The Dinghy Cruising Association to mark 70th birthday at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

“Mum's the World” is an up-to-date example of the classic Gull dinghy and is sailed solo by Sarah Jarman © DCA

The Dinghy Cruising Association is marking its 70th birthday at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show as membership hits a new record.

A giant birthday cake will be cut at the DCA stand (Stand 280) at 2.30pm on Saturday, February 22 by Roger Barnes, president of the association formed in 1955.

For the second year running, the DCA will exhibit two dinghies owned and sailed by women, underlining its commitment to support and encourage women who are interested in getting started in dinghy cruising.

Membership rose again this year, hitting a new record of 1,547.

DCA President Roger Barnes said: "Dinghy Cruising is a simple and straightforward way to experience the coastal environment, to explore rivers and lakes: to live for a while in a watery wilderness, with the minimum of simple kit. It provides a means of accessing little-visited places, to spend time amongst the wildlife of the littoral and the wetlands."

The DCA stand will give a chance to see a John Welsford-designed Walkabout cruising dinghy. Built by owner Ginny Harvey with her own unique modifications, it is slightly shorter at 4.57m (15-ft) than the original 5m length and has two offset centreboards that give a large clear cockpit space - perfect for Ginny's dogs, and also comfortable for those who like camping on board.

Sarah Jarman's Mk 6 Gull, also on display, is an example of a production boat that's ideal for safe, single-handed day-sailing and is available both used and new to suit all budgets.

Both Ginny and Sarah will be part of the DCA team showing off the boats, answering questions and keen to encourage more people to experience the benefits of dinghy cruising, which include being able to sail whenever the weather serves, exploring new areas away from your club and learning to sail confidently in a range of conditions. The team will be happy to answer technical questions about the skills and adaptations needed for independent sailing, such as reefing, anchoring, navigation and safety.

The Dinghy Cruising Association attracts a wide range of men, women and children who connect over their enjoyment of non-competitive, independent sailing in small boats.

This year DCA regions around the UK and internationally will be holding a series of events to mark its 70th anniversary.

The association was formed in 1955 by a handful of British dinghy sailors who wanted to sail further than was allowed by the fixed racing schedules of the dinghy sailing clubs of the day. Planned as a forum to arrange rallies, exchange ideas and encourage novices to take up the Corinthian sport, the association grew steadily, with regional groups forming nationwide.

Today, the association is an international success, with branches holding rallies in nine countries, including Ireland, the USA, France, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. Members receive a glossy quarterly journal and also keep in touch via a forum/website. On social media, the DCA has 20,000 worldwide followers on Facebook, while the hugely popular YouTube videos made by DCA president Roger Barnes have had more than a million views.

www.dinghycruising.life

Ginny Harvey's modified Welsford Walkabout is decked with Vendia - under construction in December 2024 - photo © DCA