London Boat Show 2006 - 6 – 15 January 2006, ExCeL London
29 November 2005 - 12:33
MAD FOR MOTORBOATS, WILD FOR WATER SPORT, SILLY FOR SAILING?
Experts and enthusiasts alike head for the London Boat Show 2006
(6 – 15 January 2006, ExCeL London) For ten days only, the London Boat Show brings together the largest, most varied selection of boats and watersports equipment in the UK, all under one roof. It attracts the marine world’s most passionate and knowledgeable experts as well as sports men and women and people who are fanatical about water leisure, making it a must for anyone with a passion for water pursuits.
10 fantastic reasons to go to the London Boat Show 2006
1) Drool over the boat of your dreams
Explore hundreds of different world-class makes and models of boat from multimillion-pound motor cruisers to one-man lasers and inflatable ribs, and everything in between. From the makers of celebrity-style vessels like Sunseeker and Moody Yachts to makers of one man boats like Laser and Zodiac, you can climb aboard and experience any of the hundreds of the boats on display with specialist experts on hand to answer your questions.
2) Get an adrenaline fix at the Watersports Arena
The adrenaline-fuelled sports of windsurfing, wakeboarding and canoe polo are brought indoors at the Show for a winter display of skill and mettle. The world’s windsurfing elite compete in the London leg of the Professional Windsurfers Association Tour in the purpose built, 1,500 seater, Arena. Giant fans generate 30 knots of wind, while 30 competitors ride in the slalom, freestyle and jump events. The UK’s finest wakeboarders will also engross crowds, pulling airs and riding fakie through the British Open Indoor Wakeboarding Championships and the toughest UK canoe polo teams have their paddles at the ready to quite literally fight it out at the National Canoe Polo Championships.
3) Discover a new passion
The London Boat Show is the perfect place for beginners to get involved in sailing or watersports for the first time. Be inspired by the professionals and have a go yourself. There are daily free public coaching sessions where watersports experts will offer tips on
canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. For a more leisurely ride, pedalos will be available for to take out on the water.
4) Explore the impressive Hydropool Marina boats
Take a trip along the Hydropool Marina and explore the impressive range of boats on the water, averaging 80 feet or longer. The Royal Navy Frigate HMS Grafton will be protecting the dockside for the duration of the show and is one of the few boats at the Show that’s not for sale!
5) Grab a sailing or watersports holiday bargain
The London Boat Show is a great place to check out the latest sailing and watersports holiday deals. Sailing and watersports holiday companies like Sunsail, Mark Warner, The Moorings and Neilson will all be offering discounts to those who book at the Show for holidays in the coming year. The Watersports Lifestyle village also houses everything a watersports fan might need. There are fantastic deals to be had on the latest watersports gear including surf and body boards, windsurfing sails, wet suits and waxes and loads more.
6) Pick up sartorial style for surf, Solent or St Tropez
If you’re looking for serious surf gear, high tech sailing kit or stylish yachting clobber, the Show’s the place to go. Brands like Mad Cowes, Fat Face or Pukka will appeal to watersports fans, while Gill, Henri Lloyd and Musto might appeal to the serious (or wannabe) sailors out there.
7) Take it easy at Inland Waterways
You can find life-size jetties and a real-ale English country pub at the Waterscape.com Inland Waterways attraction. Dedicated to canals, lakes, and rivers, the feature is sponsored by Waterscape.com and supported by the British Marine Federation, British Waterways and the Environment Agency.
8) Meet up with old friends at the Guinness Bar
The famous Boat Show Guinness Bar is a favourite haunt for regulars to the Show so make sure you drop in and enjoy a pint of the black stuff with the great and the good of the boating world.
9) Learn more about financing a boat and fractional ownership
For looking to buy, or trying to understand the finance of boat buying, experts in marine finance like Barclays Marine Finance, Lombard Marine, SailTime and Bank of Scotland Marine are at the Show to answer financial and investment questions and help buyers
understand their options, like clubbing together and buying your dream boat with friends.
10) Spot famous faces
The London Boat Show attracts a host of accomplished sports men and women from the world of sailing and watersports. This year British windsurfers Nik Baker, Ben Proffitt and Robby Swift will appear in the watersports arena with Douglas Diaz (Venezuela), Ricardo Campello (Brazil) Josh Angulo (USA) and the Moreno twins Daida and Ibella (Spain). The top British female wakeboard, Louise Moore will also be there along with the likes of Dan Nott, Ben Hitch, Jonty Green, Marc Rossiter and Wil Christien. Also keep your eyes peeled for a variety of celebrities who come along each year to research their next purchase.
With over 700 exhibitors, around 1000 world-class boats and masses of related equipment, the London Boat Show is a must attend event for everyone with a passion for the water. Located in the heart of London’s Docklands at ExCeL, you will find everything from luxury powerboats and traditional tall ships to affordable dinghies and water sports equipment.
The Show will be open daily from 6-15 January 2006 from 10am until 7pm (6pm Sunday 15). Thursday 12 is late night opening until 9pm.
For more information visit www.londonboatshow.com or call 0870 060 0246 to order your Show tickets.
ExCeL has great transport links, it is conveniently located close to London City Airport, there is a direct dual carriageway link to the M11 and M25 and ExCeL even has its own dedicated Docklands Light Railway station – Custom House for ExCeL – providing fast, convenient access to the City (30 mins) and the West End (45 mins).
To find out more about the facilities the venue now offers visit www.londonboatshow.com .
