The Boating Stage

Join SeaKeepers Ambassador Mike Golding OBE and Gill Rodrigues on an extraordinary 18-month voyage from New Zealand through the Pacific and Indian Ocean to South Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, and Europe. Hear how SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Programme transformed this unforgettable adventure into a powerful platform for ocean research, conservation and education .

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.

UKSA’s charitable impact is centred on improving social mobility by providing life-changing opportunities through maritime education and training. We remove barriers to participation, helping young people and adults from diverse backgrounds develop skills, confidence, resilience, and employability. Through in-house training, outreach programmes, and industry specific pathways, UKSA enables individuals to achieve their potential and access careers.

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.

From Boyhood Dream to Sailing Around the World – A childhood experience aboard his grandfather’s boat in the 1960s sparked a lifelong dream to sail around the world single-handed. Decades later, that dream became reality as he spent nine years sailing the world alone, returning to Plymouth on 25 August 2025. He documented the adventure through more than 300 films, now viewed over 34 million times. In this inspiring talk, he shares the highs, lows and challenges of the journey – from choosing and buying his steel boat to becoming a medic, mechanic, electrician, carpenter, diplomat and tech expert along the way.

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.

At UKSA, making maritime accessible to all is about ensuring that every opportunity is determined by potential, not background. We are committed to breaking down barriers to participation, creating inclusive pathways into maritime training and employment. Through financial support, tailored programmes, and industry partnerships, we empower people of all ages and abilities to discover a life beyond. The sea.

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.

Whether out on the water, exploring the local coastline or sitting on your sofa at home, everyone can support ocean conservation. Join SeaKeepers and their partners to discover how you can get involved in impactful projects, deepen your understanding of ocean environments, and play your part in safeguarding marine ecosystems.

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.

More details coming.

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.

Join Peter, a passionate sailor with over 21,000 nautical miles of experience, as he shares how local knowledge can transform your Ionian sailing. See how the free Ionian Sailing App—built from real, on-the-water experience – puts your passage planning, weather, checklists, navigation, and local event discovery at your fingertips, helping you sail smarter, safer, and enjoy every moment on the water.

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. Dr Andy Corbett 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 ocean racing and ready for the ultimate challenge? Hear from Clipper Race’s Hannah Brewis on her pathway from instructor to Deputy Race Director, via 1.5 circumnavigations and how you can become one of the next cohorts of Clipper Race Skippers and First Mates.  The Clipper Race is the only event of its kind which trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers and take on the endurance event of a lifetime. Each team is led by an experienced skipper and first mate and Hannah will explain what it takes to lead in such a unique environment – testing your leadership and tactical skills through the world’s toughest oceans. Learn what you need 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.

Jazz Turner shares the extraordinary story behind Project FEAR, her 2,070-mile solo and unassisted voyage around Britain and Ireland. A disabled sailor and wheelchair user, Jazz talks honestly about overcoming barriers, managing fear, finding freedom on the water and pushing beyond what others believe is possible – both on and off the water.

Oliver Irvine led his team to first place on the Clipper 2025-26 Race. Learn how he built a successful team (winning seven of thirteen races) on one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet. Discover Oliver’s sailing pathway to becoming half of the youngest sailing duo to win the Clipper Race.

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.

Thinking about buying a boat, but wondering how often you’d actually use it? Join FlexiSail Boat Club on the Southampton Boat Show main stage for a practical look at ownership versus membership. We’ll compare the freedom of having your own boat with the costs and responsibilities that come with it, then explore how club membership could get you on the water more often.

Join the Royal Navy Presentation Team for a dynamic, multi-media presentation 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. Cdre​ Green will then lead a Q&A panel, bringing a of variety perspectives from across the Royal Navy to answer the public and industry’s pressing questions.

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.

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.

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.

Pip speaks honestly and authentically about the excitement and risks of racing a flying boat, alone, at speeds close to 40 knots and in some of the most remote waters on the planet. She talks about the challenges of setting up and funding an internationally ranked Ocean Racing team in the UK, driving performance, her ambition to change perceptions, audiences and competition profiles in the world of Ocean racing as well as the heart break and recovery of losing her mast half way through the 2024 Vendee Globe Race.

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.

Leaders in boating technology have been trying to push electric boats in racing for years, but without a huge amount of popularity due to weight, charging time, mining impacts on the environment and the lack of ‘race noise’. So maybe a lightweight performance hull with a properly sourced biofuel is much more competitive than carrying stack of weight. Let’s ask the question…

Second Wave is a grassroots mission to sail a boat made entirely from waste materials around the UK stopping in local ports to deliver environmental education and STEM inspiration through hands-on community events. We turn trash into tools for learning, action, and change.

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.