The Optimist is a small single-handed sailing boat, designed in 1947 for use by children (up to the age of 16). Usually constructed of fibreglass, the Optimist is used for introductory sailing and racing.
The Optimist is one of the most popular types of sailboats in the world, with over 150,000 boats officially registered in the class, which is recognised as an international class by the International Sailing Federation.

The Optimist was designed in 1947 by the American naval architect Clark Mills. Major Clifford McKay, inspired by the annual soapbox race organised by the Optimist International Club in the town of Clearwater, Florida, proposed to find a regular activity to occupy young people and thus combat delinquency: sailing. (source Wikipedia)

The Laser is a very popular one-design dinghy. It is a single-handed boat, meaning that only one person can come aboard to steer and trim the sail. Bruce Kirby's design emphasises simplicity and performance.

It has become one of the most widely used dinghies in the world with over 200,000 units built by early 2011. Its success lies in its simplicity, its robustness and its adoption by racers who appreciate its strict one-design: all competitors use hulls and rigging supplied by a single manufacturer, with only minor modifications explicitly allowed in the rules. (source Wikipedia)

This type of boat is common in many parts of the world, particularly in the Pacific, where it has been described by pirate adventurers since the 17th century. Nowadays, the catamaran is used both in sailing schools for its playfulness and in competitions where its speed capabilities are appreciated. Modern technology has improved performance by adding daggerboards and more recently foils to make these fast boats "fly".

The catamaran offers the sensations of a gliding sport; it requires physical and technical qualities, and, as it is most often practised in pairs, synchronisation and cohesion of the crew. In a club, you can start from 11 years old, but the practice in regatta concerns mainly teenagers and adults: according to the size of the crew, boats from 14 to 18 feet are used. The most successful crews will go for the Nacra17 (Olympic series).

Windsurfing is a type of minimalist sailing boat and is also the sport of gliding practised with this craft. It consists of a simple board or float, and a rig that is attached to the board at the base of the mast. Windsurfing is characterised by the standing position of the windsurfer and the absence of a rudder and sheets.

It is the windsurfer who lifts and holds the mast and sail in an active position, orienting himself on the water by tilting the rig back and forth, or by changing his support on the board. (source Wikipedia