First speakers revealed for RYA Dinghy Show 2018

Ian Walker © RYA

The RYA Dinghy Show presented by Suzuki, in association with Yachts and Yachting and Gill, is the only show in the world dedicated to dinghy sailing. Taking place at Alexandra Palace, London, over the weekend of 03-04 March, the 2018 theme is #dinghysailingforlife – celebrating a lifetime sport for all.

If adventure cruising is your thing then Leading Seaman Phil Slade (Royal Navy) and Mark Belamarich MBE (Ministry of Defence) will inspire you to start planning your next adventure. The pair achieved a world record for the 'Longest Distance Sailed in a Double Handed Dinghy' in 2016 by sailing 309.25 nautical miles from Plymouth to Portsmouth via France in their Boson 'sixteen'. And they didn't stop there! Hear what happened next at 11:15 on the Suzuki Main Stage both days.

Don't miss double Olympic silver medallist and Volvo Ocean Race winning Skipper Ian Walker, the RYA's new Director of Racing with his exclusive talk, 'My Life in Sailing'. From competing in the Sydney Olympic Games to sailing with his family and conquering the toughest ocean yacht race, Ian will share his sailing story on the Suzuki Main Stage at 13:45 Saturday and Sunday.

Sports nutritionist Nigel Mitchell who has worked with Team Sky and the British Sailing Team will explain how nutrition can enhance your performance on the water (14:30, Suzuki Main Stage, Saturday and Sunday). He'll be joined by Henrietta Dutton-Williamson, chef to the British Sailing Team who will be demonstrating live how to make healthy energy snacks which will help to keep you sailing all day.

Throughout the show, there's a huge range of advice available to help you to improve your sailing whatever your experience.

Over in the interactive Knowledge Zone, Paralympic gold medallist, Helena Lucas will be talking about how to get the perfect start (11:00 both days) whilst Rooster's Steve Cockerill will be sharing his top tips on steering to trim to help you sail faster on the race course (14:00 both days).

"We're really excited to be able to reveal our first speakers for the 2018 RYA Dinghy Show" said RYA Director of Sport Development, Alistair Dickson. "This year not only do we have a brand new line up of experts, but we also have two brand new stages: the Woman's Sailing Hub and the Class Association stage.

"The full line up is still being finalised but we can already confirm some really inspirational speakers with talks to suit everyone and there's plenty more to be announced! This year's show reflects the fact that sailing is a sport for a person's whole lifetime which often provides so many adventures and such variety".

Keep up to date with all the latest RYA Dinghy Show news and information by visiting the website and following us on Facebook and Twitter #dinghyshow

Beat the queues get your tickets

At the show you'll find all the latest gear from top sailing brands plus hundreds of dinghies from beginner boats to the latest in high performance design. There's also training centres, sailing clubs, class associations, boat builders, holiday companies as well as the interactive features and activities to inspire sailors of all ages.

Advance tickets are available at a special discount rate of £10.00 for RYA members and £12.50 for non-members. RYA affiliated clubs can also take advantage of a special ticket price of £10 when booking six tickets or more. Don't forget two children go free with each paying adult as well.

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