Hyde Sails: Meet the Team and Timing at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026

Hyde Sails will staff two dedicated stands at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026: Ben McGrane on Saturday at Winder Boats, stand D30 (Mirror Class activity 14:00–16:00 with a Tuning Talk at 14:00 and Q&A at 14:30), and the Flying 15 Class Association stand B30 on Saturday morning (11:00–13:00); John Brooks will represent Hyde on Sunday for trade discussions and account support.

Who you'll meet and when

On the Saturday programme, Ben McGrane (One Design Sales Manager) will be available to discuss rig tuning, sail selection and class-specific race set-ups at set times on the Mirror and Flying 15 stands. On Sunday, John Brooks (OEM Account Manager) will be on hand for trade customers, covering bulk orders, OEM supply logistics and aftermarket accessories. Both team members bring direct product and operational knowledge to the show floor.

Official Hyde Sails schedule (at a glance)

• Mirror Class Association (Winder Boats, stand D30): 14:00–16:00 — Mirror Tuning Talk 14:00; Mirror Q&A 14:30.
• Flying 15 Class Association (stand B30): 11:00–13:00 — class clinics and informal consultations.
• Trade meetings: Sunday — John Brooks available for OEM and trade enquiries (pre-booking recommended).

Quick-contact table for the show

Topics to discuss with the Hyde team

Conversations at the stands typically cover practical and technical topics: Sail material choices, cover specifications, race tuning tips for specific dinghy classes, and timelines for OEM production and delivery. For trade visitors, expect detailed discussions about minimum order quantities, lead times and global shipping considerations.

Suggested questions for sailors

• Which sailcloth and cut work best for mixed winds in coastal regattas?
• How does one balance durability and performance for charter fleets?
• What are the expected OEM lead times for bulk orders and replacements?
• Can Hyde advise on coverings and storage solutions for longer cruises or winter lay-ups?

Logistics and travel implications for visitors

For sailors and spectators, the timing of stands and talks should be factored into travel plans: allow buffer time for on-site queuing, exhibit walkthroughs and transport between halls. Those attending regattas or planning charter holidays will find the technical advice useful when organising equipment shipping, arranging service windows, or choosing sails for specific itineraries. Local accommodation may fill quickly on show weekends, so booking ahead is recommended.

How Hyde's presence affects tourism and boating trips

Class-specific tuning advice and OEM contacts have downstream benefits for tourism: better-prepared boats mean smoother charters, safer coastal cruises and more enjoyable regattas, which in turn support local marinas, charter operators and waterfront hospitality. For travellers with a mind to do one-off experiences, this kind of expertise can influence decisions about yacht parties, cruise packages or adventure rafting trips for beginners when choosing destinations or equipment providers.

You can pre-book a short consultation with Hyde representatives through their contact channels; doing so helps manage exhibit-day logistics and ensures focused time with the right specialist. Bringing measurement sheets or photos of your spars and sails will make the session more productive.

The show also offers a snapshot of the industry supply chain: from design and manufacturing (Hyde Sails has been manufacturing since 1964) to distribution and after-sales service, all of which affect turnaround times for custom sails and covers and the reliability of charter fleets and event organisers.

Highlights: the availability of class-focused tuning talks, the chance to speak with a long-serving OEM specialist (John Brooks), and direct access to One Design expertise (Ben McGrane). Still, no matter how thorough a write-up or how candid reviews are, nothing replaces hands-on experience and trying gear in real conditions. On GetExperience, you book your experience from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. GetExperience also allows full and secure payments through the website with a voucher confirmation issued afterwards and the option to submit requests for tours or excursions tailored specifically to your needs, helping you receive offers from providers that match your preferences—Book now GetExperience.com

In summary: plan your visit around the published stand times for Ben McGrane and John Brooks, prepare specific technical questions, and consider pre-booking consultations to maximise the show experience. Whether you’re prepping for regatta season, organising a charter, or sourcing OEM sails and accessories, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show presents practical opportunities to improve travel experiences, book adventure activities, explore museum tours with live guides nearby, or arrange luxury adventure travel experiences and eco-friendly wildlife safaris through specialist providers. By combining expert advice with on-site contacts you can better coordinate logistics for yacht charters, cruise packages and even interactive online cultural workshops that enhance time ashore.