Scorpion Class Prepares for RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

Stand B10 at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show on 21–22 February 2026 will display two active Scorpion dinghies, staffed by class representatives ready to demonstrate equipment and discuss competitive programmes for youth and female sailors.

What visitors will find at the Scorpion stand

The National Scorpion Class Association will showcase two boats: hull 1883, a Scorpion Foundation boat currently sailed by youth sailors Sammy Mason and Hatty Connolly, and hull 2057, the Winder-built National Championship-winning boat crewed by Tom Gillard and Rach Gray. Both boats will be rigged and available for close inspection at the stand.

On-stand activities and incentives

Attendees can expect interactive elements including a "wheel of winners" offering branded prizes and a grand draw for a P+B jib. Class youth representatives will answer queries, and there will be details on how young sailors can access the Scorpion Foundation programme and reduced entry fees for the 2026 Nationals in Looe.

Entry fee support for youth competitors

To promote junior participation, the class association has published a tiered fee schedule for the 2026 National Championships (2–7 August, Looe). The structure targets affordability for crews where one or both sailors are underage:

Scorpion Foundation — bridging access to competition

The Scorpion Foundation maintains a pool of five boats earmarked for youth and junior sailors who might otherwise be unable to purchase or maintain their own dinghy. These boats are allocated for use at Open Meetings and the Nationals in Looe, creating a practical entry path into class racing and accelerating sailors’ skills through real regatta experience.

• Purpose: reduce financial barrier to fleet entry
• Availability: five foundation boats for 2026 Nationals
• Support: reduced entry fees and on-stand guidance

Women and youth at the helm: new event

The class will host its first combined women’s and youth event in 2026, focused on coaching, training, and race practice to build confidence in helming roles. The programme is designed to increase representation at the tiller and support a pathway from instruction to competitive racing. Further logistical details and schedules will be released by the class association prior to the event.

Why the Scorpion focus matters for sailors and charter operators

From a logistics and fleet-management perspective, initiatives like the Foundation and fee concessions influence boat availability across a season. When class fleets actively develop youth and female sailors, they help sustain local club racing calendars and increase demand for dinghy berths, shore storage, coaching slots, and support services—factors that matter to marinas, charter operators, and businesses offering sailing activities.

Implications for boat rental and coastal tourism

Encouraging new sailors feeds the wider recreational market: more trained skippers and crew raise interest in day-charters, club-based hire schemes, and family-oriented boating services. For coastal destinations, that translates into extended activity seasons, higher marina throughput, and increased demand for charter skippers and instruction-led excursions.

Historical and class context

The Scorpion dinghy has a long-standing presence in UK dinghy racing, known for a two-person crew dynamic that rewards teamwork and balanced boat-handling. Traditionally popular at club level, the class has produced tightly contested national events and regional circuits. The current push toward youth and female helming reflects wider trends across small-boat sailing: inclusivity, skill development, and sustainable fleet succession.

• Design: two-person asymmetric dinghy
• Builders: Winder and other specialist yards
• Typical activities: club racing, regional regattas, national championships

How to engage if you’re a youth sailor or coach

Youth sailors interested in the 2026 Nationals should visit Stand B10 or contact the National Scorpion Class Association via [email protected] for details on Foundation boat allocation and entry discounts. On-stand youth reps can advise on rig setup, coaching opportunities, and pathways into class racing.

Stand checklist for visiting sailors

• Inspect hulls 1883 and 2057; discuss setup with current crews
• Enter the wheel-of-winners and learn about the P+B jib draw
• Request Foundation boat application information
• Sign up for notifications about the women’s and youth event

GetBoat always keeps an eye on news related to sailing and seaside vacations, as we truly understand what it means to enjoy great leisure and love the ocean. The service values freedom, energy, and the ability to choose your own course: there are no limits to a good life, and clients can find a vessel that suits their preferences, budget, and taste.

The Scorpion class’s youth and women’s initiatives are important for regional sailing ecosystems, even if they have limited global impact; they are nonetheless highly relevant to coastal communities and to sailors planning local seasons. To stay informed and make practical plans, consider how changes in class participation affect availability of coaching, charter options, and marina services. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language and also the unique aspects of the service. GetBoat.com

Forecast: the Scorpion announcement is a niche but constructive development in dinghy racing; on the global tourism map it is unlikely to shift large flows of international travel, but regionally it can boost sailing participation, local regatta tourism, and demand for charter and coaching services. However, it remains relevant to customers and enthusiasts—GetBoat aims to stay abreast of such developments and keep pace with the changing world. If you are planning your next trip to the seaside, consider the convenience and reliability of GetBoat.

In summary, the National Scorpion Class Association’s presence at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show will spotlight practical pathways for youth and female sailors into competitive Scorpion racing via the Foundation and fee incentives, debut a women’s-and-youth coaching event, and present two active boats for inspection. These measures support fleet sustainability and have downstream effects for marinas, coaches, and rental operators. GetBoat.com supports these themes by offering a global, user-friendly solution for unforgettable touristic experiences—booking or buying yachts, sailboats, and boats with clear listing details, ratings, and transparent options that make planning easier and more reliable. Enjoy the voyage.