The Boating Stage

More details coming.

The RYA Yachtmaster isn’t just a certificate…it’s a passport to adventure, global travel and a life on the water, recognised around the world. But it’s just one of many pathways unlocked through RYA qualifications. Join the RYA for a live careers panel and discover what could be waiting for you. Session is followed by the RYA Yachtmaster of the Year Awards.

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.

For decades, MARPOL Annex V has applied to every vessel, including recreational boats, yet few in the leisure marine industry realise it. Now, as marinas, insurers and regulators increasingly focus on environmental compliance, understanding your responsibilities has never been more important.

More details coming.

Join industry stalwart Andy Goddard as he celebrates a remarkable milestone – 50 years of Andark Diving & Watersports. In this informal Q&A session, hosted by family friend and British World Powerboat Champion Shelley Jory-Leigh, Andy will reflect on the company’s journey from its beginnings to becoming a leading name in the diving and watersports industry. Discover how the business has evolved over five decades, the challenges and successes along the way, and what lies ahead for the future of this family-run company, now led by Andy’s youngest daughter, Miriam.

More details coming.

What if accessibility became boating’s greatest competitive advantage? Accessible Oceans challenges the marine industry to rethink accessibility, showing how inclusive design, better customer experiences and practical innovation can unlock new markets, welcome millions more people onto the water, and create a stronger, more successful future for everyone.

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston captured public imagination in the 1960s with his solo, non-stop circumnavigation in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. Departing Falmouth in June 1968 aboard Suhaili, he returned 312 days later on April 22, 1969, making history. Since then, he has raced worldwide and founded the Clipper Race to make ocean racing accessible to all.

From an abandoned hull to an Arctic expedition yacht. Discover the story of The Ghostship — a personal mission to build one of the world’s most capable electric exploration boats, challenging convention, rethinking the rules and exploring remote places without leaving a trace.

Sailing is often seen as an expensive hobby, but this can vary with many different factors including the size and age of the boat. These days there are many older GRP boats around that can be bought for remarkably low prices. The cost of ownership will depend largely on where and how it is kept, and maintenance. In this talk we look at some of the things a beginner should think about and some ways of getting on the water at relatively low cost.

More details coming.

PFAS “forever chemicals” are rapidly becoming one of the defining environmental issues facing the marine industry. With global regulation accelerating and consumer awareness increasing, this session examines where PFAS are found, the risks they present, and the practical steps boat owners, manufacturers, retailers and marinas can take towards a PFAS-free future.

Historically, the dark realms of our deep seas were dominated by large, long-living sharks. But recently, things have begun to change. As a result of human activities, the large sharks that once roamed the oceans are in huge decline and being replaced by smaller, more numerous species. To learn more, join marine biologist and ocean explorer, Dr Daniel Moore (Deep Shark Research Group – University of Exeter), to hear about how these dwellers of the deep live, hunt and survive and how the boating community is actively contributing to this research – and how you can too!

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.

Pre-departure engine checks are quick and simple, and could save you getting stranded or costly repairs. Join Peter as he runs through the essential pre-departure engine checks you should be doing before you set off.

Maritime incidents often begin with uncertainty, requiring rapid decisions on movement, reporting, and communication in complex legal jurisdictions. From a defence barrister’s perspective, this session examines how evidence is created, how investigations reconstruct events, and how early actions can shape liability before the full facts emerge. It provides practical, real-world guidance for managing uncertainty and reducing legal risk at sea.

Join local aviator and sailor George Bacon in conversation with Will Hosie tracing the local Itchen Boatyard Landau Marine site story back over 100 years from boatbuilding into floatplanes and the creation of the Supermarine S5, outright Schneider Trophy winner and its legacy to the iconic Spitfire’s very first flight over Southampton Water in 1936 which will be recreated over SIBS this year by the BBMF.

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.

The prestigious Superyacht UK Young Designer Awards return, celebrating emerging talent and recognising the future stars of superyacht design.

The Blue Economy is transforming how coastal communities, marinas, and recreational boating operate. Drawing on more than 20 years advising governments, investors, and international ocean initiatives, Mark J. Spalding explores the opportunities emerging from sustainable finance, blue carbon, resilient infrastructure, and clean marine technologies. Attendees will gain practical insights into the trends, investment opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of recreational boating – and why the industry’s choices today will define tomorrow’s ocean economy.

For decades, MARPOL Annex V has applied to every vessel, including recreational boats, yet few in the leisure marine industry realise it. Now, as marinas, insurers and regulators increasingly focus on environmental compliance, understanding your responsibilities has never been more important.

