IODA

IODA is the international body that groups national Optimist associations in charge of the regulation and development of the Optimist sailing in each country.

IODA Handbook 2025

IODA Class Rules 2026

How to Prepare for Measurement at an IODA Event 2025

IODA Sail Optimist Team Race Umpiring Guide 2023

IODA Race Management Policies V7 2024

Document Technical Committee: Low friction rings are not permitted on any part of the rigging

Team Training Sessions

Note for Coaches and Team Leaders – If teams are training out of their own or other clubs please could they make contact with the club first to arrange suitability and to inform them that a training session is happening.  NZIODA has had feedback that training sessions are being undertaken and facilities are being used without clubs being aware.

IODA Championships

IODA organises various championships around the globe. NZIODA selects teams to represent New Zealand in these events.

New Zealand representative teams in the 2025 IODA Championships

New Zealand representative teams in the 2023  and 2024 IODA Championships

Upcoming IODA Championships

Please note that the below are the dates of the actual regatta.  Teams will be leaving at least 7 to 10 days prior. 

2025 IODA Championships

Expression of Interest ONLY

  • 2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship
    • Mussanah, Oman, 25th October to 1st November

2026 IODA Championships

  • 2026 North American Championship
    • Martinique, Caribbean 21st to 28th May
  • 2026 Optimist World Championship
  • 2026 Optimist European Championship
    • Gydnia, Poland 24th to 31st July

Expression of Interest ONLY

Coach insurance: All coaches that support IODA and development teams overseas will be covered by NZIODA travel and liability insurance.
 
Note on selection: “NZIODA notes that IODA recommends that sailors attending international IODA events are older than 12. As a result NZIODA reserves the right where a sailor younger than 12 qualifies for a travelling team to make an exemption to allow the sailor to join the travelling team if the NZIODA Committee are comfortable that the sailor has the required maturity and skills.”
 

Previous Team Leader Reports

Optimist World Championships
 
Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship
Hong Kong 2024 – No report received from Team Leader
 
Optimist European Championship
 
North American Championship

More about IODA

Why does IODA exist?

The objective of the Class is to provide racing for young people at a low cost.

The objectives of the Association are:

  • To administer the International Optimist Dinghy Class in accordance with World Sailing requirements, and to see that the Class Rules are observed.
  • To promote the International Optimist Dinghy and the Class
  • To establish Conditions for the Optimist World and Continental Championships and determine where they are to be held.

Keep up to date with all IODA Events and News HERE

 

Host an IODA event. Notes on Bidding

Ever considered hosting an IODA event? Here, you’ll find all the resources you need to kick-start the process to what will be a rewarding and prestigious accolade to log in your sailing club’s history.

There are so many long-term benefits to your sailing club that come from hosting, which is why the information below can help you kick-start the process.

Your free resources below include notes on bidding, the administrative requirements, mandatory guidelines, bid forms, handbooks and links to some previous championship sites.

Good luck! It’s an intensive but hugely rewarding experience.

Important Documentation:

Please also refer to the IODA Website on Bids HERE

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Recycled Optimist Parts and Equipment

IODA AGM 2023

The 2023 IODA Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on June 22nd at La Ballena Alegre, Costa Brava, Spain during the 2023 Optimist World Championship.
 
A total of 48 Countries were registered and we received 9 Proxy votes totaling a representation of 57 Members at the AGM. We also had 10 Observers officially registered to attend the meeting. 
 
The AGM started with IODA President, Kevin Whitcraft proposed Chair the meeting.
 
The first item of business was the approval of the 2022 AGM Minutes.
 
To view the 2022 AGM Minutes, go here.
 
Reports:
 
IODA President, Kevin Whitcraft presented his report followed by the Vice President of Africa, Asia & Oceania, Ajay Narang; VP Americas, Sigrid Beckman; and then VP Europe, Carmen Casco presenting their reports on the global 2022 Optimist Class activities and initiatives in their region and the plans for IODA for the coming year.
 
To read the written President’s Report, go here.
 
To view the President’s Report presented at the AGM, including the IODA Coach Development Program report, go here.
 
To read the written VP Africa, Asia & Oceania’s Report, go here.
 
To view the VP Africa, Asia & Oceania’s Report presented at the AGM, go here.
 
To read the written VP America’s Report, go here.
 
To view the VP America’s Report presented at the AGM, including the ROPE Program report, go here.
 
