Find a Class of your own with over 60 Class Associations at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show

With a world of on water possibilities to explore, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show presented by Suzuki (25-26 February 2023) will see some 66 Class Associations on hand ready to inspire and encourage sailors of all ages at Farnborough International.

Whether you like to sail solo or with a crew, are into technical tinkering or more one-design dinghies, or you prefer stretching your hiking legs to your trapezing tiptoes, our exhibiting Class Associations can help you find the right sailing scene for you and your family, share top tips and the training and event opportunities that await during 2023.

What’s on from the Class Associations

On the IOCA stand (K16), renowned Optimist Class coach James Parker Mowbray will be giving a rigging guide from 11:00-12:00 (both days) while Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist Eilidh McIntyre will be stopping by to greet young fans and families from 13:30-14:00 (Saturday only).

British Sailing Team ILCA 7 athlete and world number three Sam Whaley will be on the ITCA stand (H12) at 14:00 on Sunday presenting prizes for the Topper Traveller Series as well as for ITCA competitions running during the Show, and for all your ILCA questions you can see Sam and co-presenter Hannah Snellgrove’s ‘Sail faster in your ILCA’ talk from 11:45-12:30 in the Knowledge Zone on both days.  UKLA will also be on hand on stand J30 to provide any ILCA rigging help you need and answer any questions you have about the Class.

The Osprey Class Association is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, so pop along to stand G22 to join in the celebrations and pick up an anniversary t-shirt for £15.  A 70-year history magazine will also be available at the Show.  This year also heralds the 45th anniversary of the UK’s most versatile small catamaran and a very welcome return to an old familiar name – Dart 15 – which will officially be launched at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show.  Pop along to the Dart 15 Association stand C34 at 14:30 on Saturday to join in the birthday festivities.

The Streaker Class Association (B26) will be featuring two brand new boats from licensed builders Hartley Boats and Butler Boats, and will also be running a prize draw on both days of the Show where you can win a £100 voucher to spend at Hartley Boats Chandlery. Be sure to enter the draw on the Streaker stand before 4.00pm to be in with a chance of winning!

The Lark Class Association will have on display its new Synergy Lark on stand F09, and the GP14 Class Association (A18) will be launching its new GP14 Allrounder dedicated to the General Purpose Market.

The Cadet Class Association (J20) is laying down the gauntlet with its ‘Spinnaker Challenge’, to see who can post the fastest time for a spinnaker hoist, set, gybe and drop on its simulator, while the National Squib Owners Association invites you to view inside a Squib on stand D21.

A Class Act

Tom Gillard is a master across the dinghy Classes and has been winning championships for years, but 2022 was his most spectacular season yet.  He competed in 25 events across five different Classes - winning 23 of them and finishing runner-up in the other two.He loves the diversity of sailing on offer across the UK dinghy scene, and one of the things that really stands out is his ability to win in a range of boats, from hiking single-handers such as the Solo and Streaker, to the hiking double-handers of Merlin Rockets, Scorpions and Fireballs.

You can read more about Tom’s stellar season in the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show Guide, available online now, and catch up with him and his Championship-winning crew Rachael Gray at the Show, where they’ll be sharing the secrets of their success in ‘The Winning Streak’ at 13:15 on both days in the Knowledge Zone.

Show tickets are on sale now, and RYA Members can access a complimentary ticket worth £21 for one or both days of the event, while kids aged 15 and under go free!