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
Hi All, The fixtures below are very likely. Highcliffe could be moved by one weekend and we're hopefully going to secure Castle Cove for September. All others are confirmed.
2024 Provisional fixtures
24/25 Feb -RYA dinghy Show – Farnborough
23/24 March – TT1 Burton SC
6/7 Apr – TT2 Oxford SC
27/28 Apr – TT3 Highcliffe SC (TBC)
11/12 May – TT4 Hayling Island SC
25/26 May – TT5 Yorkshire Dales SC, Northern Championships
1 June – Contender training event – Oxford sailing club
13-16 June – Paignton SC – UK National Championship
6/7 July – TT6 Hythe and Saltwood SC – Eastern Area Championships
20/21 July – TT7 Shoreham Sailing club
3/4 August – TT8 Weston Sailing club
23-25 August – Lake Como – Pre Europeans and Italian nationals
28 -31 August – Lake Silvaplana -European Championships
21/22 September -TT9 (TBC)
12/13 October – TT10 Rutland SC – Inland Championships
BCA Membership
Membership renewal this year is £20.
Follow this link for details, complete the form and send your payment.
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 Chris 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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British Contender Association
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