Rub shoulders with some of the best dinghy sailors

Nick Thompson will be at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show © Richard Langdon / Skandia Team GBR

Alongside the hundreds of exhibitors at this year’s RYA Volvo Dinghy Show 2010 who will be showcasing some of the very latest boats, kit and gear; some of dinghy sailings top sailors will also be at the show sharing top tips, giving advice and mingling with visitors, answering questions.

To kick start the day Skandia Team GBR’s Laser 2009 ISAF World Cup Champion, Nick Thompson and team mate, Beijing Olympic windsurfing bronze medallist Bryony Shaw will join new RYA CEO Sarah Treseder to open the show, the only show in the world dedicated to the dinghy sailor and all things dinghy.

Thompson will then be popping over to the Volvo Main Stage (12.15 both days), where he will be sharing his tips and techniques for up-wind sailing, whilst Shaw will be joining John Morgan in the coaching area (Panorama Hall, 11.00) to talk about ‘High wind windsurfing’, before dashing over to launch National Windsurfing Week 2010 (stand C102 at 13.15, Saturday 06) and do some signings.

Back over in the Panorama Hall (11.45, Saturday 06) Skandia Team GBR sailors, Penny Clark, Nick Thompson and Bryony Shaw and Tokyo games silver medallist Keith Musto will be launching the exciting new Skandia Team GBR ‘Support Crew’; an online community that encourages supporters to not only get behind the team, but also gets up close and personal with them and find out what really makes them tick (www.skandiateamgbr.com/supportcrew).

Skandia Team GBR’s, 470 sailor, Penny Clark who recently switched from single to double handed sailing after the Beijing Olympics will be running a Communication and roles session in the Coaching area (Panorama Hall, 13.30, Saturday 06) talking visitors through who does what in the boat. On Sunday it will be the turn of fellow Skandia Team GBR sailors and 2009 470 World Championship silver medallists Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell who will be sharing their top tips for successful communication and role responsibility afloat. Patience and Bithell picked up their silver medals after just a few days of sailing together!

Clark and Shaw will also appear, in image form, in the fantastic photographic exhibition on display at the show’s West Corridor. Titled ‘Blown Away’, the exhibition by renowned photographer Robert Wilson features some of Skandia Team GBR’s top sailors including Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy and Paul Goodison, in action in Weymouth and Portland.

The RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, in association with Yachts & Yachting and Suzuki, is a great day out for all the family, young or old, sailing novice or seasoned pro. To find out more and to order your tickets visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 811 0409.

Tickets cost just £11.00 for adults / £9.00 for RYA members, if you book in advance. £5.00 for children (5-16 years), free on Sunday, with children who are RYA members going free of charge all weekend.

Tickets can also be purchased on the door for £13.00 adult and £6.50 child.

All visitors to the show can also pick up their FREE show guide and FREE sailing season wall planner.