Inaugural Zenith National Championship at Warsash Sailing Club - Preview

Two Zenith dinghies © Dee Hutchins

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. As the newly appointed Chairman of the Zenith Class Association, I hadn't even finished my first coffee at the RYA Dinghy Show when the Hartleys enthusiastically suggested I should go ahead and book the 2025 Zenith National Championship — for October.

At that point, not a single Zenith boat had been delivered to a customer. The prototype had just launched, and there was no guarantee of numbers. It was, by all accounts, a bold move. And the suggested venue? Warsash Sailing Club — a fantastic location, but again, the scale of ambition was clear.

Fast forward a few months, and demand for the Zenith had exceeded all expectations. I was later informed that, due to this overwhelming interest, Hartley Boats would pause production for six weeks to create an additional mould, doubling the build rate from one boat a week to two.

The question naturally arose: "Should we cancel the Nationals?"

The answer was instant and unanimous: Absolutely not.

"We will have a Zenith Nationals, and it will be a great event with all of the competitors having a fantastic time," said the Hartleys.

Now, here we are: 30 boats supplied with over 40 more to build and 15 Zeniths will be on the start line for the first ever Nationals, and the entry list includes several national and even world champions. The enthusiasm and spirit of this new fleet is truly infectious.

Event Overview:

• Friday 17th October - Arrival, rigging, a welcome drink, and informal Zenith tuning tips from sailors.

• Saturday 18th October - Three back-to-back races, followed by a club dinner and full evening entertainment.

• Sunday 19th October - Another three races, with a prize-giving ceremony featuring our first ever Zenith Nationals trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, along with spot prizes for standout achievements.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Nationals mark just the beginning. In 2026, the Zenith Class will feature a full calendar of open meetings across the country, along with Inland and National Championships.

The Class Rules were published this week and are available at zenithsailing.com/rules

For full event details and ongoing updates, visit warsashsc.org.uk/zenith

As Chairman, I'm incredibly proud to be part of such an energetic and welcoming community. The Zenith Class is shaping up to be everything we hoped for—competitive, friendly, and full of promise.

Here's to fair winds, close racing, and a fantastic future for the Zenith.

See you on the water.