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Firefly

Firefly

The Firefly is a tactical two-person non spinnaker hiking dinghy, where close racing and teamwork matter most. Celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026, it's the UK's leading team racing boat and a favourite across generations. With a welcoming fleet, huge social scene, and a thriving national circuit, the Firefly offers great racing and great camaraderie at every level.

© John Hurst © John Hurst
in association with
in association with SeldenShow UK nationals gear guide from

Enter details for at the nationals
PosCrewMastBoomSpi PoleMainJibSpinnakerRudderBoardHull
Show news What the Firefly means to me - Steve Tylecote
Racing through many eras of the class with truly generational sailing
Posted on 4 Sep Return of the Doublehanders
It doesn't feel that long ago when they seemed to be going out of fashion...
Posted on 1 Sep 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby
A week of smiles, fun, sunshine, sand and laughter
Posted on 15 Aug 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 5
Good things come to those who wait
Posted on 13 Aug 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 3
A swell time in Tenby
Posted on 11 Aug 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 2
Will Pank saves the day... in more ways than one
Posted on 10 Aug 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 1
The next generation lead the way
Posted on 9 Aug Back where it belongs
The bicentenary has reinvigorated Cowes Week
Posted on 8 Aug The Firefly Runners and Riders
Heroes, Villains and 116 boats of Origin Story
Posted on 6 Aug Gill joins Firefly's landmark 80th Championship
Named as the official apparel partner for the anniversary event
Posted on 4 Aug 72nd Senior Schools Championship
70 Fireflys at Itchenor conclude event with the traditional 'race home'
Posted on 13 Jul Think Destination, Do it Different
Some unique events in sailing are thriving
Posted on 7 Jul What the Firefly means to me - Neil Banks
Another class legend gives their reflections on the fleet
Posted on 6 Jul RYA Eric Twiname Youth & Junior Team Racing
Applications Open for the Championships at Oxford Sailing Club in October
Posted on 2 Jul Firefly Itchenor Burgee 2026
Eighty years on the same lawn
Posted on 30 Jun Tideway Dinghy Derby Video
It's been a long, long time since this race was last held!
Posted on 25 Jun Firefly class at the Tideway Dinghy Derby
For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror, which we can still barely endure
Posted on 23 Jun History-making Tideway Dinghy Derby
On Saturday in London, 80 dinghies raced ten miles up and down the River Thames
Posted on 22 Jun Norfolk Broads Firefly Open
A weekend of orienteering, deeply shifty conditions, and turbo Pimm's
Posted on 19 Jun What the Firefly means to me - Tiggy and Greg
The Ansells may be the reason there is still a Firefly fleet left
Posted on 10 Jun Interclass Team Racing at Waldringfield
Thrills and spills, including a few capsizes and missed toestraps
Posted on 8 Jun Firefly South Western Championship at Restronguet
36 boats drawn to Carrick Roads for three days with every mode of sailing
Posted on 28 May Tideway Dinghy Derby preview
Spectacle returns to the Thames, supporting life-changing programme for young people
Posted on 21 May Rickmansworth Firefly Open
Fourth event in the 2026 Craftinsure Vines Series
Posted on 20 May What the Firefly means to me - Guy Davision
Sitting down with some class legends to hear their reflections on the fleet
Posted on 6 May Firefly Craftinsure Vines Series at Tamesis
Another superb entry for the Elizabeth Cup and Junior Cup on Saturday
Posted on 27 Apr Fireflys at South Staffs
28 Fireflys for Craftinsure Vines Series Round 2
Posted on 20 Apr Tideway 80th Firefly Nationals Entry Limit Raised
Increased to 120 as demand smashes previous limit
Posted on 15 Apr Firefly Nationals smashes last year's entry limit
Youth Leading the Charge for the 80th Anniversary event at Tenby
Posted on 10 Apr NSSA Double Handed Team Racing Championships
Derbyshire Blue deliver determined win at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club
Posted on 30 Mar
Links
Firefly UK Nationals Attendance
see the full nationals attendance table here

Photos

Show photos from

Steve Tylecote and Tasha Armstrong on day 2 of the Firefly Nationals 2026
© Mark Jardine Firefly Youth finish as runners-up in the Wilson Trophy
© Dan Booth Early Rutland team at the Wilson (and a budding marriage with Ella and Ted) Toby Lewis, Ella, Sten, Ted, Fiona, Steve… and future finalists in the support team
© Tiggy IYRU Team Racing Worlds 1995 - The storm comes through and we carry on
© Tiggy Grasshopper and the pathway
© NFA Meeting class friends, 40 years on from first Fireflying together
© Fiona Tylecoate Steve and Fiona in Saphic ode - a very old glass class celebrity boat
© NFA Steve and Jamie in Grasshopper in the Inlands at Rutland
© Giles Smith Transom mains and spoon rudders - punished if you capsized
© Tiggy Steve and Sally Wilson in Grasshopper
© Elaine Marsh / www.fotoboat.com Team Racing Worlds '95 Steve and Mel
© Tiggy At The George in Ireland, Sailing as ‘Family Firefly' first time sailing with both the boys, and crews all from the Armstrong family
© Fiona Tylecoate Weymouth Nationals up and coming group! Half of them sailing in this year's nationals and most of them have already been GBR representatives
© Fiona Tylecoate The Old Guard, circa last century - down at Restronguet the class South Western 'Mecca'
© NFA Plenty of younger sailors during the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby
© Mark Jardine The massive fleet launches from the beach on Day 1 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby
© Mark Jardine Some of the National Firefly Association Committee during the prize giving
© Mark Jardine Guy Davison and Sally Wakefield on Day 5 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby
© Mark Jardine 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 3
© Mark Jardine The RIB team gather during the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby
© Mark Jardine Steve Tylecote and Tasha Armstrong - second in the Firefly Nationals - with TSC Commodore Marc Shepherd
© Mark Jardine Terry and Annabelle Hacker - third in the Firefly Nationals - with TSC Commodore Marc Shepherd
© Mark Jardine Prize Winners in the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby
© Mark Jardine Rhona Enkel and Ben Whaley, 80th Anniversary Firefly National Champions, with TSC Commodore Marc Shepherd
© Mark Jardine The superbly attended 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals prize giving at Tenby Sailing Club
© Mark Jardine Rhona Enkel and Ben Whaley, 80th Anniversary Firefly National Champions
© Mark Jardine Wind readings on Day 6 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby
© Nigel Denchfield Jamie and Silvie McEwen win the first race on Day 5 of the 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby
© Mark Jardine 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 5
© Mark Jardine 80th Anniversary Firefly Nationals at Tenby Day 5
© Mark Jardine
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