2022 AGM Maraetai Beach Boat Club

Located on the edge on the very edge of the Waiheke Channel, situated as an envious gateway to the Hauraki Gulf, the Maraetai Beach Boat Club is a true family oriented entity whose roots started in the once Batch (or Crib for the southerners’) rich beach zones of Auckland’s eastern reaches way back in the 1940s with the current club rooms officially opening in 1973.

As is suggested in the Clubs’ name (meeting place by the sea) - the club’s soul is etched in the sand from the hulls of boats of all variant. The older wooden hulled launches and yachts that once anchored off the local beaches have slowly made way for the many and varied trailer boats, Jet Ski’s, and other fishing craft that use our facilities - as well as sharing the seaside space with our very successful and rapidly growing dingy sailing buddies.

Our current Club Patron, Mr Logan Kemp, has a history in the club extending over 40 years, whilst our current MBBC Commodore has dedicated a solid 22 plus years to developing the club to what it is today. The Maraetai Sailing Club is headed by Patron Dennis Payne, and Commodore Murray Peddie.

The Maraetai Beach Boat Club (MBBC) is one of the newest affiliated members of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) and is currently one of two clubs without voting rights - yet. Membership to NZSFC is still voluntary as MBBC is primarily a boating club.

The development of a game fish gantry has seen interest in game fishing and sport fishing in general steadily increase with no less than 3 good beak nose fish caught in the first year. Not too bad considering the lack of sport fish on our door step!

The MBBC is primarily a Boating Club with membership steady at 1200 - 1400 including 350450 community members ably lead by veteran club member and current Commodore Murray Kimpton. There are regular social gatherings in either of the two bars, as well as a great atmosphere in the clubs well respected restaurant where diners can admire the stunning views over the Waiheke Channel.

Serious effort goes into enjoying the water and club gatherings range from overnight trips to the bottom end of Waiheke Island where we can raft up, swim and explore the local islands, the annual Sailing Club Camp and Picnic on the nearby Motuihe Island, a mussel fritter cook-off on Pakatoa Island, or attending the annual “Kids Off Couches” Fishing Contest.

One of the most popular events is our very popular annual “Kids off Couches” Waitangi Day fishing contest. A regular sell out that attracts a keen 120+ kids with a lot of support crew mums and dads, nanas and poppas all eager to ensure the kids have a great day.

This contest is kept short and local, and every kid gets something to take home. Local Legends Elizabeth and Mike from G.A.S. Maraetai and TopCatch Maraetai actively sponsor this contest and ensure smiles last a long time afterwards.

Of significant note with this contest has been the promotion of the “LegaSea Fish Care” program. The participating kids are all provided with Fish Care brochures encouraging and educating our kids on best fish handling practices and even returning them safely to the sea should they be too small or not required for dinner.

Family and kids have all presented really well on a couple of Fish Care videos put together by avid LegaSea supporter Scott Cushman. The videos can be found on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBtkgnOPBNE

After the trials of 2021 and if Covid allows us we will be happy to host the 2022 AGM.

MBBC Delegate - Zone 2