Join the British Contender Association!
The Contender has survived and thrived for the last 50+ years because it has benefited from an enthusiastic and dedicated class association.
The BCA and its international counterpart, the International Contender Association, are entirely voluntarily run members' organisations, and the only resources we have to look after the class and its interests comes from the annual membership subscriptions.
Without the support of all UK Contender sailors, the BCA will not be able to support, develop, or promote the class in the manner it deserves.
So if you own or sail a Contender, join us and help us represent YOU!
The British Contender Association
The British Contender Association is the official UK class association of the International Contender Class.
The International Contender is the World's most popular single-handed trapeze sailing dinghy.
It was originally designed back in 1967 by Australian Ben Lexcen as a potential successor to the Olympic Finn Class. The boat won the 1968 Olympic selection trials, but for a variety of reasons was never adopted as an Olympic class. This was probably something of a blessing, as the class has thrived ever since. The longevity of the class is a testament to the original design: simple, practical, with classic good looks.
The Contender Class is truly International, holding ISAF International status. As well as a strong UK fleet, there are fleets in Australasia, North America, and right across Europe. The World Championships routinely attracts turnouts of over 140 boats.
This site contains details of what's going in the Contender Class in the UK; How, Who, What, Why and where.
If you've found your way here, you probably have an idea of what you're looking for - and if you can't find on the site in the FAQs etc, please feel free to contact us, and we'll try to help, or just contact us anyway we're here to serve the Contender sailing community of the UK.
If you only find yourself here by accident, well, welcome again, and please feel free to browse the site to find out a bit more about the International Contender - you never know, you might get hooked!
Latest News & Announcements
Castle Cove Open Results
Nationals Entry is now open
This years Nationals will be held at the Mount Batten Centre in Plymouth. It is a 4 day event from September the 3rd to the 6th, which is Friday to Monday.
The entry is £125 as standard, or £65 for anyone under 25 or if its your first Contender Nationals. All entrants must be a member of the BCA or another national Contender association. The entry fee includes all race management, safety cover, and prizes as expected, as well as a welcome social with food provided and a 3 course championship dinner for each competitor.
The event venue has it own accommodation and space for campervans that can be booked on 01752 404567, the surrounding area of Plymouth has lots of accommodation that can be found at
https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/accommodation.
The NOR will be published in the near future with the details of racing but in the mean time you can enter here;
https://www.mount-batten-centre.com/contender-nationals-2021/
Entry remains open until August the 1st at which point a late entry fee will be required. Please enter as soon as you can to give the centre some idea of numbers.
Due to the the testing year(s) we have had, this event provides a positive opportunity to get us back to a Contender strength, competitive fleet racing on the sea. I hope that all of the hardened Contender regulars are eager to return but also those many sailors that have recently bought into the class, if you are looking to improve your skills against some of the best around at a superb venue, this is the event for you. Without a National Championship last year and with no overseas travel this one should be well attended. What possible reason is there not to attend?
I will see you there!
Ed
Provisional 2021 British Contender association fixtures.
Cancelled TT2 April 10/11th Oxford SC being re-arranged
Cancelled TT3 May 1/2nd Hayling Island SC, Southern area championships
Cancelled TT4 May 15/16th Thorpe Bay YC, Eastern Area championships
TT1 May 16th Datchet Water SC, one day Sunday open
TT5 May 29/30th Castle Cove SC, Western area Championships
TT6 June 12/13th Weston SC
July 2-3th Warnemunde, Pre worlds
July 4-10th Warnemunde, World championships
TT7 July 24/25th Hythe and Saltwood SC
TT8 August 14/15th Yorkshire dales SC, Northern area championships
September 3-6th Mount batten centre, Plymouth, National Championships
TT9 September 18/19th Broadstairs SC & Toms Birthday🎂
TT10 October 2/3 Felpham SC
TT11 October 16/17th Rutland water SC, Inland championships
Quiberon Worlds 2019 video
Click here for the French associations video of the Quiberon Worlds 2019
Interested in a trial sail?
OK, so you've read about the class, seen awesome pictures and videos and want to try one before you buy?
Well, we're a friendly bunch and if you've got one at your local club just ask for a go one day.
If you're unlucky enough not to have any Contenders at your local club, don't worry, just give the Chairman a call or email him by clicking here, he's nearly always got a boat you can borrow for a test sail down at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club. You can also have a go in Stranraer, Scotland by emailing here.
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