For the first time in almost 15 years, the Sharks are coming home, as the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club hosts the world championship of the sailboat designed and at one time built in town.
The popular sailing yacht was originally designed and built by George Hinterhoeller in in 1959, and intended to handle local sailing conditions. His son, Richard Hinterhoeller is the chief race officer for the regatta.
To be held from Aug. 20-25, the Shark World Championship is special event this year, said Orla Morgan, public relations director of the sailing club — the race hasn’t been held in Niagara since 2009. The club is expecting more than 40 boats, and while most sailors are Canadian, crews are coming from as far away as Germany and Austria.
“We give them a loaner boat,” explained Morgan. “They bring their own sails and everything is weighed to conform to a class.”
Morgan said the Shark community is like no other. “Every Wednesday night, they’re out there racing. They have their own course. We have past world champions in the fleet and we have people who are brand new to sailing.”
“It’s one of those things,” she explained. “You can buy a Ferrari or you can buy a Corolla. They’re the Corolla. If you’re new to sailing, you can smash into things and it’s going to take it. It will bounce right off because it is just so well designed.”
The sailing club uses Sharks for their adult sailing program on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
The activity at the club on Melville Street will be similar to last year’s Canada Summer Games. Sailors will be camping on the property and boats from other clubs will be docked. The international jury is billeted with club members.
Last year’s Shark championship was held in Austria. Every four years it takes place in Europe “and then it travels around North America,” said Morgan.
The Shark Work Championship starts on Sunday, Aug. 20, with measurement, weigh-in and launch. It runs until Friday Aug. 25.