Official Heron Dinghy Class Association Races.
RUNNING OFFICIAL HERON DINGHY CLASS ASSOCIATION (HDCA) RACES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS
Heron Dinghy class racing is easy to run but there are a few rules to be followed especially for championships.
1. Venues and dates for Championships and Open Meetings shall be approved by the HDCA Committee.
2. Races shall be conducted in accordance with the current ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing.
3. All competing boats shall hold a valid measurement certificate (or Log Book) and comply with the class rules. All sails shall have been measured and signed by an approved measurer.
4. Documents to support items 3 and 7 may be requested by the organisers before or after the event.
5. Races may be for either singlehanded sailing or two man crews, including the National Championships, the Southern, and also the Northern Championships, and the results calculated on handicap.
6. Trophies are awarded to the helm.
7. The following are eligible to enter an event and win trophies belonging to the HDCA:
(a) Anyone with a valid current membership of the HDCA of whatever category.
(b) The child of any such member provided that their eighteenth birthday is in the calendar year of the event or later.
(c) A child (whose sixteenth birthday is in the calendar year of the event or later and whose either:
(i) Sails a Heron with a school club which is a member of the HDCA.
(ii) Is a member of a club recognised by the RYA.
(d) A member of a host sailing club who is sailing a Heron belonging to someone who is a member of both that club and the HDCA. However this provision shall not apply to those owning a Heron dinghy, such persons being required to join the HDCA before participating in the event. (Persons qualifying under this provision may be required to pay an additional fee (Temporary Membership) up to the amount of the entry fee to the HDCA before being eligible for any trophies).
(e) For a Junior Helm and Crew trophy, both must comply with (c) above.
(f) A Veteran Helm is one whose fiftieth birthday is in the calendar year of the event or earlier.
8. The HDCA Trophies are as follows:
(a) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Silver Heron – Awarded to the National Champion
Yachting World Bowl – Awarded to winner of the first points race.
Findlay Cup – Awarded to the winner of the second points race.
Bletchley Bowl – Awarded to the winner of the third points race.
Ladies Trophy – Awarded to the first Lady helm in the championship.
Brolga Trophy – Awarded to the first helm over 50 years old.
Fenn & Wood Club Trophy – Awarded to the club who gain the lowest aggregate points in the championship series with a team of three boats.
Single Handed Championship Trophy – Awarded to the single handed champion.
Clan Trophy – Awarded to the first boat sailed by two members of the same family. Donated by Andrew Dawson and Ann Hook.
(b) SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP:
Bell Trophy – Awarded to the Southern Area Champion
Alfred Bossi Trophy – Awarded to the winner of the first points race.
Marlow Salver – Awarded to the winner of the second points race.
Croydon Anchor – Awarded to the winner of the third points race.
Swanage Ladies Trophy – Awarded to the first Lady helm in the championship.
Swanage Town TEAM Trophy – Awarded to the club who gains the lowest aggregate points in the “Carved Plaque” series with a team of three boats.
(c) NORTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP:
Bell Trophy (Northern) – Awarded to the Northern Area Champion
Yeadon Cup – Awarded to the winner of the first points race
Alfred Bossi Trophy – Awarded to the winner of the second points race
Thompson Trophy – Awarded to the winner of the third points race.
(d) JUNIOR CHANPIONSHIPS:
Allott Trophy – Awarded to the winner of the Southern Area.
Crane Trophy – Awarded the winner of the Northern Area.
(e) TRAVELLER’S TROPHY:
Awarded to the helm who gains the best three results in the nominated Heron Open Meetings.
9. Change of Boat. If a helm wishes to change boats, permission must be obtained from the Race Officer before the start of the race.
10. Change of Helm. If the helm is changed other than in an emergency, the boat must be re-entered as a new entry prior to the race.
11. Should there be an exceptional need for extra safety equipment over and above that allowed under the class rules then this must be advertised in the Notice of Race and published in adequate time before the event.
