The Dinghy Cruising Association will be 70 years old in 2025. You can read how it got started on our main website: How the DCA Began. We are encouraging all our members, to celebrate in someway during the year. Maybe a birthday cake at a rally or something more organised? Plans will be announced in the Forum and highlighted on this page.
North America
As our North American group continues to grow and flourish they have offered noted author and sailing videographer Roger Barnes, President of the Dinghy Cruising Association, an opportunity to visit the United States. Roger will be teaching a class at the Wooden Boat School from 6 - 12 July, and speaking at the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic, Connecticut, 27 - 29 June. He will also be sailing with our New England Chapter throughout his visit.
The group hope to have a Dinghy Cruising Association booth at the Wooden Boat Show where people can meet Roger, talk about small boats and have a good time. If you bring a copy of his book, The Dinghy Cruising Companion, he will be more than happy to sign it.
To facilitate these plans the NA Regional Group is seeking to raise funds to help underwrite some of the costs associated with Roger's trip. Primarily they would like to raise funds to help cover airfare, lodging, car rental (if needed) and the cost of renting an information booth during the Wooden Boat Show. Any unused funds will go to the Dinghy Cruising Association for future activities. If for some reason Roger is unable to come to the US, donations will be returned to donors as per GoFundMe policies and procedures.
To donate to the fund Click here
In addition to bringing Roger to the USA, the DCA North West Chapter will co-sponsor the second Small Boat Festival at Port Ludlow Marina. The Festival will take place on Saturday 31st May with dinner following that evening in the marina’s big Pavilion tent.
For more information about this event and to sign up Click here
France
In France there are plans for DCA members participating in the Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan this year to meet up and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the DCA. The Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan is an international maritime event attended by more than a thousand traditional and classic boats. They divide into flotillas and sail every day between ports and anchorages in the Golfe. This year it takes place between 26 May and 1 June.
The organisers have invited participating DCA boats to form a group, our own exclusive flotilla in effect, to sail in formation in the opening parade on the afternoon of Monday 26 May. This is a rare honour for our club. It awards us special status in the event and recognises that with 42 boats taking part, and with 70 years of history, the DCA is a major and distinguished player in the world of small boat sailing.
England - South Coast
An early celebration of the DCA's 70th anniversary will take place at the 2025 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show at Farnborough. Manned by volunteers from the South Coast group, the DCA stand will showcase dinghy cruising and for the second year running, 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.
The Show takes place on 22nd and 23rd February. 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.
