2024 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

Featuring dinghy sailing, windsurfing, wingsurfing, foiling and paddleboarding, however you like to get afloat, we’ve got you covered. Join us for interactive family fun, watersports displays and demos, live coaching sessions, hundreds of boats and the biggest names in marine retail all under one roof.

Packed with talks and expert coaching sessions across the three main stages, there’s also plenty of interactive features for you and your family to enjoy. Sailing and watersports can lead to a life-long passion and at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, there’s something to inspire everyone.

Whatever your age or skillset, our experts are on hand to help you explore new sports and equip you for the water.

Whether you’re looking to try something new or dreaming of your children becoming life-long sailing or windsurfing enthusiasts, kickstart your on-water adventures at the show.

Model boat pool

Bring out your competitive side and race the model boats against your friends at the activity pool! Back by popular demand, you can challenge your friends to a race round the course using the remote-controlled dinghies. Who knows, you could end up racing an Olympic sailor…

Try the trapeze rig and wing and sailing simulators

Don’t miss out on perfecting your trapeze skills. Get a taste of the water by practicing your tacks as you move across the rig and instructors guide you through.

Try windsurfing, winging, or race against a friend on the dinghy simulator, at the Interactive Zone.

On the Water 360 virtual reality, supported by RYA SafeTrx

Head over to the interactive zone for a sea of virtual reality and discover the RYA SafeTrx app.

Pop on the VR goggles and experience the thrill of foiling, dinghy sailing and windsurfing. Discover how SafeTrx takes the search out of search and rescue.

RYA stand

Want to start sailing, foiling, or wingfoiling? Head straight for the RYA stand where you’ll find everything you need to know from courses and kit to boats, boards, and clubs. You can also speak to our friendly experts about the opportunities available to you locally.

Boat repair workshops

Come along to the boat repair workshops. There’ll be demonstrations on basic boat repair techniques and Pete Vincent talks about GRP boat repairing for the novice, including hints on general maintenance and how to avoid unnecessary repairs. Pete will be on hand all weekend for expert advice on all aspects of boat repairs.

Interactive Zone and Treasure Hunt

Find colouring competitions, name the parts of the boats and more in the kid’s area or explore the show on a treasure hunt looking out for marine wildlife!

Collect your treasure map on arrival and navigate around the hall collecting clues, stickers, and treasure along the way. Collect 10 or more and enter the exclusive prize draw held at the end of the day on the Main Stage. This year you could be in with chance to win, a Rockley 5 day youth residential week, worth £550.

Food and drink

Break up your day with a tasty treat or beverage from The Rockley Clubhouse and concessions around the show. This year you can choose from our fish & chip bus, Greek bakery, coffee & doughnut stall, and much more.

About the RYA Dinghy Show & Watersports Show

• The RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show aims to encourage participation in dinghy sailing, windsurfing and other associated watersports by inspiring and enthusing members and visitors through an engaging programme of talks, show features and coaching sessions as well as interaction with industry experts.
• Organised by the RYA, the Show provides a national platform for affiliated sailing clubs and class associations as well as commercial exhibitors such as holiday companies, chandleries, clothing and marine retailers to interact with current and potential members and customers.
• The first show, called “The Build your Own Dinghy Exhibition and Conference”, took place in 1952 at the College of Physical Education, Baker Street, London. In 1953 the show moved to County Hall, then in 1965 moved to Crystal Palace, and changed its name to “The London Dinghy Exhibition” gaining the active backing of the RYA, before coming under full RYA control in 1983
• From 1996 to 2004 the show was known as the Sailboat and Windsurf Show. In 2004 the show title changed to the RYA Dinghy Sailing Show, to reflect the show’s focus on dinghies and is today known as the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show.

About the RYA

• The RYA is the national governing body for dinghy, motor and sail cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sportsboats, windsurfing, personal watercraft, and a leading representative body for inland waterways cruising.
• We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity, and encouragement to enjoy being on the water and to do so in a safe environment.
• The RYA has more than 100,000 personal members and 1,500 affiliated clubs and classes. Around 300,000 people are members of sailing clubs in the UK.
• We also set and maintain an international standard for recreational boat training through a network of RYA-recognised training centres, world-class courses and educational material. Each year around 270,000 people worldwide take an RYA training course.
• We are responsible for one of the UK’s most successful Olympic medal-winning sports. Our coaching and development schemes actively support our country’s top sailors, from talented juniors to Olympic and World Champions.
• For more information please visit www.rya.org.uk