Europe class at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2025
by Ben Harris / UK Europe Class Association 21 Feb 13:30 GMT
15-16 February 2025, Stand 150
Luke Lazell sailing 1990's Gerry Ledger built 'Skelf' - Europe UK Nationals at Hayling Island © Robert Deaves /
www.robertdeaves.uk
This weekend, the UK Europe Class Association will exhibit at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, a fantastic chance to catch up with friends and discover new classes and equipment. With a rich history and a growing UK fleet, the Europe class continues to capture the attention of sailors looking for a rewarding, tactical single-handed dinghy.
For this year's show, the class will exhibit Luke Lazell's stunning wooden Europe, 'Skelf', built in the 1980s by Gerry Ledger - a skilled boatbuilder based on the River Crouch in Essex. Having seen very little use until Luke took ownership, 'Skelf' has since been raced competitively at every UK Europe National Championship since 2021, competing on a level playing field with modern boats and even taking the win in the slow handicap fleet at last year's Poole Week! Now based in Dorset, 'Skelf' enjoys the rolling waves and chalk cliffs of Swanage bay, a pretty different backdrop to the River Crouch, where Luke also grew up racing at Up River YC.
This year, Allen Sailing will be also showcasing the Synergy Marine Europe sailed by Tom "Mozzy" Morris, winner of the 2024 National Championships. This latest-generation Europe represents the pinnacle of British boat building and marine hardware, built in Suffolk and fitted with Allen's Essex-produced hardware. If you're looking to get a feel for what Europe sailing has to offer, Mozzy's YouTube content provides a great insight into the boat from one of the best!
Having exhibited brand-new boats in recent years, the UK Europe Class Association is proud to this year be celebrating the diversity of the Europe fleet in the UK, where Luke's 45 year old wooden boat can race equally against Mozzy's brand new boat, and which sees a great range of sailor ages, sizes and weights, as well as a healthy gender balance!
An enthusiastic group of Europe sailors will be on hand throughout the show to discuss all things Europe sailing! Whether you're a past, present or future Europe sailor, there's never been a better time to get involved, with a diverse racing calendar planned for 2025 which kicks off at WPNSA in April, and includes the 2025 Youth & Masters European Championship (and Young Adult Cup) at Hayling Island SC in July!
Visit the UK Europe Class Association on Stand 150, exhibiting alongside the OK Dinghy British Class Association, at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show this weekend to discover the most versatile single handed dinghy in the world - the Europe!