From competitions and launches, to workshops and the crowning of champions there’s plenty in store from the RYA at this years’ PSP Southampton Boat Show (11-20 September).
The week kicks off with Dee Caffari; the first woman to sail solo non-stop around the world in both directions, and Mike Golding; one of the world’s best offshore racing sailors announcing winners of The Green Blue’s photography competition, ‘The good, the bad and the funny’ (3pm on 11th Sept). Dee will then be officially opening the 2010 RYA Club of the Year awards, which recognises clubs that are successfully promoting the sport by being forward looking, and vibrant (3pm on 11th Sept).
On Saturday 12th at midday, multi title best-selling author Tim Bartlett will be giving a one-off sextant master class on the RYA stand to celebrate the launch of his latest book, RYA Astro Navigation. Tim will be available to answer your questions and sign copies of the book and you’ll also be able to purchase your own sextant on the RYA stand. If you buy one during the show you’ll get a copy of the new book for free.
It isn’t only Tim who will be launching a new book at the show. On Saturday 19th (12pm) triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie will launch his new autobiography ‘Close to the Wind’ and will be signing copies of the book on the RYA stand (EO39).
Roaring in to action on Sunday 13th Sept will be the 32 finalists of the 2009 Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship. Youngsters from across the country will be battling it out on the water in the hope of clinching the championship title (9am – 4pm off Solent Park). Crowning will take place on the Honda stand CO62 at 6pm.
The RYA and BMF’s environmental programme The Green Blue and RYA Sailability, also have lots to celebrate when they are joined by HRH Princess Anne to officially launch their new recycling scheme, helping to raise money for both programmes by recycling old mobile phones and printer cartridges.
The Green Blue will also be running free seminars where clubs, training centres and marine businesses can come and learn how to make cost savings whilst improving their environmental performance. The Green Blue’s marine toolkit seminars run on Tuesday 15th Sept in the Holiday Inn, 10.30am and 11.45am. (Pre book your place by emailing dan.reading@thegreenblue.org.uk or call 02380 604294).
And it doesn’t end there. With a number of competitions taking place throughout the week for new members, existing members and anyone who can tie a knot; there are plenty of prizes up for grabs from RYA vouchers and publications to Harken bags and Bolle sunglasses.
Visitors to the RYA stand on Saturday 19th (10am – 2pm) will also be able to watch live streaming of the medal races from this year’s Sail for Gold regatta down in Weymouth.
Throughout the show RYA members can claim a 20% discount on all publications and as usual there will be members of RYA staff on hand to answer any questions you may have from getting started to finding the right training course for you. We look forward to seeing you there.