Speakers announced for RYA Dinghy Show 2020

The schedule of speakers for the RYA Dinghy Show 2020 has been announced. The show, in association with Yachts & Yachting, returns to Alexandra Palace, London, over the weekend of 29 February- 01 March. 

The 2020 show theme is ‘a world of opportunity- see where dinghy sailing can take you.’ As well as over 170 exhibitors showcasing everything you need to get out on the water, the show will feature a brand new line up of talks and coaching sessions from world-class experts.

Double Olympic Gold Medallist Sarah Ayton (OBE) will be joining forces with the British Sailing Team’s Sam Whaley and Olympic sailor Annie Lush to host expert speakers across the Great Hall Stage, West Hall Stage and the Knowledge Zone.

The line-up across the various stages and platforms is as follows:

Great Hall Stage

If adventure cruising is your thing then you won’t want to miss record breaking adventure sailors Rich and Will who will be sharing their story of their non-stop British circumnavigation in their Wayfarer Nipegegi at 12.30. 

Members of the British Sailing Team, who’ll be taking on the world at this summer’s Games in Tokyo, take to the stage at 11.45 and we also hear how environmental campaigns from The Green Blue, The Big Plastic Pledge and the Final Straw are protecting the waters we sail at 14.15.

West Hall Stage

Over in the West Hall, Neil Peters’ alter ego Stick Daring, shares his incredible tale of sailing the wrong way around Britain in his 13ft Laser Dinghy at 15.00 and, for our youth and junior sailors, Jonny McGovern uses a 420 dinghy to demonstrate how to get more speed out of your double-handed boat at 13.00.

Knowledge Zone

Over in the Knowledge Zone don’t miss Olympic Silver Medallist Luke Patience who will be joined by British Sailing Team’s Eilidh McIntyre to share expertise on how to communicate in the boat when the pressure is on at 16.00 Saturday only. 

All ages are welcome to join Alex Hopson, trainer to the British Sailing Team, for a fitness session which will get you race ready at 13.00. We also welcome the return of dinghy show favourite, Meteorologist Simon Rowell, who will be sharing his top tips on how to get a good forecast and apply it to your sailing whether you’re a racer or a cruiser.

 As well as the three stages you can also rub shoulders with the British Sailing Team athletes and other sailing champions in ‘Sailors Corner’ located in the Great Hall.

The show is family friendly and visitors of all will be able to enjoy show favourites including the activity pool, virtual reality sailing experience, sailing simulators, trapeze rig and the famous RYA Dinghy Show Treasure Hunt.  

Get your tickets

Four children go free with each paying adult. Once again this year there is a ‘weekend ticket’ for anyone wishing to return for a second day of action. Advance tickets are available at a special discount rate of £10.00 for RYA members and £12.50 for non-members. RYA clubs and large groups can also take advantage of a special discount price of £10.00 when booking six tickets or more. Discounted weekend tickets are available at £15.00 for RYA members and £18.75 for non-members.

You can buy tickets here or by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 858 9069.

For all the latest news and information visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk.