London Boat Show - the glamour, the glitz and so many boats...
by Sail-World Cruising on 1 Jan 2012
London Boat Show - lots of glitz and glamour SW
As boat shows go, it must be the most alluring of all. For ten excitement-packed days, the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show at ExCel will be on again from the 6th January, 2012. The middle of winter is a peak time for boat shows, as the shows tend to fill a gap that many take from sailing during the cold months. Fitting the glitz and glamour of the show itself, this year it will be officially opened by none other than Tamara Ecclestone, head-turning 'Billion Dollar Girl' star.
Murray Ellis, managing director of National Boat Shows said: 'The 2012 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show promises to be an action-packed 10 days and Tamara will make for a glamorous and high profile opening. The Show is the perfect start to the season and returns this year with around 1000 boats, more than 500 exhibitors, new technology and a variety of innovative products.
'It’s an ideal chance for the family to get together, have a go at a watersport activity, learn a new skill or dream about your new boat, making it an unmissable day out.'
The show will feature boats of all shapes and sizes to climb aboard or gaze at, from entry-level wakeboards costing as little as £100, to glamorous and glitzy multi-million pound sailing and motor yachts like those from Princess, Oyster, Sunseeker and Jeanneau.
There will also be a fantastic range of shopping brands where visitors can find the best in marine and casual fashion clothing, books, DVDs and a multitude of gadgets, some being launched for the first time.
It also brings many of the world’s sailing stars together under one roof. The Clarks’ Knowledge Box is the place to see, hear and learn from the experts of the boating world, including British ocean adventurer Adam Priddy and three-time Olympic Gold medallist Ben Ainslie.
Other watersports’ greats include British National Freestyle Jet Ski Champion Jack Moule performing exciting displays outside on the dock and team GBR canoe champions Lizzie Neave and Huw Sweetnam sharing experiences on the Going for Gold attraction. Visitors will also be able to view eight ‘Olympic class’ boats within the attraction, and Ben Ainslie’s class of boat as soon as they enter the Show.
Not only the stars are great attractions. Visitors at the Tullet Prebon London Boat Show will get the once in a lifetime opportunity to scale the rigging of HMS Victory. For the first time ever people can experience what it's like to be aloft on the 18th century vessel that served as Nelson's flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar.
The fully rigged section of mast carrying the fore topgallant yardarm will become the centrepiece of the Classic Boat attraction.
Visitors will be able to scale the rigging, learn about HMS Victory's history and watch demonstrations about the use of artefacts extracted from the vessel.
If you're not close enough to make the show, it's almost worth catching and aeroplane to be there. Don't forget, it starts 6 January - http://www.londonboatshow.com
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