sailing/touring dinghy (soon to have a larger sister the mebo 14). These cruising dinghies enable crew to sleep on board and take coastal rowing/sailing to a new adventure level. Check out these two highly recommended designs and others we have come across in our "Top Dinghy Cruisers" slide show featured in the Dinghy Cruisers tab.

If you are an experienced local coastal rower, contact us for an introductory row aboard Toroa (Albatross). Visitors from overseas who row the St. Ayles skiff are particularly welcome to contact us and join us for an outing. 

* Who We Are provides a useful start as to how we intend to foster and grow traditional coastal rowing and dinghy cruising.... and more specifically the St Ayles fleet in Nelson. 

* The calendar at above right shows any upcoming events, though don't look to hard as we pride ourselves on impromptu events and outings. We always attend the more structured and timetabled events like the Lake Rotoiti classic boat show and Mapua boat regatta, so you could catch up with us there.  

* If you become a regular rower/ crew in the group we will contact you by email or cell phone re. your availability for upcoming outings.