The Beverly Yacht Club will be hosting the US Optimist Dinghy Association New England Championship July 29 through July 31, in what is sure to be a packed weekend, according to BYC general manager Dean Lavoie.

Optimists are small dinghies steered with one hand and are primarily used by children. To take part in this championship the USODA allows competitors born on or after January 1, 1996.  Each “skipper” of an Optimist is put into an age group, or fleet. These fleets are divided by color. A special Green Fleet is also offered for novice skippers.

Sarah Mitchell, race coordinator, says 310 skippers have already been registered.

“It’s great. And a lot of fun for the parents and coaches. All of these kids are qualifying for the Nationals in New Jersey next spring.”

Most races will last around 45 minutes (depending on the wind) and can contain as many as 100 optimists going at once. Mitchell says the top 25 qualifiers will make it to the Nationals, which host more than 200 skippers. The New England Championship is just one of many regional races around the nation.

For more information, visit http://www.optine.org/