History
The Belgian Dragon Association was founded in 1947
Rapidly expanding to about 20 boats, the fleet has always been active in the Dragon world and has kept particulary good contacts with fleets in the UK and in France.
There was a time that races were organised between Ostend and Ramsgate and retour!
Membership is around 70 afficionados, owners, helmsmen and crews confounded.
Presently it counts a mobile fleet of about 15 boats participating in the major regattas of the dragon world and some 8-10 boats who will do their best, but due to too much work will be there next year.
“There are brand-new yachts and also beautifull kept classic dragons. In the nineties Dirk Rens under sail number BEL 56 was Champion of Belgium. In 2003 Bel 66 Carabistouilles joined our fleet and became also Champion of Belgium.”
The fleet has its own crane for launching in Ostend, which is in fact the home base of the Belgian Dragons.
The majority of the races are organised in Ostend or in Nieuwpoort, in the open waters of the North Sea. There is a lot of fun to sail in the tidal and open seas in front of Ostend, where courses are always difficult to foresee and sailing conditions are very seamanlike.
Furthermore the after-race receptions organised by the Royal North Sea Yacht Club are known to be of the very best and the town of Ostend has a lot to offer to the common dragoner.
High season is in August when every week-end races are held, with the 15th of August being the date when the national championship is run.
The real opener of the season is the Marie- Christine Challenge in June.
Attractive races such as the Noordzee Kampioenschap are run in June/July.
In september the race Ostend-Blankenberghe is organized
Other international sailors base their dragon in Ostend.
Races can be said to be of international level.
For the Dragon history.... click here, this will bring you to the IDA website