A panel discussion to explore the latest advances in adhesive and tape technologies for marine construction and repair, examining where these solutions can offer practical advantages over traditional welding and riveting. While recognising that welds and rivets remain the preferred option in many applications, the session will focus on areas where modern adhesives and tapes provide a viable – and in some cases superior – alternative.

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.

Offshore racing demands high-stakes decisions drawn from noisy, sparse, real-time data. digiLab’s platform applies probabilistic machine learning to build empirical polar performance models from onboard sensor streams, detecting deviations from expected boat speed and quantifying predictive confidence. Tim Dodwell and offshore racer Joss Creswell demonstrate how the sailor’s instinct and uncertainty-aware AI combine to enhance decision-making and maximise Joss’s performance on the water.

More details coming.

Dreaming of a career in offshore sailing? Learn about how to get started, the pathways available including fast-track options, and how to make it happen.

Careers aren’t built in one big leap…they’re built in moments. In this honest session led by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), hear from women in all areas of the marine industry, from coaches and pro sailors to corporate leaders on the real moments that shaped their careers. From first chances to setbacks and breakthroughs, they’ll share what they wish they’d known when starting out.

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.

The marine industry is changing. This panel explores the real challenges neurodivergent people face in accessing boating, employment and training – and the untapped talent, creativity and innovation they offer. Discover why embracing neurodiversity isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s essential for the future of our industry.

Dreaming of a career in offshore sailing? Learn about how to get started, the pathways available including fast-track options, and how to make it happen.

Join industry stalwart Andy Goddard as he celebrates a remarkable milestone – 50 years of Andark Diving & Watersports. In this informal Q&A session, hosted by family friend and British World Powerboat Champion Shelley Jory-Leigh, Andy will reflect on the company’s journey from its beginnings to becoming a leading name in the diving and watersports industry. Discover how the business has evolved over five decades, the challenges and successes along the way, and what lies ahead for the future of this family-run company, now led by Andy’s youngest daughter, Miriam.

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.

Naval Regional Commander, Cdre Tim Green will outline the ways the Royal Navy works with the wider maritime ecosystem to solve problems, lead in innovation and build resilience and freedom of navigation.

Join the Royal Navy Presentation Team for a dynamic, multi-media presentation to a which informs and increases knowledge of the work of the Royal Navy. Learn what the Royal Navy does and why and how it supports the UK’s safety, security and economic viability and resilience. Update about our equipment, our people, current and future capability. Discover the potential consequences to businesses if the Royal Navy did not fulfil its task

Join local aviator and sailor George Bacon in conversation with Julian Gee and Noel Pemberton-Billing tracing his Grandfather Noel’s founding legacy to the local Itchen River Landau Marine site history back over 100 years from boatbuilding to floatplanes and its history with the creation of the iconic Spitfire’s very first flight over Southampton Water in 1936 which will be recreated over SIBS this year by the BBMF.

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.

Tom tells us how his early buccaneering seafaring led by curious coincidence to becoming a Yachtmaster Examiner. He goes on to describe what the work was like in the days before electronics of any sort. It’s high octane stuff and, surprisingly, it’s also a laugh a minute.

Key points and principles for completing repairs to GRP boats with WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy.

Team Brady’s Co-Team Principles give an insider’s look at E1, the electric raceboat series revolutionising watersports. They’ll explain how E1 works, where the season races, and share what it’s been like building a team from scratch – including the unique experience of running Team Brady for, and working alongside, Tom Brady.

Tom tells us how his early buccaneering seafaring led by curious coincidence to becoming a Yachtmaster Examiner. He goes on to describe what the work was like in the days before electronics of any sort. It’s high octane stuff and, surprisingly, it’s also a laugh a minute.

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.

Miles Jennings has been racing powerboats most of his life with incredible achievements reserved only for the most talented on the water… along with a little bit of luck. Jennings boasts 6 x Worlds, 2 x European, 12 x British, 2 x Harmsworth trophy, 7 x Cowes-Torquay-Cowes wins and this year is his 50th year of continuously racing (without a break). Miles is known for his eccentric personality and style and when it comes to powerboat racing there is very little Jennings doesn’t know, so expect a great talk and some spectacular footage and feel free to ask any question during his session.

Sailing is often seen as an expensive hobby, but this can vary with many different factors including the size and age of the boat. These days there are many older GRP boats around that can be bought for remarkably low prices. The cost of ownership will depend largely on where and how it is kept, and maintenance. In this talk we look at some of the things a beginner should think about and some ways of getting on the water at relatively low cost.

UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) Sports Commissioner Sarah Donohue interviews women with a passion for power in the tough world of Offshore Powerboat Racing

Dreaming of racing across oceans? This is your chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to sail around the world, from the experts at the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Learn about the training, the race, the yachts and more.