Sharks: “Well Sailed Since 1959”
Sept 26, 2024
Shark 24 Celebrates 65 years and is thriving with large fleets across Canada and Europe!
This season over 120 Sharks have competed in the 10 regatta circuit across Ontario and Quebec. They are competing for the overall Championship “The Sid Dakin Shark of the Year Trophy”.
It has been a very full sailing season with regattas averaging over 20 Sharks. The final regatta, “The Homecomers Regatta”, will be hosted by Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club on Sept 28-29th, and will exceed 30 boats. The Shark of the Year Championship will come down to this final regatta as three crews are battling for the overall championship.
Unfortunately the World Shark Championship with 84 boats registered was zero-winded and the requisite four races could not be sailed.
The class has seen many new owners take stewardship of these old boats in the past 5 years. A lot of time and energy has been spent making them look like new Sharks again! It is incredible to see how much pride of ownership there is in the class. The fourth and seventh Sharks ever made are still being sailed, and production of Sharks is still growing annually with a total of 2025 Sharks made to date!
There is a changing of ownership as young sailors are switching from other classes to the Shark. The Canadian Shark Class will cover 2 regatta fees for youth crews meeting the criteria. The competitive circuit is also attracting large boat owners to buy a Shark and join the fun. Sorry, no subsidy for you but the class does offer great value. Most regattas are $200 and offer 3 Dinners and other perks! The stamp of approval for the fleet is that several past Olympic sailors own/race Sharks, and Air Canada even used an image of the Shark as a screen saver on board their planes!
Club racing is also thriving. There are large fleets across Ontario and Quebec racing weekly. If you want more information go to Shark24.ca or ask a friendly Shark Sailor!
See you on the water,
Rod Gardner President – Canadian Shark Class Association
