Some of Britain’s hottest on-water talents are set to join tactical and technical experts and inspiring adventurers at this year’s RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show (22-23 February 2025) as the first guest speakers are revealed.
Paris 2024 kite foiling gold medallist Ellie Aldridge MBE, America’s Cup and SailGP helm Dylan Fletcher MBE (pictured), Women’s America’s Cup star Hannah Diamond plus world record-breaking windsurfer Jenna Gibson are all set to appear at the season-opening showcase at Farnborough International.
The talks, coaching sessions and practical demonstrations, shared by some of the biggest and best-loved names in the small boat and boardsports worlds, are among the most popular features of the show. Coupled with over 170 exhibitors showcasing new boats, cutting-edge tech and the latest in clothing, equipment, holidays and courses, you’ll find all the advice, inspiration and know-how you need to kick-start your season and help you make the most of your time on the water.
Returning show hosts Eilidh McIntyre MBE, Lee Timothy, James Hardy and Peter Hart will be on hand to guide you through the packed programme across the Sunsail Main Stage, the Knowledge Zone and the Coaching Corner.
Whether you’re a fan of dinghy racing, cruising, windsurfing, foiling, winging or paddleboarding, the show offers something for you.
Superstar sailors
2024 provided plenty of inspiration through the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the booming SailGP circuit and trailblazing British campaigns in the first ever Puig Women’s America’s Cup, the 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup and Unicredit Youth America’s Cup.
The ‘High-fliers and history-makers’ talk (Sunsail Main Stage, 11.30am both days) will feature Aldridge, Fletcher (Saturday only) and Diamond as they recount their respective history-making feats in Marseille and Barcelona last summer, while Fletcher – as the new Emirates GBR SailGP Team driver – will also look ahead to an adrenaline-packed SailGP showdown on home waters in Portsmouth this summer.
Stevie Morrison – Aldridge’s Olympic coach as well as Athena Pathway coach last summer – and Athena Pathway Youth Helm and Emirates GBR SailGP Team Data Analyst Nick Robins (Sunday only) will also join to share their experiences through a coaching and performance lens.
Four-time slalom windsurfing World Champion Gibson will share what it takes to be the fastest female windsurfer in history (Sunsail Main Stage, 2.15pm both days). She smashed the female windsurfing world speed record six times during the Luderitz Speed Challenge competition in Namibia in December 2024. She now holds the 500m speed record with a blistering pace of 48.03kts, becoming the first woman to break the 50kt barrier for peak speed.
Tactical and technique tips
Whether you’re looking to boost your boardsports skills or refine your racing, the show has a range of talks and workshops to help you on your way.
Tactics guru Mark Rushall’s ‘Countdown to success’ session (Knowledge Zone, 11am both days) will help set you up with some winning startline strategies and key tips for those all-important early race decisions, while British Sailing Team meteorologist Simon Rowell‘s ‘Wind forecasting’ talk (Knowledge Zone, 4.15pm Saturday, 4.00pm Sunday) will help you dig into the forecast and work out how to harness the breeze to your tactical advantage.
With a wealth of onboard tech available for pro sailors and weekend warriors alike, Tom Morris (aka Mozzy Sails) and special guests Dylan Fletcher (Saturday) and Nick Robins (Sunday) will help you get the best out of your time on the water and avoid the data rabbit holes in ‘Data is King’ (Knowledge Zone, 2.45pm both days).
No matter your windsurfing level, Peter Hart’s ‘Gybing masterclass’ (Knowledge Zone, 11.45am both days) will be relevant to you, while James Hardy and Mia Adcock’s ‘Winging it’ (Knowledge Zone, 12.30pm both days) will explore common themes to progress every aspect of your wingfoiling. The duo will also talk all things winging equipment in their ‘Winging kit’ session (Coaching Corner, 2.15pm both days) and the kit package to get you up and flying.
If sailing for you is more about the journey, then returning show favourite and dinghy cruising doyen Roger Barnes will be joined by Sarah Jarman to share cruising tales and help get you started in your own cruising adventure (Escaping the everyday, Sunsail Main Stage, 12.15pm both days).
Para sailors Toby Owen and Anthony Williams and coach Becky Ellis will also take a look back at their past year in the RS Venture Connect, including competing at a home World Championships, and will explore the varied on-water world for sailors with disabilities (MoreThanSailing, Sunsail Main Stage, 3pm both days).
The full schedule of talks will be published on the show website from the beginning of February.
Get tickets now
Tickets are on sale now so don’t miss out!
RYA Members can access a complimentary ticket worth £21 for one or both days of the event, while kids under 15 years go free!
Book your tickets today at dinghyshow.org.uk and follow on socials @RYADinghyShow
If you’re planning on making a weekend of it, then RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show partner HotelPlanner can offer great rates on accommodation for the show weekend. Visit therya.hotelplanner.com and book today.
