Optimist versus Tera

Just saw an article on a Tera event at Derwent with 103 boats competing. Is the Tera taking over from the Optimist in the UK and do parents now need to buy two boats to let their kids compete in a series if they are good enough to go to a world championship?

Whilst the Tera is a relatively modern looking dinghy it does not appear to be cheap at over £2000 and I am not even sure you get a trolley for that money. Why are all these parents choosing to go down this route with the likely outcome that we will have a reduced youth class at the under 15 category. 

Having recently returned from the Oppie Nationals at Weymouth, I think the Teras still have a way to go before they start threatening the Oppies.  103 Tera's is a great turnout which many classes would be delighted with, but the Oppies still managed 470 boats with 19 countries represented.

I went to a talk by the designer a couple of years ago, and he said he felt the niche for the Tera was on account of the boxy, flat fronted look of the Oppi.  Kids wanted a pointy bow and that's what he gave them.  From the evidence, it seems he was right.

Originally posted by JimC Because they don't want to be labelled as Oppie parents?

Surely Tera Parents is a worse nickname. I am Terafied already pardon the pun.

We have had a sudden outburst of oppies this year ar Hunts.  Four out racing in the handicap fleet on Sunday, 10 + doing Boat Camp last week.  I see no sign of an imminent Tera takeover.