RYA Active Marina Experience a huge success 

At the Southampton Boat Show

The RYA Active Marina Experience proved once again to be a huge success with over 700 boaters picking up valuable tips, advice and practical experience at the PSP Southampton Boat Show (13-22 September).  

From berthing and boat handling to engine maintenance and VHF, the free on-the-water and shore based workshops provided visitors with the opportunity to refresh their boating skills and gain some real hands-on experience.  

“We were delighted to return to Southampton with the RYA Active Marina Experience which was even bigger this year with Sunsail providing two F40 yachts, a motor cruiser from 5 Star Marine, Suzuki providing a Pilothouse Cruiser and a RIB” said RYA Yachting Development Officer Guy Malpas.  

“The feedback we’ve received from those taking part in both the on water and shorebased sessions has been absolutely brilliant and everybody leaves with something, a little nugget, that’s going to help them to move forward”.

Malcolm Yaldon from Southampton Yacht Club, took part in the man overboard session with his wife Pam. “We’ve done a lot of sailing in the past and have done some theory but no formal RYA practical training so the man over board was really something to benefit from. I think everybody can do a little better on almost anything, you never stop learning and it’s all extremely useful”.  

The RYA Active Marina Experience was also at the All Wales Boat Show and will be at the Scottish Boat Show in Kip Marina this month. In January it will be returning to the London Boat Show where visitors can sign up for free shore based workshops.  

Guy concludes: “The Active Marina Experience has now got a place in every boat show within the UK and it’s great to be continuing to help even more people to gain confidence and to get out on the water”.  

The event, in association with On-The-Water and Which Marina, is part of the RYA Active Marina programme which encourages boaters to get more out of life with their boats by gaining the confidence and skills to leave their berths and get out on the water more often.    

To find out more information about the Active Marina Programme and to see if your marina has signed up visit www.rya.org.uk/go/activemarina

Thank you to our Southampton Boat Show RYA Active Marina Experience Sponsors: On The Water, Sunsail, Suzuki , 5 Star Marine, Gill, TYHA and Which Marina