The Australian Sharpie is a highly competitive yet social class with a long history of attracting and developing champion sailors. Past champions to have passed through the ranks include Sir James Hardy, John Cuneo, Rolly Tasker and John Bertrand.

Rolly Tasker won Australia’s first sailing medal at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne when he and John (Huck) Scott won a silver medal in their 12m Sharpie.

The Australian Sharpie, or Lightweight Sharpie, was founded by the Addison brothers in Western Australia and is a much lighter version of the original 12m, or Heavyweight, Sharpie.

The Australian Sharpie is sailed in all Australian States and the National Championships are held each year in December/January.

The National Championships rotate on a year by year basis with the 07/08 titles in WA, the 08/09 titles in NSW and the 09/10 titles in Tas.

In Western Australia, there are fleets at EFYC and MBSC in Perth, GBYC in Busselton, GYC in Geraldton and MOFSC in Mandurah.