Old Gaffers Association
| Old Gaffers Association OGA | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sport | Sailing |
| Official website |
www |
| HISTORY | |
| Year of formation | 1963 |
| FINANCE | |
| Company status | Unincorporated Association |
| AREAS | |
| |
The Old Gaffers Association (OGA - The Association for Gaff Rig Sailing) is an unincorporated association formed in 1963 in the United Kingdom to promote the use of the Gaff rig.
The first ever ‘Old Gaffers’ race was held on the Solent in 1959, with just 13 boats. A similar race was held on the east coast of England in 1963. The growing success of these early races, open to gaff rig boats, led to the formation of the OGA as a national association at the Little Ship Club, Maldon, Essex in 1963. In the early days, activities were focussed on rescuing or preserving old gaff rigged boats. Now members can also choose to sail new gaff rigged boats. Some new boats are built using traditional methods and others use modern techniques and materials but still provide a traditional sailing experience.
The OGA is managed on an area basis in the UK and Ireland, with members all over the world. It has close links with affiliated associations in France, the Netherlands (which has members in Belgium), Canada and Australia.
In 2013 the association celebrated its 50th anniversary with the publication of a book of stories from the history of the Association.[1] 21 member boats from the UK and the Netherlands took part in a UK circumnavigation (Round Britain Challenge) and hosted a number of area based events culminating in a Golden Jubilee Festival at Cowes attended by more than 180 gaff-rigged boats.
References
- ↑ Head, Viv (2013). Sailing Gaffers. Quartet. ISBN 978-0704373297.
External links
- OGA Website
- Netherlands OGA
- British Columbia OGA
- OGA Western Australia
- Fédération des Vieux Gréements de France