The Boat Show - 2-12 January 2003
Should be plenty to interest dingy sailors with Rooster, Topper, Laser, LDC Pinnell & Bax, Purple Marine, all the major clothing manufacturers plus the chance to ogle at the yachts.
The show is opened by the GBR Challenge team and has a Turkish theme. The show (www.londonboatshow.net) will open from ...
... 10 am until 7 pm everyday, except on Thursday 9 January when it will be open until 9.30 pm and Sunday 12 January when the show will close at 6 pm.
Teaming up with the Turkish Tourist Board, the 49th 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.
Once again there are a range of interesting personalities at the show including:
The GBR Challenge team, back from their America's Cup adventures in New Zealand will be opening the show at 11.00 am on 2 January on the Central Stage. Members of the team will be available for photographs and interviews at 11.15.
Bear Grylls, the youngest person to climb Everest, will be at the show displaying the boat in which he plans to use for his next world record-breaking adventure. Bear is available for interviews prior to the show and on 2 January. Photo call with Bear Grylls and his boat at 11.30 on the steps of Earls Court 1.
Ben Ainslie, sailing gold medallist from the Olympics and recently voted Yachtsperson of the Year at the BBC South Sports awards and nominated for YJA Yachtsman of the Year. Ben will be available for interviews on 2 January.
As always, the show features a spectacular array of world-class boats to cater for watersports enthusiasts of all ages. Visitors will be able to feast their eyes on boats large and small from top of the range luxury dream craft to affordable entry-level dinghies.
The 14.5 acres of exhibition space at Earls Court include the indoor pool which will form the central focus of the show with 19 boats afloat. For those wishing to keep to dry land, there will be over 600 exhibitors offering boating enthusiasts of all levels advice on everything from boating finance to safety gear, boating engines to marine electronics, together with information on boating schools and training courses.
The largest selection of marine clothing will be on display together with the first pick of the new seasons boating and water sports holidays for 2003. The famous Guinness bar makes a welcome return together with over 20 bars, cafes and restaurants including high street brands such as Pizza Express, Pret a Manger and Soup Opera.
£200,000 worth of Club Sunsail holidays to Turkey will be given away in promotions surrounding The Schroders London Boat Show and in competitions run for visitors to Earls 1