UK RYA Dinghy Show more popular than ever
by RYA on 6 Mar 2006
dinghyshow Royal Yachting Association
http://www.rya.org.uk
Although the final figures have yet to be released, organisers of the RYA Dinghy Sailing Show, held in conjunction with Yachts and Yachting at Alexandra Palace over the 4 and 5 March, have already confirmed a nine percent increase in visitors at this year’s event, signalling a steady rise in attendance and interest in sailing.
The show, which is the only dinghy show in the world, has been the setting for the launch of the RYA Youth Awareness Campaign. Launched on Sunday 5th March, children from the show took part in an attempt to see how many could get ‘OnBoard’ a dinghy. The children were joined by 2012 Olympic hopefuls Gemma Farrell and Rachel Larman, members of Skandia Team GBR.
OnBoard, sponsored by Henri Lloyd and Sunsail, is just one of the RYA’s new sailing and windsurfing programmes to attract a new generation of children into boating. The campaign almost got off to a quite literal start when a pregnant visitor at the show went into labour!
Olympic Silver Medallist Joe Glanfield was present to sign copies of his book Crew to Win, which was launched at the show. Joe was also on hand to present a series of talks on race communications.
Treasure hunt winner, Elinor Brooker, aged 10, was so impressed with her first visit to the RYA Dinghy Sailing Show that she’s decided to start sailing in April.
Jenny Curry, RYA Dinghy Sailing Show Manager said: 'It’s been a great show. The visitors seemed to enjoy all the different elements including the treasure hunt, model boats and the Holt Blow Boat Challenge and the exhibitors are extremely happy. It’s so nice to see many children and families interested in finding out what sailing is all about.'
Andy Goddard, Managing Director Andark Diving and Watersports, added: 'We love the Dinghy Sailing Show. As an interactive show rather than an exhibition it means that kids learn so much about sailing. As a family friendly show we see all ages, we have even seen grandparents bringing their grandchild to the show to buy their first wetsuit.'
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