Manly Power, Sail & Paddle to deliver hands-on boating fun

by Jeni Bone on 30 Jul 2012 One of the southern hemisphere’s largest marine precincts, Manly Harbour is where Brisbane accesses Moreton Bay Marine Park, with its myriad islands and pristine waterways. According to boat ownership statistics, the Wynnum/Manly area boasts one of the highest boat ownership ratios in Brisbane with one in six residents owning a boat.

With more than 1,500 boats moored across the harbour’s four marinas, Manly Harbour presents a perfect picture of what boating in Brisbane is all about.

For this reason, Marine Queensland has chosen Manly Harbour as the ideal location to host Brisbane’s first ever on-water marine showcase – Power, Sail & Paddle, 21-23 September.

Power, Sail & Paddle is set to be an industry showcase unlike anything seen before in Brisbane. This is the only on-water event in the State which is completely dedicated to promoting the benefits of and access to a marine recreation based lifestyle.

In 2012, Power, Sail & Paddle will be based around the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club with numerous displays of boats and other marine related equipment throughout the club’s car park and hard stand area.

The event will extend out into the marina utilising marina berths in front of the Club House and the Manly Jetty Bistro to showcase luxury cruising vessels, sailing boats and on water demonstrations including canoe polo and kayaking skills to name a few.

Power, Sail & Paddle has been created to make it easy for everyone to discover boating. This showcase aims to take away the barriers and reveal boating as the affordable family pastime it really is.

According to organisers, Power, Sail & Paddle will provide the unique opportunity to get hands-on experience on all manner of watercraft, with a huge array of family-friendly activities to complement the boating lifestyle displays.

This pre-summer exhibition coincides with the first week of the school holidays, giving families unprecedented access to expert advice to help match you with the right boat for your needs, as well as show specials and offers from dealers and manufactures from across South East Queensland.

A feature of this year’s event will be the Queensland Open Bream Invitational. Up to 10 teams will take to Moreton Bay each morning and will return to Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club each afternoon for a live weigh in – straight from the boat to the scales!

Entry is just $10 for adults, kids free. The boutiques and restaurants of Manly Harbour Village combine to create the ideal atmosphere and interesting range of attractions for a great family day out.

Power, Sail & Paddle thanks the following organisations for their supporting in launching this event: Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club, Manly Chamber of Commerce, Maritime Safety Queensland and Brisbane Marketing.

More at www.marineqld.com.au