Check out the UK Europe class at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
by UK Europe Class Association 22 Feb 2024 09:08 GMT
24-25 February 2024
2021 UK Europe National Championships at the WPNSA © Linus Etchingham
The UK Europe Class Association is excited to be exhibiting at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports show this weekend - showing off a stunning new boat from Synergy Marine and launching their action-packed 2024 racing calendar.
The Europe class has seen an incredible rebirth and resurgence in the UK in recent years, largely driven by the enthusiastic community of past, present and future Europe sailors which surrounds the class. The class is in a unique position of providing cheap, entry level access through an active second hand market (many older boats now meticulously refurbished and still as competitive as they were when they disappeared into a garage, boat park or hedge in the post-Olympic era of the mid 2000s). Equally, the UK fleet benefits from the expertise of some of the marine industry's top equipment suppliers, with new boats now being built in the UK by Suffolk-based Synergy Marine whilst Rooster imports Winner boats from Spain.
The class association has worked to secure top quality venues, hosting events with perfect sailing conditions, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere onshore. Following two years at WPNSA, the 2023 UK Europe National Championship at Plymouth was a resounding success. This year the event heads to Hayling Island SC, an exciting event as the club builds up towards hosting the 2025 Masters and Youth European Championship! These major championship events are supported by a comprehensive UK racing calendar with a variety of inland and coastal venues around the country. New venues for 2024 include Pevensey Bay SC in April, as well as the opportunity to spend the early May bank holiday in Cornwall racing in Rock!
As well as an action packed UK racing calendar, the class also offers an exciting international scene, with big fleets across Europe and many events within a few hours of major ferry routes, providing everything from small, inland venues in the UK to the challenge of big fleet international events abroad.
The class is entirely underpinned by how fun the Europe is to sail: comfortable to hike upwind, a pleasure to sail downwind, and a blast on a reach. The technical rig and dynamic controls allow all sailors to enjoy the boat across the full wind range and the class has embraced the hugely wide range of sailors, with great gender diversity, a weight range from 50-80+ kg, and ages ranging from youth sailors to 70+ years old. It is this diversity which sets the Europe apart from so many classes - every sailor happy to share their experience and welcome new sailors to join the fun... "only a Europe sailor knows the feeling!".
If you are looking to get involved, or just want to see what all the buzz is about, head to stand I32 to take a look at one of the newest boats in the UK fleet, you won't miss it! Committee members and sailor representatives will be on hand throughout the weekend, excited to share their passion for *arguably* the most exciting single handed class in the UK!
24th March - Chichester Yacht Club
21st April - Pevensey Bay Sailing Club
4th/5th May - Rock Sailing & Waterski Club
11th/12th May - Grafham Water Sailing Club
31st May - 2nd June - Hayling Island Sailing Club*
22nd/23rd June - Overy Staithe Sailing Club
7th/8th September - Rutland SC
28th/29th September - Stokes Bay Sailing Club
19th/20th October - Staunton Harold Sailing Club
* UK Europe National Championship
www.europeclass.org.uk