Getting Started - Join the Class Association The best way to get started is to write or e-mail the class administrator: Mrs B Harrison UKNCCA Administrator 47 Mill Hill Road Cowes Isle of Wight PO31 7EG   email: cadetclass.admin@googlemail.com UKNCCA Membership form (click here to download) New members are provided with an introductory pack including the latest copy of the cadet magazine. Barbara can advise on the nearest club with an active cadet fleet so you can try out sailing these delightful boats before committing to expense. About the Cadet Unlike the Optimist or Topper classes, the Cadet is a junior class of boat which is sailed by a crew of two, namely a helm and a crew. More children sail a Cadet than any other RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Junior Class double handed training boat. The big advantage of this is that the children can get to sail as a crew almost straight away under the guidance of an older and more experienced helm. The helms will often have a great deal of experience and knowledge which they can then pass down to the new crews and therefore ensure rapid progress for the beginners. The Cadet provides a three sail experience where the helm and the crew must work together as a team to obtain the best results. Typically crews will start at 8 or 9 years of age and then begin to helm at 12 or 13 but this is largely dependant on size and ability. The class finishes for children in their 17th year. About the Association The Cadet Class Association is dedicated to ensuring that children learn to sail in a safe, cheerful environment. The Association provides training for beginners and all abilities up to the most expert sailors wishing to compete internationally. For beginners at club level there are training days paid for by the Association. Sailors can then pursue the RYA badges or continue with club training and attend Open Training organised by the Association, which may be at a nearby club. If they are successful they might be selected for an RYA squad. There are Zone Squads for the younger, less experienced teams and then the top boats in the country aspire to the National Squad. The Association also provides loan boats to clubs that are developing their Cadet sailing class so that youngsters can try out a Cadet for a few weeks to see how much fun it really is. Racing As soon as helms and crews are comfortable with the basic skills of sailing, the clubs and Class will encourage them to try their hand at racing. Much of the training at Zone Squad and National squad level is preparing teams for the various competitions that take place throughout the year. Firstly most clubs will host an Open event with visitors arriving from all over the country. Then there are the Association run Indicators, including Inland Championships and National Championships where over 100 cadets will gather to compete for the many trophies and prizes. These events provide a fantastic opportunity to children to meet new friends and enjoy the various social activities while participating in a lively outdoor sport. History The International Cadet Class itself was formed in 1947 and Jack Holt who was a junior race trainer designed the first Cadet boat. Since then, thousands of children have had their first introduction to sailing via the Cadet including several Olympic Sailing medallists. The Cadet dinghy The Cadet is what is known as a one-design boat and therefore all Cadets have the same, strictly controlled measurements. The boat itself is 3.2m long, weighs 61.2 kg and has a sail area of 4.55 / 4.65 square metres. The boat was purposely designed to be too small for an adult to sail but with all the attributes of a racing dingy even to include a spinnaker. For many years all Cadets were made of wood but the latest models are made of glass fibre which of course means low maintenance. There is a ready market for older Cadet dinghies, both wooden and glass fibre. These cheaper older boats are never the less still very competitive with national success being achieved in second-hand boats costing less than £1,000. There are boats for sale all the time and a good idea of the typical costs can be found in the Sale Room or you could contact a Licensed Boat Builder if you are considering a new boat! Internationally The Cadet Class is not just restricted to the UK, and each year a team is selected following a series of Indicator events to compete in the World Championships. These have taken place in Australia, Argentina, India and various European countries. The International rules and regulations of the class are run by the International Cadet Class (ICC).