In November, OKDIA secretary, Robert Deaves and OKDIA TC Chair Alistair Deaves undertook a very successful site visit to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya, Thailand, ahead of a potential world championship bid. After two days of constructive talks, a bid for the 2027 World Championship is expected, with the club very enthusiastic and excited for the class to return after 14 years.
Those who took part in 2013 made memories on and off the water that will never be forgotten. Since then, the Thai fleet has developed and grown, and it is hoped can get ten or more boats on the water for a world championship.
In tandem with this visit, Alistair Deaves, International Measurer, ran an intensive measurement training session for a local Thai, Nat, resulting in him becoming the first Official Measurer for the class in Thailand. This will hopefully mean that all privately owned OK Dinghies at the club and around the country can become Class Rules compliant. In addition, the Thai class members present were instructed in proper documentation for the boats, so we hope to see all Thai boats properly registered with up to date certificates and THA numbers in the future.
The Royal Varuna Yacht Club posted this:
OKDIA would like to thank the Royal Varuna Yacht Club for its hospitality, John Higham, and Morten Jakobsen for making it all happen.
