RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025 announces speaker lineup

The 2025 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, taking place on 22-23 February 2025 at Farnborough International in southern England, will feature a range of guest speakers from the small boat sailing and watersports industries.

The event includes three stages: the Sunsail Main Stage, the Knowledge Zone and the Coaching Corner, offering expert discussions and practical demonstrations.

Eilidh McIntyre MBE, Lee Timothy, James Hardy and Peter Hart will return as show hosts. The Sunsail Main Stage will feature a session titled ‘High-fliers and history-makers’ at 11.30am on both days, with Olympic kite foiling gold medallist Ellie Aldridge MBE, America’s Cup and SailGP helm Dylan Fletcher MBE (Saturday only) and Women’s America’s Cup competitor Hannah Diamond. Fletcher and Emirates GBR SailGP Team data analyst Nick Robins (Sunday only) will also discuss the upcoming Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth at 3.30pm both days.

Additional talks include ‘Escaping the everyday’ at 12.15pm, with Roger Barnes and Sarah Jarman sharing cruising experiences, and ‘Foil around Britain’ with Steve Bowens at 3.45pm on Saturday and 10.30am on Sunday. Jenna Gibson, women’s windsurfing speed world record holder, will present ‘The fastest woman in the world’ at 2.15pm both days. Other sessions cover topics such as dinghy design evolution and para sailing.

The Knowledge Zone will offer practical workshops, including Mark Rushall’s ‘Countdown to success’ at 11am both days, Simon Rowell’s ‘Wind forecasting’ at 4.15pm on Saturday and 4.00pm on Sunday, and Peter Hart’s ‘Windsurfing gybing masterclass’ at 11.45am both days. Sessions will also explore data-driven performance analysis, the Portsmouth Yardstick scheme and sustainable solutions for end-of-life watersports equipment.

Coaching Corner will provide interactive sessions such as ‘Get fit for the season ahead’ with Holly Bassett at 11am both days and ‘Essential tips for paddleboarders’ at 12.30pm. James Hardy and Mia Adcock will present ‘Winging kit’ to discuss equipment setup. The ‘Female futures’ discussion at 1.15pm will explore strategies for encouraging more women and girls into sailing and watersports. Other talks cover coaching initiatives and wave sailing techniques.

The 2025 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show will feature over 170 exhibitors, new equipment displays and hands-on activities. Visitors can try sailing and winging simulators and a windsurfing VR experience, while there’s a treasure hunt for younger attendees with prizes available. Children aged 15 and under can attend for free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. RYA members are eligible for a complimentary ticket worth £21 for one or both days of the event.