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What's on at the RYA Dinghy Show 2019

 

There’s less than one month to go until the RYA Dinghy Show returns to Alexandra Palace, London, over the weekend of 02-03 March.

Cruiser, racer or foiler? Whatever your dinghy sailing ‘tribe’, the RYA Dinghy Show in association with Yachts & Yachting and Suzuki, is the perfect place to start the new sailing year.

Featuring more than 160 exhibitors, a full line up of expert speakers and sailing demonstrations, as well as plenty of interactive features and activities to inspire the whole family. It’s the ideal opportunity to catch up with old friends, connect with fellow ‘tribe’-members and pick up everything you need for the sailing season ahead.

Here are some of our show highlights…

What’s new for 2019?

New hosts - The 2019 show will see three new hosts take to the stage; Double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson OBE, will be joining forces with sailing presenter and journalist Matt Sheahan and Match Racing World Champion and Olympic sailor Annie Lush.

New speakers - We’re delighted to welcome a whole host of new speakers, Q&A sessions and workshops, presented across the show’s five stages:

  • Rob Andrews will be talking ‘Tribes and Trends’ with our 2019 show hosts; Shirley Robertson and Matt Sheahan (Saturday 11:00, Sunday 10:30).
  • Be inspired by Team UK Invictus Games sailors; Andrew ‘Pav’ Taylor and Sadie Melling as they share their life-changing Invictus experience (Main Stage, Saturday 11:45).
  • Roger Barnes, The Dinghy Cruising Companion and President of the Dinghy Cruising Association, will be sharing his advice for another amazing year of cruising on Sunday (Main Stage,11:15).
  • British Sailing Team’s Meteorologist, Simon Rowell will be sharing how to get a good weather forecast quickly and explaining how to apply it locally (Main Stage, Saturday 13:30, Sunday 14:30).
  • Can anyone really foil? Dinghy foiling coach, Paul Outram; and instructor, Phoebe Twigg; talk about first time foiling and how getting airborne might be easier than you think (Main Stage, Saturday 14:15, Sunday 12:45).
  • Dinghy historian, David Henshall will be looking back and exploring 90 years of continuous innovation – ‘The Story of the International Moth’ on Saturday and Sunday (Main Stage, Saturday 17:00, Sunday 13:45).
  • In the Knowledge Zone, Olympians Saskia Clark, Paul Brotherton and Simon Hiscocks will all be sharing their expertise and British Sailing Team, Laser sailor, Sam Whaley will be demonstrating how to get the most out of your Laser.

Image credit Getty Images Invictus Games Sydney 2018

New activities – Also new for 2019 is the activity pool, where show visitors will be able to race against other ‘tribe’ members. See whose on-the-water skills are best by racing the fleet of model boats.

With so much on, why not make a weekend of it? For those that want to see even more of the action, we are thrilled to be offering weekend tickets for the first time this year.

Returning favourites

Featuring inspirational female sailors, the popular Women’s Sailing Hub returns for the 2019 Show. Hear from Annie Lush about how The Magenta Project are accelerating women to the top of sailing and your chance to meet Olympic RS:X sailor Bryony Shaw. Also why not stop by for a chat with the RYA’s Susie Moore about find out how to get the most out of being on the water this season as well as top tips on getting more women on the water in 2019.

The Class Association stage will once again feature everything you need to know about your favourite class, upcoming events and how to get involved. While over in Sailors’ Corner rub shoulders with some of your sailing’s heroes, take on the ‘Wattbike Challenge and test your knot tying skills at the Marlow Ropes’ pod.

Double Olympic silver medallist, Volvo Ocean Race winner and RYA Director of Racing, Ian Walker will also be returning to the Main Stage with a Tokyo 2020 update (Saturday 15:00, Sunday 15:15).

And in the Knowledge Zone, don’t miss rig tuning with Michael McNamara (11:00 both days) and top racing tips from ‘The Boat Whisperer’, Steve Cockerill (Sunday 15:00).

For younger visitors, the Treasure Hunt will keep them entertained as they navigate through the halls, collecting clues and treasure along the way. Or head to the Interactive Zone and experience the thrill of being out on the water without ever leaving dry land on the sailing simulators, trapeze rig and 360° ‘On the Water’ virtual reality sailing experience.

Are you ready?

Get ready for a fantastic day at the show with our top tips:

Buy your tickets in advance and save – Advance tickets start from £10 for RYA members and £12.50 for non-members. Weekend tickets start at £15. Advance ticket sales and RYA Member and group discounts are only available until midnight on Friday 01 March. Don’t leave it too late, get yours today!

Check out the official Show Guide – Available now! This year’s Show Guide is jam-packed with everything you need to know about the show. Browse the exhibitor listings and find out more about this year’s speakers.

Download the App – You can use the RYA Dinghy Show App to purchase your tickets, plan your journey, navigate your way around the show and discover all the latest news. Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store – download it today!

Stay connected - Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest show news. Get involved and tell us you’re attending on our Facebook event page and stay in touch in the lead up to the show using the official hashtags; #MyDinghyTribe and #DinghyShow.

Plan your travel in advance – Alexandra Palace is situated between Muswell Hill & Wood Green and served by all forms of public transport. It is easy to reach by underground, road, rail and air. Check the Dinghy Show website for further details.

See you there!

Whatever your ‘tribe’, there’s always something new to learn, experience and discover and there really is no better place than the RYA Dinghy Show. Whether it’s the latest kit you’re after, top tips from your favourite sailors to hone those skills on the water, or even to book your next family get away, we guarantee there will be something for everyone.

For all the latest news and information visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk or follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/ryadinghyshow or on twitter @dinghyshow.