European Sharpie Championship
10 – 15 August 2025
Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club
NOTICE OF RACE
The Championship
The British Sharpie Owners Association (BSOA) in association with Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club is pleased to invite all Sharpie sailors to compete in the European Sharpie Championship to be held at the Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club. We are delighted to invite you back to the North Norfolk coast.
Entries/Fees
The entry fee is £200. This includes meal tickets for the helm and one crew at evening events on the social programme (see below). Under 16s eat free at these events.
Camping is included free of charge.
Entries should be on the attached form and received by 15 July 2025.
Late entries may be charged a surcharge.
Venue
The racing will take place on the tidal waters off Brancaster Staithe.
Provisional Schedule
| Wednesday 6th August | Campsite opens |
| Saturday 9th August | Championship office opens |
| Registration and measurement | |
| Race briefing | |
| Sunday 10th August | Practice race |
| Monday 11th to Friday 15th August | Races 1 to 10 |
| Friday 15th August | Prize giving |
| Monday 18th August | Campsite closes |
(Note that tides are early morning this week, racing should be concluded before lunchtime)
Championship Office
The Championship Office will open on Saturday 9th August and be open throughout the Championship. Exact timings will be notified nearer the date.
Scoring
The Championship shall consist of 10 races.
If 9 or 10 races are sailed 2 discards will be allowed from the series. However, if between 5 and 8 races are sailed only 1 discard shall be allowed.
There must be a minimum of 5 races sailed for the Championship to be awarded.
Scoring will be according to RRS Appendix A (low points system) except rule A5.2 shall be modified so that a boat retiring from a race shall be scored points equivalent to the number of starters for that race plus one.
Prizes
Daily prizes will be awarded. The overall winner of the series shall be awarded the European Sharpie Championship Trophy.
Sailing Instructions
Sailing instructions will be issued on registration at the Championship Office.
Helms must be fully paid up members of their National Sharpie Association and be members of a Club affiliated to their National Sailing Organisation.
All competing boats must provide insurance for third party claims to a minimum of £2,000,000 or the equivalent. This will be checked and any boat without valid third party insurance will not be permitted to race in the Championship.
Measurement
Competitors will be expected to submit their boat and equipment for measurement prior to the commencement of racing, and also at any other time at the discretion of the Race Committee. All boats must produce a valid weighing certificate. Any boat adjudged not to conform to class rules will be excluded from the Championship. The decision of the BSOA measurer to exclude a boat will be final. Protests in respect of measurement will be judged by the BSOA Measurer.
Helmsman & Crew
For a boat to qualify for Championship points the helm and crew of a boat must be those named on the entry form. For this championship boats will be allowed to enter with a helm and two named crew. Any changes from those declared on the entry form must be for bona fide reasons, and agreed by the Race Committee prior to racing. Changes may result in qualification for daily prizes only.
Provisional Social Programme
| Sunday 10th August | Opening ceremony with drinks |
| Monday 11th August | Family BBQ* |
| Tuesday 12th August | International night |
| Wednesday 13th August | British night* |
| Thursday 14th August | Free evening |
| Friday 15th August |
Prize giving, Championship party with food & music* |
(* Note that entry fee includes meals for helm and one crew at these events. Under 16s eat free)
Accommodation and Camping
We are fortunate that we have secured an excellent campsite for our exclusive use very close to the sailing club. Facilities on the campsite will include flushing toilets, hot showers, electricity, on-site freezer and a party tent. We hope to make full use of this campsite and encourage all competitors to join us there. Tents, caravans and campervans are all welcome.
Camping, car parking and boat trailer storage will all be provided free of charge.
A list of hotels, hostels and B&Bs is available on request.
General Disclaimer
The organising committee and persons involved in the organisation of the races are not responsible for the suitability of boats and crews. By signing the entry form participants agree that no person or organisation involved in the carrying out of this Championship will be liable for any accident, injury or fatality, or damage or loss of boat or personal property arising out of a participant’s preparation or participation in any on-the-water or on-shore activities (whether social, recreational, launching, hauling out, boat storage or otherwise) associated with the Championship or on the campsite. Compensation for damages or accidents caused by towing by safety and rescue boats will not be accepted.