Sports Boat Expo makes brilliant debut

by Greg Shoemark on 29 Sep 2012 Australia’s newest boat show, the Club Marine Sports Boat & PWC Expo, made a brilliant debut in perfect Melbourne spring weather last weekend.

The Royal Exhibition Building was the place to be for ski and wake enthusiasts, who celebrated their love of watersports and did some serious shopping.

Exhibitors reported solid sales as early as the first day, and patrons took advantage of keenly priced show deals over the full three days.

Show organiser Tom Calderwood said the event had more than proved the pent-up demand for a specialist sports boat and PWC show in Victoria.

'The big thing was the sense of shared enthusiasm among the patrons and exhibitors – a real coming together of the ski and wake community,' he said.

'One of the real hits was the special triple-trampoline, with world champions Chloe Mills and Harley Clifford showing their best tricks for a keen audience.

'It was also clear that people were there not just to look but to shop – and that applied to everything from small accessories to top-end boats.

'I heard one boat buyer described it as heaven for anyone who wanted to compare all the boats without having to go all over town.'

Club Marine state manager for Victoria, Ross Lambrick, said the Expo demonstrated that the time was right for a dedicated watersports show.

'We see a very bright future for this great new event,' he said.

'We’re proud to be a part of the Club Marine Sports Boat & PWC Expo as it grows into a major fixture on the annual boat show calendar.'

More at www.theboatexpo.com.au