RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show adds golden touch with new star host

Olympic sailing star Eilidh McIntyre MBE will join the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show hosting line-up for the 2024 editi © RYA

Olympic gold medallist joins Show team for 2024

The RYA's must-see sailing and watersports event will return to Farnborough International from 24-25 February 2024 - and this year welcomes a new face to the presenting team.

Olympic sailing star Eilidh McIntyre MBE will join the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show hosting line-up for the 2024 edition, which kick-starts the season with interactive family fun, demos, live coaching sessions and the biggest names in marine retail all under one roof.

In 2023 the Show welcomed 8,500 visitors, 160 exhibitors, and hundreds of boats and boards with some 74 expert talks and presentations also taking place over the two-day event. Visitors flocked from all over the UK as well as Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Singapore, Hong Kong and USA.

Featuring dinghy sailing, windsurfing, wingsurfing, foiling, kitesurfing and paddleboarding, however you like to get afloat, the Show will have you covered.

And with two of the sport's biggest global events set to inspire in 2024, the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Eilidh is perfectly placed to shine a spotlight on the journey from grassroots to glory, share behind the scenes stories and help inspire you in your own watersports ambitions.

Inspiring year ahead

"Next year is major for sailing, with the Paris 2024 Olympics coming up, and the America's Cup happening in Barcelona - including the first ever Women's America's Cup," explained Eilidh, who has also sailed as part of the Athena Pathway project campaigning for Great Britain in the Youth and Women's America's Cups and which is spearheaded by her former double gold medal-winning teammate Hannah Mills OBE.

"It's going to be an incredible year for the sport and this Dinghy & Watersports Show is the one to come to."

Eilidh will team up with regular presenter and Instructor Lee Timothy, plus RYA Instructor Trainer and Pathway Coach James Hardy and windsurfing legend Peter Hart to bring you all the expert sessions, advice and talks across the Show's three stages.

"Whether you're an experienced sailor, you've been a lifelong sailor, or you're brand new to watersports, the Show is the perfect place. You'll meet loads of incredible people as well as potentially lifelong friends," Eilidh continued.

"Get it in the diaries - the 24-25 February 2024 at Farnborough International. We cannot wait to see you there!"

With big name industry experts on hand and everything you need to know from courses and kit to boats, boards, clubs and training centres, join us at the Show and make 2024 the year that inspires your next sailing steps.

Tickets go on sale from Thursday 9 November 2023, so look out for booking details on the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show website.

Want to exhibit?

Very limited stand space remains available so if you're interested in exhibiting at the Show visit here for the latest exhibitor information. Discounted rates can be accessed by RYA Affiliated Clubs and Class Associations.