Mirror UK National Championship 2025 at Netley Sailing Club - Preview
by Nick Charles 22 Aug 2025 08:31 BST
28-30 August 2025
Roz and Evie (left) Ben and Keira (right) sailing on Southampton Water © Dougal Henshall
The Mirror Nationals is being held at Netley in just over a weeks' time (28-30th August), sponsored by Hyde Sails, Winder Boats and Clamcleat.
You may think of the Mirrors as a youth class, but in recent years the class has found a new niche of offering a different and / or complementary pathway into sailing, with parents and children now making up the majority of the fleet.
This means that while the people in the back have got older, those in the front are now as young as 4 - sweets and chocolate are an essential part of day! Good wooden boats are still competitive, but many of the fleet now have modern Winder FRP models. The resurgence of the class means that the Winder boats are in such demand, that they sell almost instantly.
We're looking forward to three days of racing with the racecourse ideally located just off the beach. Camping is available at the club, with plenty of socials, so there's going to be a great atmosphere. There are now 50 entries, an impressive total just two weeks after the same number made the annual pilgrimage to Abersoch for Mirror Week.
The front of the fleet is turning into something of a who's-who of dinghy sailing.
From the stellar line up the front runner are likely to include...
Ben and Evie McGrane: Current National and World Champions, Ben and his daughters have dominated the Mirrors for the last 4 years winning almost every event going. With Netley as their home club, they also have local knowledge on their side. Outside of Mirrors Ben has won everything from I14s / Rs800s to XODs, and many things in between.
Matt and Pippa Burge: Matt has won the Fireball Worlds, Euros and Nationals and the Ospreys multiple times and has been a driving force in the growth of the Poole Mirror fleet, where the Worlds will be held in 2027. He and Pippa recently won the hotly contested Poole mirror open, beating Ben and Evie in the process.
James and Meris Date: Previous RS800 National / Euros and Laser Champion, James and Meris have been campaigning the Mirror for a number of years. This year, they have upgraded to a Winder (boldly named Zoomy) and have shown great zooming with wins at both the Southern's and Whitefriars. Guaranteed to be up there at the end of the week.
Ian and Ted Dobson: Another multiple World and National champion in Fireballs, GP14s and more. Consistently quick and some say the best-looking boat in the fleet - they have just won Abersoch Mirror Week with a dominant performance so coming in with form.
Phil and Lucy Smith: Many years of Mirror sailing mean that Phil is always quick, including winning Derwent and Bass already this year. Sure to be right up there.
Will and Isabelle Crocker: Another class stalwart who has been at the front of the class for a few years. Fast and consistent in all conditions.
Matt and Albi McGoven: They were 2nd last year and have recently upgraded to a new ship. Matt's sailing this year has been slightly constrained due to increasing his future crewing options (congrats), but they are sure to be quick and consistent.
Outside of these main contenders, the entry list includes talent such as Angus Armstrong, Tom Odell, David Steed, Toby Winser, Tom Hahead, Andrew & Nicky Walsh and many others.
Most importantly Netley are sure to put on a great events, with loads to keep both the young and old engaged, both on and off the water.