Overy Staithe 12m² Sharpie Open Preview
by Jennie Clark 7 May 03:35 PDT
16-17 May 2026
Sharpie sailing at Overy Staithe Sailing Club © Jennie Clark
Overy Staithe SC will host their Sharpie open meeting on 16 and 17 May 2026. With the European Championship having been held in the UK in 2025 a lot of boats came out of sheds, garages and other hiding places to take part and it's hoped that this interest will continue through 2026.
The 12m² Sharpie was designed in 1931 by the Kröger Brothers in Warnemünde, Germany. The peak of the class was in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. The original design has been preserved, and the class is sailed competitively in the UK, The Netherlands, Germany and Portugal. North West Norfolk has a good number of Sharpies racing regularly with fleets at Overy Staithe, Brancaster Staithe and Wells Sailing Clubs. The term 'Twelve Square Metre' evolves from the original sail area, though on modern sharpies sail designs reach up to around sixteen square metres.
Racing will take place on the evening tide on 16 May, with the 5 minute gun due at 18.00, and on the morning tide on 17 May, with the 5 minute gun due at 07.00 - don't be put off by the early start, it means you will be back in time for breakfast!