Vaikobi 18ft Skiff Racing - A personal partnership with Australia's 18s

by Frank Quealey 3 Mar 06:52 GMT 6-15 March 2026

Vaikobi should have a good season in -25 © SailMedia

When the 27-boat fleet lines up for Race 1 of the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship, presented by The Winning Group, on March 7, one of the leading teams in the regatta will be Vaikobi, skippered by Kirk Mitchel, with Andrew Stephenson on the sheet and Daniel Barnett in the bow, but a smaller Vaikobi logo will also appear on a number of other competing teams throughout the fleet.

Sponsorship has played a critical role in the evolution of the Australian 18ft skiff class since the mid-1960s with many companies, large and small, and many individuals for a wide variety of reasons, prepared to form a partnership with the Australian 18 Footers League and competitors at all levels.

Vaikobi's crew at the JJs - photo © Suellen Hurling @ Live Sail Die

The situation continues to this day with long-term corporate and personal sponsorships in the current 2025-26 season fleet.

Vaikobi's partnership with the iconic Australian 18s has a foot in both camps. The water sports apparel Vaikobi organisation has a wide ranging involvement as both an individual boat sponsor as well as provider of its various products to numerous competitors in the fleet, but it also has a generous, enthusiastic individual named Pat Langley (CEO), who has earned the respect of many people in the sport.

tech2 on the first spinnaker run - 2021 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship - photo © Frank Quealey

Pat first became involved with the 18s in 2019 when he co-sponsored Shaw and Partners Financial Services with his friend Earl Evans (Shaw and Partners) for James Dorron, Harry Bethwaite and Tim Westwood who were runner-up in the 2019-20 Australian Championship and 4th in the 2020 Giltinan world Championship during the 2019-20 season.

Vaikobi reversed the Australian Championship result the following year when it co-sponsored Jack Macartney's Tech2 which won the 2020-21 Australian Championship.

Since then Pat and Vaikobi have formed an incredible relationship with many teams in the fleet as well as the Australian 18 Footers League governing body.

Race 2 in the Spring series was costly for Vaikobi - 2025 SIXT Spring Championship - photo © SailMedia

The high point came in the 2023-24 season when Pat took Vaikobi's numerous co-sponsorship arrangements to the next level with a full boat sponsorship for Kirk Mitchell and his crew - the same three crewmembers who will compete on Vaikobi in the 2026 Giltinan World championship next weekend.

Kirk, speaking on behalf of the team, "We lucked out getting Pat Langley and Vaikobi as our sponsor. Pat has been our sponsor now for three seasons and is always enthusiastic and supportive of our team in whatever we are doing to be at the top end of the fleet. We are so happy having a sponsor like that.

Another big supporter of Pat and Vaikobi is the five-times Giltinan World 18ft skiff champion Trent Barnabas, "I have nothing but praise for Pat, who is a personal friend."

"I was preparing a new 16ft skiff when Pat first contacted me about an arrangement with the use of his gear. It's been ongoing and we work together to trial (test) new sailing gear."

Although he never sailed in the 18s, Pat enjoyed going to watch them race on Sydney Harbour and this led him to form the relationship with the class and its competitors.

Pat Langley doing a SailMedia commentary with James Bury and Peter Shipway - photo © SailMedia

His most recent involvement has been some guest commentary roles with the highly professional SailMedia live stream video coverage team. It is there where we all get a look into the passion, enthusiasm and enjoyment Pat has for the racing, and meeting people.

According to SailMedia's Producer-Director Michael Chittenden, "Pat is a great friend to the SailMedia team. He's our go to commentator when needed because of his strong relationship with a lot of the crews, through sponsorship of his Vaikobi skiff and as a supplier to half the fleet."

"He has a deep understanding and a passion for the personalities, teams and the 18ft class and sailing in general. He is a perfect commentator when we find ourselves in need of a backup."

"He also supplies the SailMedia team with our gear for a more professional on screen appearance."

Emma Rankin - photo © Frank Quealey

Pat Langley is the CEO and Founder of Vaikobi, which was established in Sydney in 2012, and provides technical apparel and accessories for ocean sports, such as life jackets, thermal wear, sun-protective gear (UPF50+), wetsuits, and sailing apparel. Designed for paddlers, foilers, sailors, and board riders, focusing on performance and comfort.

One of 18ft skiff racing's most promising young skippers, Emma Rankin sums up Pat Langley's support throughout the class, "I met Pat in my first year of racing for Shaw and Partners, as both Earl Evans and Pat had a long standing working relationship, managing the Shaw and Partners brand across a number of sponsorships across surf, paddle and sailing disciplines."

"He had a huge role managing and providing the clothing apparel for our 18 campaign and over the first season his passion and enthusiasm for the sport became clear. He's regularly down at the club and takes the time to talk to each of the different teams he supports. We're very lucky to have him involved in the class."

"His support through Vaikobi has continued onto our new campaign with Club Marine, and I'm very thankful for Vaikobi's support."

There is no spectator ferry following Friday's Invitation Race but you can still catch the SailMedia live stream video coverage on SailMedia will also cover every race during the 2026 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship, presented by The Winning Group.