The RS Aero has been in the spotlight for weeks with the lead up to the World Sailing Mid-Year Conference. Although the RS Aero wasn’t selected as the 2024 Equipment for the Men’s and Women’s One Person Dinghy, it’s undeniable that the RS Aero has been proven superior in almost every aspect.
There has been a surge of sailors trying to find out more about the RS Aero. In short, it seems that a lot of you are now confident that the RS Aero is the best modern single-hander on the market, but you want to know more about the RS Aero Class Association.
In the five years since the RS Aero was launched there have been 2,000 RS Aero’s distributed Worldwide. There were a whopping 200+ boats at the 2018 RS Aero World Championships from 16 different nations. There were just over 120 RS Aero events held worldwide last year, sailors ages ranged from just eleven years old, up to well into their awesome eighties. There is a whole squad of driven youth sailors, a lively group of female sailors, a ton of competitive club warriors and a select few Olympic hopefuls. Whatever your age or sailing ability there’s a group of sailors within the class ready to welcome you.
True to its RS roots, the RS Aero Class race hard but also have epic socials! From a laid-back BBQ, formal sit-down dinners, fancy dress rampages or just a cold one in the bar – there is something for everyone. The RS Aero Class have a great mixture of Open Training and Squad Coaching that you can easily get involved in to develop your sailing prowess. The Class has a passionate and incredibly active committee of volunteers that drive the RS Aero Class Association forward. Peter Barton, the RS Aero Class Manager, works tirelessly co-ordinating and managing the classes snowballing activity. There is a busy Facebook group and a great forum full of top tips, spare kit and support.
As we look ahead into the 2019 season and beyond, it’s exciting to see the diversifying participation, enhanced global reach and the sheer joy the RS Aero will bring so many people in our sport. Here are some of the notable events that you need to pencil into your calendar, right now!
- 28th to 30th June – North American Championships – Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, USA
- 6th to 8th July – German Nationals, Warnemunde, Germany
- 24th to 28th July – UK National Championships – Scotland, UK
- 5 to 6th Aug – Swedish RS Aero class championships, Sweden
- 18th to 23rd Aug – European Championship – Malcesine, Lake Garda Italy
- 14 to 15th Sept – RS Aerocup – Bruinsse, Holland
- 28th Dec 2019 – 4th Jan 2020 – 3rd RS Aero World Championships, Australia
- 1st to 7th Aug 2020 – 4th RS Aero World Championship – Cascade Locks, Oregon, USA
If you don’t own a boat, don’t let that stop you. We have a fleet of charter boats available for Charter at our showcase events from the RS Sailing Store. Alternatively, if there are a few of you at your club that are interested in finding out what all the fuss is about, why not arrange a free demo day with the RS Team?
The RS Aero Class will be celebrating it’s 5th Birthday in a couple of weeks’ time, firstly at Warsash Sailing Club, UK on the 22nd June, Maggiore Sailing Club, Italy on the 29th June and The Gorge, USA on the 29th June. Candles, cakes and celebrations at the ready!
The RS Aero family is growing by the day and there is plenty more room for any new budding RS Aero sailors to come and get involved. Find out how by getting in touch with the wonderful folks at the RS Aero Class Association.
