South Africa show attracts record visitors

by IBI Magazine on 12 Sep 2007 The Absa National Boat Show, held August 17-19 in Johannesburg, said in a statement that a record 30,630 visitors attended the show. This year's event also incorporated Dive 2007.

The show was the largest in its five-year history, with 22,000 sq. meters of boats, accessories and leisure products. The show also had a live hosting of the BASSAFRICA Classic bass fishing tournament, a Wake Wars Zone wake-skating competition, and Dive 2007 pavilion.

Roger Donaldson, editor of BASSAFRICA, said that the show allowed his company to promote bass fishing to a 'cross-over audience' of boating and outdoor enthusiasts. 'Certainly, the live final weigh-in at the show was the first of its kind to ever be staged in South Africa,' Donaldson said in the statement.

Rhys Couzyn, Director of Scuba Equipment Africa, said the dive component was good for his company. 'We felt it attracted a very good quality and quantity of visitors - definitely a big improvement on the number and quality of visitors in 2006,' said Couzyn.

The statement noted that the Wake Wars Zone attracted thousands of spectators, which was located outside the main entrance.

Competitions held at the show yielded about R-1 million in prizes, with a number of boat and motor packages given out. Show organisers said they expect 2008's event to be even larger and more well-attended.

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