Attendance up

RYA report on last weekend's Dinghy Sailing Show

The RYA is pleased to announce that visitor attendance at the RYA Dinghy Sailing Show, held on the 5 and 6 March, increased by 3% on last year's figures. The winning combination of clubs, classes, commercial exhibitors, live events, coaching clinics and activities attracted 10,793 visitors, signalling a steady rise in attendance.

Jenny Curry, RYA Show Manager said, "this year was fantastic, we’ve had nothing but positive feedback. The Show is widely known as the only place to kick off the season and its friendly atmosphere makes it a fun and relaxed day out for anyone interested in dinghy sailing. You can meet with real enthusiasts and chat to people who actually sail the dinghies before you decide which one to buy or which course to take - it really is a must."

Martin Wadhams of LCD Racing Sailboats commented: ‘it was very good for us - a record breaker I think. We were absolutely flat out on Saturday, and Sunday was steady with some ‘good quality’ people around."

John Smalley, Chairman of the Topper Class Association, commented, "thanks for organising the treasure hunt…we were delighted to be involved in it and found the extra contacts and increased opportunities to talk to children and their parents very useful. Loads of people should know about boats with top hats on their sails now!! A brilliant idea. Well done!"

Brian Turgoose from the Welsh Harp Sailing Association said: "We got four clubs to work together to enable us to take one stand at the Show under the Welsh Harp banner. By uniting our local clubs it allowed us to exhibit at the Show, promoting our area and getting together with everyone involved in the dinghy sailing scene. We spoke to lots of people and hope, as a result to have signed up some new members. This is a fantastic opportunity for us and we will definitely return next year."

Organised by the RYA, in association with the Daily Telegraph and Yachts and Yachting, the Dinghy Sailing Show is the perfect way to kick off the season and will be held at Alexandra Palace on the 4 and 5 March 2006.