Protecting where you get afloat is always a priority for watersports enthusiasts. That’s why across this year’s RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, supported by Sunsail (24–25 February at Farnborough International) you’ll be able to pick up tips on how to make your time on the water as sustainable as possible.
From advice on how to lower your environmental impact, to discovering more sustainable product alternatives and improving the green credentials of your club house, at this year’s Show there is environmental advice available for every step of your sailing journey.
Make your Green Blue Boating Pledge
Whilst at the Show, pop by The Green Blue, on the RYA stand (B10) and make your Green Blue Boating Pledge. By making the Pledge you are showing your commitment to Protect, Respect and Enjoy the environment whilst getting afloat. All new pledgers over the weekend will also be entered into a prize draw to win a pair of Waterhaul sunglasses made from recycled fishing net gear.
The Green Blue will be able to provide you with tips and advice on how to lower your environmental impact whilst on the water and at your club venue too.
In the RYA Interactive Zone, you can test your engineering skills by building a mini-Advanced eco-Mooring System (AMS) and by guessing the weight strength of a life size AMS – guess correctly and you could be in with a chance of winning a prize! Plus, take a dry dive down to a UK seagrass meadow with the help of VR headsets.
Get electric
Learn more about the benefits of going electric with the RYA’s Official Innovation Partner, ePropulsion (C22). Feeling creative? Entrants aged between 4 – 18 years can take part in ePropulsion’s design competition to create the ‘skin’ for the new ePropulsion eLite motor. The overall winner will win a motor with their custom vinyl wrap design, plus an ePropulsion paddleboard and tickets to this year’s Southampton International Boat Show.
The circular economy
Don’t miss the ‘Equipment Recycling Hub’ stand (R34) in partnership with World Sailing Trust, World Sailing and The Green Blue who are collecting data on the product lifecycle of boat equipment. Take part in their survey and help them gain a better understanding of how we all use and dispose of old equipment.
Drop by the stand on Saturday (2.30pm) and Sunday (11.30am) for a panel discussion with representatives from leading industry organisations, including Musto, Sustainable Sailing, Marlow Ropes, Circular Flow, North Sails, and Harken, as they discuss the power of the circular economy.
Get involved
When planning your transport to Farnborough, why not take advantage of the special RYA shuttle bus taking visitors directly from Farnborough train station to the Show. The bus will help reduce traffic congestion in the area and carbon emissions from excess cars. EV charging points are also available for electric and hybrid cars in the on-site parking areas, just ask a marshal for directions.
Come prepared with a reusable water bottle as free water refill points are available across the Show. Plus, don’t forget to bring a reusable shopping bag for any new purchases you make during the weekend.
Treasure Hunt
And don’t forget to take part in this year’s seagrass themed Treasure Hunt. Pick up a load of new fun facts about this important underwater habitat and discover more about the many creatures that call it home – you may even win a prize at the end!
Exhibitor Pledge
As part of our plans to minimise the Show’s environmental impact we have asked exhibitors to consider the environment in their event plans and in doing so, sign-up to the RYA Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge. You may be able to spot some of the Pledge Certificates displayed around the Show, these mean that the exhibitor has agreed to all of the mandatory actions, as well as a minimum of six optional actions. These actions can vary from only offering recyclable / sustainable giveaways, to travelling on public transport, or sustainable adaptations to their stand’s design, why not have a chat with the exhibitors and find out which actions they’ve chosen?
RYA Members can access a complimentary ticket worth £21 for one or both days of the event, while kids aged 15 years and under, go free! Get your show ticket now.
