Family Fun key to attendance at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

by Jeni Bone on 7 Jun 2012 Families were well catered for at the recent Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, with feedback from visitors saying the Carnival atmosphere was back this year, as well as reinforcing the theory that 'if the kids are happy, everybody’s happy'.

The amazing JetLev by Jetpack Adventures was a hit with families, with the aerial aquatic acrobatics performed by Chief pilot, Jack Ellison – the first person in Australia to fly the Jetpack.

Imported from Germany, the JetLev from Jetpack Adventures can reach 10 metres in the air (30 feet) – the height of a three storey building! The Jetpack Adventures team ran live demonstrations daily at 10am, noon and 2pm in the demonstration area of Marina C Arm.

These demonstrations were complemented by the skillful performances by Ben from Jetsurf, who showed how the motorized surfboard could handle in still water.

Designed and manufactured by MotoGP and Formula 1 engineers and direct from Dubai, the high tech Two-Stroke 86 cubic centimeter engine provides an amazing 55Km/h with only 14kg in weight!

For the dreamers, Concept Models had mini-sized remote controlled boats on show, demonstrating their exceptional speed and agility in on-water trials that wowed young and old alike.

In the new Cove Tavern Piazza there was a full program of entertainment, including headline act singer, Casey Barnes, Sally Jenyns and the team from Seven’s 'My Kitchen Rules' and their dynamic cooking demonstrations, water and safety gear demonstrations by Stormy of the latest PFDs, fashion parades and bands, performers and more each of the four days, kids’ imaginations were kept busy with the activity kits from Busy Nippers.

Robert Miranda, director of Busy Nippers says the concept is suitable for events like the boat show. 'Parents are keen to look at their next investment, equipment, or a new boat, or perhaps just have another glass of wine over lunch. Our activity bags are a great source of entertainment for all ages, from three to 10 years old. They have stickers, colouring in, crosswords, word search, join the dot games, mazes and other fun stuff.'

'Because it’s a quality bag, the kids will keep dipping in it even beyond the show. There are 16 different themes and they are great for events and children’s parties. It creates loyalty for an event, since people come back looking for different options for the Busy Nippers’ bags.'

In addition, there were fishing tanks thanks to Two Bent Rods, with yabbies and fish for the little ones to throw a line in and experience the fun of hooking a live one. For a change of pace, a high-tech gaming van provided the latest in virtual tennis and racing games, so kids could challenge local up and coming sports stars, India Warren and James Macken, both of whom are sponsored by Mulpha and live at Sanctuary Cove.

Free family movies with a nautical theme, including 'Pirates of the Caribbean', 'Dolphin Tale' and 'Finding Nemo' played in daily sessions, and for the ladies, Introduction to Sailing sessions were held each day conducted by Sunshine Sailing Australia, the Ladies’ Lunch featuring Ita Buttrose, fashion from Jemae and jewellery from Middleton’s raised money for Alzheimer’s research, decorating seminars by Boat Style and the popular 'High Tea on the High Seas' cruises on MV The Lady.

'The aim of this marine-themed program was to complement the range of innovative exhibitors on show, with more than 70 world and Australian launches this year,' says Sue Thomson, boat show general manager. 'The diverse range of activities appealed to the family market and attracted the boating public in good numbers, from south-east Queensland, interstate and New Zealand.'

The 25th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show will be held 23-26 May 2013.