London 2003 Calling
The London Boat Show - at Earls Court for the last time.
The world's best known boat show opens January 2nd and runs until January 12 2003. Teaming up with the Turkish Tourist Board, the 49 th and final show at Earls Court presents a touch of Eastern promise.
Hoping to attract over 170,000 visitors from the UK and abroad to view the ultimate in boating, the two million gallon central pool inside Earls Court, specially constructed each year for the boat show, has become a stunning life-sized Turkish marina.
The poolside has been transformed into an eastern village where market stalls, local cuisine and a stage for whirling dervishes' displays nestle against the harbour giving visitors a chance to soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere before browsing for a holiday.
The ever-popular Guineess stand returns, thus insuring that plenty of sales and business contracts will be signed during the show. Over 800 boats will be on display, many making their world and/or European debut.
Some of the new boats on display include:
Other features include:
Windsurfing
Windsurfing is easily accessible to the general public; the equipment is great value for money with starter kits for £799. Storage and transportation of the equipment is easy. So if you are looking for a cost effective and highly exhilarating way to get on the water come and speak to the Boards Magazine Team on Stand 20A.
The objective is to show how easy it is to learn to windsurf in 2003. Equipment has progressed from the days when windsurfing was all about falling in. The learning curve has steepened and the professionalism of the coaching has improved dramatically.
Learn to find your balance, tack and jibe in complete safety on our special pool. A superb programme for complete beginners with staff from Boards Magazine on hand to discuss how to get involved along with experienced RYA Instructors from across the UK. Tap into professional advice on what equipment would most suit you and where your nearest school/windsurfing location is.
Information packs will be on the stand including Beginning with Boards, a dedicated supplement designed to encourage those interested in taking up this great sport, the RYA approved schools directory and brochures on all the equipment available.
Concept Boat Competition: See the future!
Look into the future of boating. The Concept Boat Competition, organized by the British Marine Federation supported by the Royal Institute of Naval Architects is intended to encourage everyone involved in the design, development, production and use of small craft to influence the future. The first Concept Boat Competition was launched at the Southampton Boat Show in September 2001. The theme was 'Transportable Boat', defined as any recreational or commercial craft of up to 24m length to be used on or in water and capable of being easily transportable by the user on, in or behind another vehicle, vessel or aircraft. Entrants needed to show that their boats were not only viable on water but that they could be easily transportable. Come and be dazzled by the brilliance and novelty of the short-listed entries for this first annual Competition. And see a mock-up of the winning entry. See conceptboat.londonweb.net for renderings of all entries.
Marine Web Awards
On Tuesday January 7, boats.com will announce the winner of the first annual Marine Web Awards. Nominations for the best websites were taken this fall.
The winner of each category will not only wear the esteemed title for a one year period but they will also receive an impressive trophy exclusively designed by world renowned yacht designer, Tony Castro. boats.com will also feature a dedicated award winner's page on www.boats.com where each winner will be profiled.