To read the written VP Europe’s Report, go here.
 
To view the VP Europe’s Report presented at the AGM, go here.
 
The Technical Committee Chair, Olive Parker, reported on the technical class activities over the past year that included IODA Championship Measurement, measurement seminars, reviewing templates and class rules, plus information on the new equipment RFID tags, as well as the TC plans for the future.
 
To read the Technical Committee Chair’s Report go here.
 
To view the Technical Committee Chair’s Report presented at the AGM, go here.
 
This was followed by a report from the Regatta Committee Chair, Ricardo Navarro regarding the 2023 Championships, development of race officials and other capabilities in the delivery of IODA events, plus the creation of a history Microsite. This was Ricardo’s last report as Chair of the Regatta Committee as he is retiring from IODA after 12 years of service.
 
To read the Regatta Committee Chair’s Report go here.
 
To view the Regatta Committee Chair’s Report presented at the AGM, go here.
 
The President presented the 2022 Audited Financial Statements. IODA had strong Plaque and Sail Label sales, plus increased IODA Championship Fees and Member Subscription Dues resulting in a profit on the year. The 2022 Audited Financial Statements were approved by the Members.
 
To read the Finance Report go here.
 
There were no fee changes proposed for the Subscriptions Dues, Plaque Fees, or Championship Fees, so all are remaining the same for 2024.  The Members re-confirmed that the spar and foil label fees of $5 USD each will be introduced on January 1, 2024.
 
Article & Championship Proposals:
 
All 18 Executive Proposals were approved. Sixteen of them involved housekeeping changes to the Championship Conditions regarding # of North American team sizes at the South Americans, Perpetual Trophies, Officials, and Team Racing at our IODA Continental Championships.  
 
The remaining two Article Changes involved updating Article 5 clarifying the organizational structure and code of conduct.
 
To review the Executive Committee Proposals, go here.
 
Class Rule Changes:
 
All four Class Rule Changes were approved.  Although they have been approved by the Members at the AGM, the next step is for the changes to be approved by World Sailing. This process will take a few months. The Class Rule changes if approved will come into effect on January 1, 2024.
 
To review the Class Rule Changes, go here.
 
Member Proposals:
 
We received three Proposals from Members. ITA’s and ESP’s proposals were withdrawn. PUR’s proposal was approved.
 
To review the three Member Proposals, go here.
 
Election Results:
 
The following persons were elected by acclamation as Members of the Executive Committee.
  • Kevin Whitcraft, President
  • Carmen Casco, VP Europe
The following persons were elected by acclamation as Members of the Technical Committee
  • Olive Parker, (IRL)
  • Ale Williman, (URG)
The following persons were elected as Members of the Regatta Committee.
  • Miguel Amaral (POR), IRO
  • Andrez Perez (ESP), IJ
The final item of business was the approval of Beierholm, from Aalborg, Denmark as the auditor for the 2023 IODA Financial Statements.
 
Recognition:
 
At the conclusion of the AGM, Ricardo Navarro, was elected as an IODA Officer of Honour in recognition for his 12 years of exemplary service as a member and Chair of the Regatta Committee, and for his role and many years on the Executive Committee.
 
Ricardo received a beautiful Image Book created by award winning photographer Matias Capizzano with images from events throughout his 12 years at IODA. It was signed by many people far and wide who have worked with Ricardo over the years.
 
Conclusion:
 
The Executive Committee would like to thank all our members for sending their representatives to attend the 2023 AGM or providing their Proxies if they were unable to attend.
 
The feedback, discussion and ideas expressed at the AGM were much appreciated and the Executive Committee has taken all the comments under advisement and will work towards finding solutions to issues of concern.
 
2024 AGM:
 
Next year, the AGM will be held during the 2024 Optimist World Championship being held in Mar del Plata, ARG, from December 5 to 15th. The tentative date for the 2024 AGM is December 12, 2024.
 
We hope as many members as possible will join at the 2024 AGM next year.  
 
50th Anniversary Video:
 
In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of IODA, a special video was created by Matias Capizzano that captures the spirit of the class over the past 60 years of World Championships titled ‘Making Opti Memories for 50 Years’. Hope you enjoy it! Feel free to share!
 
 
50Th Anniversario IODA Worlds HD

 

Updated 30.12.25

E-mail nzoptimist@gmail.com
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