Did you attend the first ever show or do you know someone who did? Perhaps you have a photo? Can you recount a story from one of your visits; for example the moment you meet one of your boating heroes? Or how about the moment the penny dropped changing the way you sailed for ever? We’d love to see your photos and hear your stories.

Send your stories and photos to [email protected] / Emma Slater, RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble SO31 4YA and we’ll put them on display at the show in March.

“The Dinghy Show is a real family and boating community affair and many visitors come year after year; not just for the talks, exhibitors, clubs and activities but also to catch up with old friends and probably make some new ones too”, commented Paul Bayliss, RYA Volvo Dinghy Show manager.

“Now we’ve reached our 60th year it would be great to hear how the show has changed over the years and visitor memories. The show has definitely changed even in the last five years so it would be wonderful to find out what was going on all those years ago,” he continued.

Held at the magnificent Alexandra Palace in London over the weekend of 5-6 March 2011 the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, in association with Yachts and Yachting and Suzuki, has something for all dinghy sailors young or old, novice or pro, cruiser or racer and is the only show in the world dedicated exclusively to all things dinghy sailing. The perfect way to take the wraps off the 2011 season.

Tickets brought in advance cost just £11.00 for adults (£9.00 for RYA members and und;8.00 f or RYA Gold members), children 16 or under; accompanied by an adult, just £5.00 a ticket and go free on Sunday (maximum two free of charge child tickets per adult). Children who are RYA members go free of charge all weekend.

Tickets can also be purchased on the door for £13.00 adult and £7.00 child, but if you want to beat the queues and save money then book online now at www.dinghyshow.org or call the ticket hotline on 0844 811 0409.

Win great prizes Once again by booking in advance you could also help your club win some fantastic prizes. Anyone buying a ticket in advance up until midnight on 4th March 2011 will be able to nominate their sailing club to be in with a chance of winning. Thanks’ to show sponsors Volvo plus Suzuki, Rigiflex, Mersea Trailers and Rooster Sailing, clubs will be placed into one of the three prize draw groups depending upon the number of tickets sold and nominations made.

Clubs could win:

Just nominate your club when you book your tickets (for group bookings please use the telephone hotline) and you could help your club win one of these great prizes.

Don’t worry if you’re not a member of a club, if you’re passionate about dinghy sailing or simply want to find out about getting started, then book your tickets now and come visit the show; there really is something for everyone.

For the price of your ticket, you get far more than just a show. Free advice, free workshops and free talks are available at your fingertips, and the halls are packed to the rafters with dinghies galore, from timeless classics to the very latest in design. There are also hundreds of exhibitors filling the show so you’ll find everything you need to improve your sailing or get you started.

So make a date in your diary now and come celebrate 60 years of the show with us. For all the show information visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk