London Boat Show - What’s in store from the RYA?

by Emma Slater on 3 Dec 2014 At the 2015 CWM FX London Boat Show the RYA will once again be bringing a whole host of activities and launches; information and advice .

'The RYA has loads in store at the show', commented RYA London Boat Show Manager, Guy Malpas. 'We have some great activities lined up on the RYA stand including a RIB simulator, knot wall challenge and visitors will have the chance to come face to face with some ‘alien species’! We also have a wealth of information to share, from environmental issues and boating knowledge, to digital offerings and safety advice. Make sure you come along to the stand, D016, and find out more.'

What’s on when?
The extremely popular RYA Active Marina Experience once again makes a welcome return to the show. In partnership with Which Marina? the RYA Active Marina Experience workshops give visitors the opportunity to refresh their boating knowledge and gain top tips from expert instructors.

Running throughout the week, on the Which Marina? stand, A010, these free, daily shorebased sessions provide real hands on experience, with sessions ranging from diesel engine basics to sea survival (including lifejacket inflation). Places are very limited, so it is highly recommended you book your session in advance.

For a full schedule of workshops and to book your place on-line visit RYA website, alternatively you can book by visiting Which Marina? stand A010, on arrival at the show.

As a special show bonus Navionics are offering the first 50 people who pre-book and attend a shorebased workshop through Which Marina? a free award winning Navionics Chart Plotter iphone App, while City Sailing, who will be hosting the sessions will be giving away an Emergency First Aid Kit at the Show at every presentation.

Building on the success of the first ever RYA Digital Day at the PSP Southampton Boat Show, ‘Digital Day’ will be coming to the London show on Monday 12 January, RYA Stand (D016). Want to find out how RYA eBooks make an invaluable teaching aid for instructors? Thinking about delivering or taking an online training course but want to know more? Or do you simply want to find more about the latest technology the RYA uses to improve training courses, knowledge distribution and its publications, then drop by the stand to find out more.

'Visitors at Southampton showed us that people are aware of the digital technology available from the RYA; such as eBooks, eLearning programmes and ePacks; digital Training Almanacs, the new electronic training chart plotter and the SafeTrx app but wanted to get more information and ask questions before introducing new digital elements into their training. With that in mind, our team of RYA experts will once again be on hand to talk about all things digital, answer visitor questions and chat about ideas for future digital developments', commented Steen Ingerslev, RYA Publications Manager.

'Whether you’re an instructor, student, racer or cruiser we are inviting everyone to pop along to the stand on Digital Day to see how the RYA is using technology to support you and the boating you do', added Craig Burton, RYA Training Resources Manager.

Then on Wednesday 14 January we will be joined on the stand by RYA President, HRH The Princess Royal to unveil the winner of the RYA Yachtmaster™ of the Year Award.

On the RYA stand
The RYA will also be releasing the latest edition of the RYA Safety Advisory Notice. First launched at the 2014 show, the latest edition focuses on six key topics; personal location devices, communication, lifejackets and lifejacket servicing; grounding and running aground, weather forecasts and planning. Pick up a copy from the RYA stand for the all the latest information and advice.

Visitors to the stand will also be able to check out The Green Blue’s interactive pollution and invasive species demo. Did you know the one litre of oil can pollute a million litres of water and do you know what could be hitching a ride on your vessel? Find out how to reduce those unwanted oil and fuel spills and see invasive species up close that might be found hidden under the water on your anchor, propeller and hull.

Jane Swan, Project Manager of The Green Blue commented: 'The London Boat Show is a great opportunity for us to remind boaters how important it is to look after the marine environment and we hope they find our practical gadgets and display of invasive species specimens both interesting and unusual!'

If you fancy something even more hands on then why not test your RIB driving skills in the ‘Powerboat Challenge’? Using your skill and speed see how fast you can race around the virtual course on the RIB simulator, supplied by Maritime Simulation. With Junior, Standard and Advanced levels, challenge friends and family to see who can top the leader board. Daily prizes will be awarded to the racers with the fastest times.

You can also test your knot tying skills at the ‘Knot Wall’. Bowline or figure eight, sheet bend or clove hitch have a go at mastering the different knots on display.

Chat with the experts
The show is also the perfect place to chat with many of the RYA’s experts. Over the course of the show we will joined by one of the RYA’s Regional Development Officers and experts from our Cruising, Legal and Government Affairs, Training and Membership teams who will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the boating you do, from getting started to sailing around the world.

It’s also the perfect time to join or renew your membership and support the RYA in its work protecting the rights of recreational boaters and take advantage of all the great benefits RYA membership provides. If you’re already an RYA member then why not take advantage of the RYA Refer a Friend scheme and share the benefits of membership with your friends and family and receive a special referral gift for yourself. Find out more on the stand or in the RYA members lounge.

RYA members also enjoy a special show discount of 20% on all publications purchased during the show. If you want to purchase one of the many RYA eBooks now available pick up your discount code from the stand.

And remember, as an RYA member if you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the show members can relax in the exclusive RYA Members Lounge situated in the Platinum Suite, serving food and beverages throughout the day. A self-service cloakroom is also available to members in the lounge.

RYA member’s ticket offer
As an RYA member you can enjoy all this and all that the CWM FX London Boat Show has to offer for just £12.00 with the specially negotiated RYA member’s ticket offer.

For more information and details on how to take advantage of this great offer visit RYA website.

About the show
The 2015 CWM FX London Boat Show takes place at ExCeL London from 09-18 January 2015. This world-renowned event is where adventure starts, pioneers meet and innovation shines. Visitors can explore a world of boating, including the very latest in technology and show-stopping experiences that will really capture your imagination.

For more information about the CWM FX London Boat Show visit Event website.