The National OGA Gaffling Championships took place on Rutland Water reservoir on Sunday 30 August, 2026 as part of the three day OGA National Small Boat rally. All six Gafflings took part in the final with three generations of one family in two of them. Our National President Mike Beckett also took part with his wife D in ‘Jabberwocky’. First to finish were Pete and Clare Thomas (proving that Elder Gaffers still have what it takes) in ‘Tunstall Tide’, built by Martin Haigh and school students in the North East of England; second (only 36 seconds later) were Robert and Elaine Green in ‘Suffling’, built by the East Coast Gaffers; third were Mike and D Beckett in ‘Jabberwocky’, built by school students in the North West of England.
Robert and Elaine Green arrived at Rutland Water having trailed their own boat all the way from the Bristol Channel/South West Area of the OGA. They have sent a report about racing in the Gafflings . . . scroll down below the slideshow to see what they thought!
We’ve always fancied going to Rutland Water and the five hour trek, trailing our boat ‘Skylark’ from Somerset was well worth it. The reservoir is a superb area to sail in and the weather was bright and cheery with exciting sailing conditions. On the Sunday we joined in the Gaffling Championships, rather nervously (crew), as we hadn’t sailed in a dinghy for ten years! As we really wanted to sail our own boat (as it was the best day) we came to the conclusion that it would be best to be knocked out in the first heat, leaving us to do our own thing for the rest of the day. To help ensure the desired result, we put a reef in (the only Gaffling to do so), but to our great surprise we won the heat! Just goes to show how some boats like to be sailed upright.
Having found ourselves in the final, we realised that we were the only crew representing the SW/BC Areas, so at this stage thought we had better put a bit of effort in. Rob decided to get his crew all limbered up and we set off. It was a downwind start so all of us ended up rounding the first mark in a line six abreast – as soon as somebody crept slightly ahead they lost the wind and drifted back in line!
So, final verdict on the Gaffling? We were glad we were encouraged to sail it in the race, it was great fun and we found it to be very responsive, pointing well into wind but still feeling solid and stable.
Thanks to Mike for organising the weekend, it was a lovely three day break with sunshine, sailing and superb company. We definitely plan to see you all again next year! I mean – how often does one get the chance to compete in a world championship?
Save the Date for your 2027 Diary
The Fourth Gaffling Championships will take place at Rutland Water reservoir over the Bank Holiday weekend, arriving Friday 27 August and leaving Tuesday 31 August 2027.