Lots in store from RYA Sailability at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show 2010 

Find out all about RYA Sailability, see the boats and chat with the experts.

Sailing is a fantastic sport for disabled children and adults; imagine the thrill of sailing for people, who can feel and hear but have no sight, or of sailing a boat at speed even though they can't walk, or of joining in a sport where deafness doesn't matter.

Sailing is one of the very few sports that allows disabled sailors to participate against able-bodies sailors on equal terms and through the RYA’s Sailability programme some 25,000 people with a disability have been able to experience sailing and sail regularly.  

At this years’ RYA Volvo Dinghy Show 2010, in association with Yachts & Yachting and Suzuki, held at Alexandra Palace, London over the weekend of 6-7 March, the RYA Sailability team and a number of class associations that work with disabled sailors will be available for you to come along and meet and discuss anything from starting sailing to how your club could become a Sailability club.  

The Sailability Marina in the Panorama Hall will have a display of seven different boats for you to have a good look over including, the Challenger Trimaran, Artemis 20, Paralympic 2.4 metre single hander, Skud 18 and the new Windrider 10.  

There will also be two Access dinghies (203 and 303) moored on a mini pontoon along with an interactive hoist.   

Debbie Blachford, RYA Sailability Manager said: “We are delighted that the class associations will be joining us at this years’ show, they’ll be able to provide visitors with expert knowledge and advice about the specifics of the different boats we have on display.   

“We will also be joined by Matt Grier, RYA Disability Racing Development Coach who will be able to advise people on how they can get involved in Racing events and myself and my team can offer advice on how to get started in the sport, set up your own Sailability group, RYA courses for disabled sailors or helping you get more volunteers for your club.”  

Sailability works to encourage and support people with disabilities to take up the sport and help club and centres develop sailing opportunities.  

For more information about RYA Sailability visit the RYA website www.rya.org.uk click on the Sailability link at the bottom of the home page.  

Tickets and more information

To find out more and to order your tickets visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 811 0409.

Tickets cost just £11.00 for adults / £9.00 for RYA members, if you book in advance.  £5.00 for children (5-16 years), free on Sunday, with children who are RYA members going free of charge all weekend.   

Tickets can also be purchased on the door for £13.00 adult and £6.50 child.  

Advance booking club competition

Thanks to show sponsors Volvo plus Suzuki, Rigiflex, Mersea Trailers and Rooster Sailing, for every 10 or more members visiting the show from your club, the club could win:

• 10 or more WIN 10 Rooster Sailing buoyancy aids
• 20 or more WIN A set of five Volvo racing marks
• 30 or more WIN Safety Boat Package comprising: Suzuki 9.9hp Outboard engine, Rigiflex New Matic 360 motor boat and trailer from Mersea Trailers  

So give the name of your club when you book your ticket and you could help your club win one of these great prizes.    

All visitors to the show can also pick up their FREE show guide and FREE sailing season wall planner.  

Disabled access at Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace has parking spaces at the main entrance for blue badge holders.  All areas are accessible to disabled visitors, including wheelchair users.  Guide dogs are also welcome.  For more information visit www.alexandrapalace.com and click on disabled information.