RYA Dinghy Show - A whole host of events from the RYA

by RYA on 23 Feb 2014 At this year's RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show, in association with Yachts and Yachting, alongside the hundreds of exhibitors, boats, kit, talks and presentations taking place, the RYA has a whole host of events taking place throughout the weekend (01-02 March).

Under the roof of the magnificent Alexandra Palace, London, the RYA will be showcasing new initiatives, offering fantastic competition prizes, as well as answering your questions and sharing a wealth of knowledge and information.

Back by popular demand
Back by popular demand are Start Sailing and the Club Clinics. If you’re just getting into dinghy sailing then the Start Sailing area should be the first stop on your visit to the show. Here you’ll be able to chat to our experts about the best boats to learn in, what to wear, where to find a course and much more.

As well as getting all the vital information you’ll also have an opportunity to win an amazing bumper prize package which includes loads of kit and gear and even your very own dinghy! Just answer the simple sailing related question and you could be a winner. Find out more at website and visit what’s on / prizes.

If your club is looking for advice on legal issues, tips on increasing club membership or perhaps more knowledge about club racing then once again the RYA Club Clinics, supported by Gallagher Heath offer one-two-one sessions with leading RYA experts, providing the perfect opportunity to discuss the issues facing your club.

Taking place in the Panorama Hall the 30 minute sessions will run throughout the weekend on a number of different topics:

• Legal advice with RYA Legal Advisor, Mandy Peters or RYA Legal Manager, Gus Lewis
• Technical advice; from Portsmouth Yardstick to equipment rules guidance with RYA Technical Co-ordinator, Andy Wibroe
• Club development, increasing membership and participation with one of the RYA’s Regional Development Officers
• RYA Training: with Amanda Van Santen, Chief Instructor, Dinghy and Windsurfing
• How to make disability plain sailing with Debbie Blachford, Sailability Manager

Alongside the RYA Club Clinics, on Saturday clubs can sign up to the RYA Clubs Briefing with members of RYA staff providing information and updates on a range of topics including, Push the Boat Out, racing services, changes to the Youth and Adult training schemes, and inclusivity at your club to help make the 2014 season a success.

On Saturday and Sunday Mandy Peters from the RYA Legal team will be running an CASC Update (community amateur sports clubs) to advise on the legislation changes and to answer any questions. While on Sunday clubs who missed out on any of the RYA Club Workshops: Plan, Resource, Promote; held across the country over the winter months, there is another opportunity to catch up on all that you missed. For more information and to book your place at any of the club events visit website

ilovesailing is back
On Saturday we will be officially launching the ilovesailing 2014 calendar competition with the help of British Sailing Team sailors’ Ed Powys and Megan Pascoe. Take part in this fun Facebook competition and your favourite sailing photo could take pride of place on the 2015 ilovesailing calendar and you could win yourself one of our much coveted ilovesailing rubber ducks. Visit website to find out more.

Then on Sunday (13.45, Main Stage) we will be presenting special JMST Awards (John Merricks Sailing Trust) to the young sailors and windsurfers who were chosen to receive the first wave of boards and boats from JMST as part of a new joint initiative with the RYA OnBoard scheme.

After which we will be unveiling the first ever winners of the new RYA Regional Youth Champions awards, recognising the outstanding achievements and performance of young people in sailing, windsurfing and powerboating.

New for 2014
New for 2014 we see an RYA presence at various stands around the show. Why not pop along to the RYA Sailability Stand (F40) to find out more about making sailing accessible for all. Sailability will also be having a couple of special visitors to the stand on Saturday, British Sailing Team sailors, Paralympic bronze medalist Alexandra Rickham (13.30) and 2.4mR sailor Megan Pascoe (12.30).

Over on stand E33 The Green Blue will be focusing on energy. Join them on the stand and try out their PedGens that generate electricity from pedal power. Have a go and see how much energy you can generate in 60 seconds! British Sailing Team sailors Dylan Fletcher and Chloe Martin will be having a ‘Pedal Off’ at 14.00 on Saturday, while Dave Evans and Ed Powys give it a go at 14.30. Why not pop along to the stand and cheer them on?

Meanwhile on stand F42 the RYA Publications team will be helping you to build confidence through knowledge. Showcasing a selection of 28 eBook titles including new dinghy related titles - RYA Laser Handbook, RYA Racing Rules Explained and the updated Racing Rules and Cases – Rules engine. Staff will be demonstrating all the additional features of eBooks and how they make excellent teaching aids for instructors, as well as explaining the benefits of purchasing your eBooks via the RYA shop.

Pick up the special voucher code at the show and you can enjoy 20% discount on your eBook purchases through the RYA shop website and as part of a special show promotion, purchase one eBook and we’ll give you another for free. Visit the stand for more details.

You will find a small selection of RYA Publications available to purchase at the show and if you’re an RYA member you can enjoy a 20% discount on all printed products. Don’t worry if we don’t have the book you’re looking for on the day, we will also have a system in place for you to buy online and you’ll still get your 20% discount and postage will be free; just ask the publications desk for the online voucher code.

Find out about Special Guest Membership
We also have some great membership offers available during the show. Visitors can sign up to our Special Guest Membership allowing you to trial a selection of RYA member benefits and rewards for free for three months. After three months we will give you the opportunity to sign up as full member and continue to take advantage of everything RYA membership has to offer.

You can also sign up as new full member (all membership types) or renew your membership and receive 15 months membership for the prize of 12. Visit the friendly membership team in the Panorama Hall to find out more.
What are you waiting for? Get your ticket today.

For ticket details, club discounts and loads more information visit the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show website or check out the RYA Dinghy Show Facebook page website or follow us on twitter #dinghyshow and you could win yourself a pair of tickets to the 2014 show!