Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

Mirror dinghy - a 50-year history celebrated

by Emma Slater, RYA/Sail-World on 30 Oct 2013
Mirror sailing SW
With over 70,000 Mirror dinghies built and sailed in dozens of countries, including Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States, the Mirror sailing dinghy must be one of the most popular, most affordable boats of all time.

In the 2013 Royal Yachting Association(RYA) Dinghy Show, dinghy historian and journalist David Henshall was interviewed about the famous dinghy's 50 year history.


Talking after his main stage appearance at the 2013 show David explains where it all began for the Mirror dinghy, takes a look back over the past 50 years and how the Mirror has remained one of the most popular dinghies throughout the years.

He explains how the boats have changed over the years from the DIY kits of the early days to the dinghies of today and reveals the story behind the Mirror dinghy and its links to the Mirror Newspaper, as well as a few fun and useful factoids!

This latest video interview is the seventh in a series of nine interviews conducted at the 2013 RYA Dinghy Show focusing on one of the main stage talks or coaching area sessions with the presenters answering questions relating to their talks.

Watch the full video here:

Allen Dynamic 40 FooterRooster 2025Navico AUS Zeus3S FOOTER

Related Articles

OK Dinghy Europeans at Warnemünde day 3
Nick Craig fights back Canada's Ben Flower and Britain's Charlie Cumbley will go into Wednesday's final day at the 2025 OK Dinghy European Championship in Warnemünde, Germany, on equal points with two more races to sail.
Posted on 8 Jul
British Classic Week Day 2
An early start for Classes 1-3 as they prepared to race around the Isle of Wight It was an early start for the British Classic Week fleet on day two, as Classes 1-3 prepared to race around the Isle of Wight.
Posted on 8 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 3
The leaderboard tightens at the halfway mark after today's racing in a building breeze After a frustrating day of waiting ashore on Monday, Day 3 brought back the action in Aarhus Bay with spectacular foiling conditions and a full day of intense racing.
Posted on 8 Jul
Fleet advances to the last half of the AEGEAN 600
In contrast to yesterday's slow pace, the rate of progress has been much improved Most of the fleet of 59 Monohulls and Multihulls who are sailing in this year's AEGEAN 600 have either already entered the second half of the race at the island of Rhodes or are well on their way to reaching this important milestone.
Posted on 8 Jul
Mediterranean Regatta season in full swing
A+T instruments seen all over Europe delivering high-level performance for racing fleets As regatta season gathers speed, A+T instruments were seen all over Europe delivering high-level performance for the racing fleets.
Posted on 8 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 1
Storm cells circling Lake Garda lead to atypical and tricky conditions The 137 sailors representing 25 nations faced the first day of racing in conditions that were anything but typical for Malcesine, with unstable weather creating a complex, yet exciting, opening.
Posted on 8 Jul
NYYC International Women's Championship update
Teammates and Competitors Join Forces The strength of bonds forged in competition is a common theme among the second group of skippers and teams invited to compete in the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship.
Posted on 8 Jul
The Ocean Race Europe Video Preview
We speak to Phil Lawrence, Peter Rusch & Pip Hare to find out more The Ocean Race Europe will take place between 10 August & 21 September, following a debut event in the summer of 2021. The racing is in IMOCA yachts, the same as the Vendée Globe, but this time with 4 crew and an OBR who will document the action on board.
Posted on 8 Jul
Sailing's Glitterati prepare for the Admiral's Cup
The depth and quality of talent is truly breathtaking. The 2025 Admiral's Cup is shaping up to be one of the most compelling editions in the event's storied history, featuring a glittering constellation of the sport's elite.
Posted on 8 Jul
West System Six10 Epoxy cartridges are back!
Pre-thickened, gap filling epoxy back after a disruption to supply for an extended time ATL Composites is very happy to announce that WEST SYSTEM Six10 Epoxy Cartridge Packs are now available again to the Australian and Asian markets.
Posted on 8 Jul