The biggest "Dinghy Show" ever?

The RYA Sailboat and Windsurf Show opens at the weekend, and heralds the start of a new season

The RYA Sailboat and Windsurf Show opens at the weekend - a definite sign that winter is on the way out and that a new sailing season is just around the corner.
There seems to have been more winter series and one-offs than ever, but the "Dinghy Show" is the signal for the more traditional dinghy sailor to start looking under the cover and getting to work, ready for the Easter start.

This is the Classes show and just about all of them will be there - from associations with hundreds of members to specialist classes with enthusiasts keeping the flame alive.

Last year the success of our Olympic dinghy sailors took the headlines and yes,they will be at the show, but the coming season will see many of those heroes tackling new competitions as they attempt to spread the Olympic success into the big-boat arena. New names will be starting out on the long road to the next Olympics and the show is where you can talk to the class members who will help you to get started as well.

Over the next few days we will be highlighting the different areas of the show and the programme of events and during the show we will be reporting on what's new, what's happening and whose doing what - check back for all the latest as it happens.

Rod Carr, RYA secretary general looks to the future at RYA Sailboat and Windsurf Show

This is my first show as the RYA's secretary general having handed the batten of managing the Association's sail racing interests on to John Derbyshire at the start of this year. Through the team's historic endeavours down under we are now the world's top Olympic sailing nation and the countries most successful sport at the Sydney games. This success is underpinned by everybody who takes in the sport, either as competitors or volunteers their time to help as officials on and off the water.

It is only at the Sailboat and Windsurf show we can see all the pieces of the jigsaw put together and celebrate the vibrant, colourful and healthy state of our sport. Particularly important for me is to see young new talent at the show getting inspired by meeting their Olympic role models first hand. And now with the backing of a successful company like Volvo Cars and the National Sports Lottery funds via Sport England, the RYA can deliver a first class start to our potential future Olympians in Athens and beyond.

Finally, if like me, you get a buzz when in the company of fellow sailing enthusiasts, then I'm sure we will all have a great day and play our part in making the 50th Show one to remember

Rod Carr
RYA secretary general