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Optimist

Optimist

The Optimist is the premier dinghy for under 16's in the world. Sailed in over 100 countries by over 150,000 young people, the Optimist is, quite simply, the dinghy in which the young people of the world learn to sail.

&copy; Peta Bowden / <a target="_blank" href="http://www.petaphotographics.co">www.petaphotographics.co</a> © Peta Bowden / www.petaphotographics.co
in association with
in association with Selden
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Enter details for at the nationals
PosCrewMastBoomSpi PoleMainJibSpinnakerRudderBoardHull
Show news Young sailors compete in Dragon Series at Gresford
With a coach-supported training fleet there was competition for all levels
Posted on 29 Apr
Northamptonshire Youth Series leg 2 at Middle Nene
Birds of prey take to the water
Posted on 29 Apr
Rotters and Colanders
Initiatives which blow preconceptions about sailing out of the water
Posted on 28 Apr
Rooster and IOCA UK Partnership
Supporting the next generation of sailors as the official class clothing sponsor
Posted on 23 Apr
Beastie Tour makes it to Thorpe Bay
East of England open series for 'transition' age sailors
Posted on 22 Apr
ROTTERS Bring a Buddy at Ripon Sailing Club
Several Buddies invited by existing ROTTERS to see what all the fuss was about
Posted on 21 Apr
Yacht Club de Cannes: a factory for champions!
An enviable number of European and World titles and podiums
Posted on 20 Apr
FM Sailing Northamptonshire Youth Series Preview
A Fresh (and Marsh) new look for youth sailing starts Saturday
Posted on 13 Apr
Auckland teenager makes NZ sailing history
Zofia Wells is the first female sailor to win the overall title at the NZ Optimist Nationals
Posted on 8 Apr
Toyota NZ Optimist Nats - Day 4 - Wells wins
Zofia Wells adds the NZ Open Optimist title to her already impressive record in multiple classes.
Posted on 7 Apr
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals New Plymouth - Day 3
Glendowie's Zofia Wells continues to make the front running after the third day of racing
Posted on 6 Apr
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals New Plymouth - Day 2
Female sailors continue to dominate the top three places on the leaderboard after Day 2
Posted on 5 Apr
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals New Plymouth - Day 1
The 2026 Toyota Optimist Nationals got underway on Saturday from New Plymouth Yacht Club.
Posted on 4 Apr
Hyde Sails - We've got you covered!
As well as sails, Hyde also produce covers, foil bags and accessories for many classes
Posted on 3 Apr
HISC Optimist Easter Race Camp 2026
Thirteen enthusiastic Optimist sailors took to the water each day
Posted on 3 Apr
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals at New Plymouth YC
The five-day regatta is being hosted by the New Plymouth Yacht Club
Posted on 3 Apr
2026 Sail Central Championships preview
Event will take place July 10-12 and will include a one-day development clinic
Posted on 3 Apr
Vaikobi - THE choice of champions and pundits
No puppies were harmed in the creation of this show. Watch the show now to see what we mean...
Posted on 30 Mar
Get set for the 2026 Dragon Series!
Returning to Wales for the 2026 season with a sparkling lineup of 13 events
Posted on 28 Mar
IOCA Optimist Spring Championships
171 Optimists travel to compete from all over the country
Posted on 23 Mar
FUN spelt FOIL - David French takes to the skies
A deeply personal story for David as he talks about why foiling got him back into sailing
Posted on 23 Mar
Easter Race Camp Open to All at Hayling Island
Youth training for Feva, 29er, Optimist, ILCA and Tera classes
Posted on 14 Mar
Brassed Off Cup returns to Howth YC
Good Friday event is the perfect spring shake-off for Optimist sailors
Posted on 9 Mar
Full bore and the real deal - Mark Bradford
Bulwarks and Bulldust – Show One of Season Four is now live - Squark - MD North Sails AUS
Posted on 7 Mar
Optiorange 2026 in Valencia overall
Finland's Sisu Selio and Spain's Mª Antonia Peñalver crowned champions
Posted on 1 Mar
HISC Magic Marine Optimist Open Meeting Preview
Another bumper fleet is expected in May at Hayling Island
Posted on 1 Mar
Optiorange 2026 in Valencia day 2
Qualifying round closed out and the Gold Group is now set
Posted on 27 Feb
Sustainability takes Centre Stage
Sail design competition raises awareness thanks to Christchurch SC team
Posted on 27 Feb
Optiorange 2026 in Valencia Preview
Turkey's Cengiz Eren Güvenç is setting the pace
Posted on 26 Feb
Optiorange 2026 in Valencia Preview
412 sailors from 30 countries have gathered for the event
Posted on 25 Feb
Links
Tuning Guides
Optimist UK Nationals Attendance
see the full nationals attendance table here

Photos

Show photos from

Young sailors compete in Dragon Series at Gresford
© GSC
Beastie Tour makes it to Thorpe Bay
© David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com
ROTTERS Bring a Buddy at Ripon Sailing Club
© J Young
ROTTERS Bring a Buddy at Ripon Sailing Club
© J Young
ROTTERS Bring a Buddy at Ripon Sailing Club
© J Young
ROTTERS Bring a Buddy at Ripon Sailing Club
© J Young
Grafham Water SC awarded RYA Pathway Club status
© Paul Sanwell / OPP
Aerial view of the Club and town beach EYC
© Exmouth Yacht Club
Zofia Wells (GBC) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National Open champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Zofia Wells (GBC) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National Open champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Zofia Wells (GBC) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National Open champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Zofia Wells (GBC) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National Open champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Zofia Wells (GBC) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National Open champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Zofia Wells (GBC) (nearest the camera) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National Open champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Zofia Wells (GBC) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National Open champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 4 - April 7, 2026
© Ian Pye
Zofia Wells (GBC) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National Open champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 4 - April 7, 2026
© NPYC
Zofia Wells (GBC) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National Open champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 4 - April 7, 2026
© Ian Pye
Zofia Wells (GBC) - 2026 Toyota NZ Optimist National champion - New Plymouth YC - Day 4 - April 7, 2026
© Ian Pye
Surfing home - Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 4 - April 7, 2026
© Ian Pye
The fleet return to shore - Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 3 - April 6, 2026
© Ian Pye
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 2 - April 5, 2026
© Billy Preston
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 1 - April 4, 2026
© Billy Preston
Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals - New Plymouth YC - Day 1 - April 4, 2026
© Billy Preston
HISC Optimist Easter Race Camp 2026
© Melvyn Cooper