Saturday 22nd - Sunday 23rd May
The 2010 Southampton Sports Boat & RIB Show, being staged at Ocean Village Marina this weekend (between Saturday 22nd - Sunday 23rd May), is all set to host an impressive range of exhibits, features and boats for newcomers and boating veterans to view and enjoy. There'll be exciting on-water displays as well as opportunities for visitors to get out on the water, enter competitions, and get involved. What's more, one of the world's best offshore sailors, Mike Golding OBE will be making a special visit to open the weekend event. Entrance is FREE to all visitors and the Show is open from 10am to 6pm on the Saturday and 10am to 5pm on the Sunday.
British sailor to open show
Mike Golding OBE will be joining the Show organisers to formally open the Show on the Saturday (22nd May) at 12 noon. Mike is no stranger to Ocean Village Marina, as this is where his office and team are based. Mike's illustrious career has already included sailing around the world five times, winning the BT Global Challenge and becoming the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions. Mike's Vendee Globe IMOCA 60 racing yacht (Formerly Ecover3) can also be seen in the marina.
Get on the water
Visitors to the Show will have the opportunity to get behind the throttle of a RIB and pick up some basic boat handling skills at the RYA's free RIB driving taster sessions. Under the watchful eyes of an RYA instructor, anyone over the age of eight years old will be able to have a go. Following a five minute briefing drivers will enjoy 15 minutes buzzing around the marina. The sessions will run throughout the weekend event and places will be on a first come first served basis. Buoyancy aids will be provided and children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.
Competitions!
There will be the opportunity to enter several competitions for the chance to win some fantastic prizes.
Southampton based RIB dealer, MRL will be offering the chance for two lucky visitors to take a ride to Cowes in one of its superb performance Stingher demonstration boats. To find out more and for an entry form, please visit the MRL stand.
Visitors will also have the chance of winning a great little Sun Sport inflatable boat, worth £659, courtesy of BARRUS. Entry forms will be available at the entrance to the Show.
On-water entertainment
On-water entertainment this year includes exciting displays from the Thundercat Racing UK team as well as impressive tricks from the Freestyle Asylum team. Not for the faint hearted, the talented Freestyle Asylum team, featuring some of the UK's top PWC (Personal Watercraft) riders, will be creating impressive water displays with various technical tricks and stunts.
New on-water feature
An exciting new on-water feature this year is the 'racing boat attraction area' which will showcase numerous renowned race powerboats including BBC Top Gear camera man, Iain May's impressive Hunton powerboat. Several other entrant boats from most of the National and World classes will also be making a special appearance at the Show in advance of the 50th Cowes Torquay Powerboat Race this August.
Another must-see for powerboat racing fans is the historic 25 foot 'Thunderbolt', which won the first ever Cowes Torquay Powerboat Race in 1961. Its current owner, Mike James, commodore of the Classic Offshore Powerboat Owners Club (COPOC), will be available on the stand to answer questions about the boat.
Boats on display
An impressive selection of craft from a range of companies will be available for viewing. Amongst the boat brands being represented include Aquaflyte RIBs, Avon Inflatables, Bombard Inflatables, Capelli, Cobra RIBs, Cougar Powerboats, Humber Inflatable Boats, Hunton Powerboats, Orkney Boats, Piranha RIBs, Renegade RIBs, Revenger RIBs, Ribeye boats, Ribtec cabin cruisers, Rib-x, Ring Powercraft, Scorpion RIBs, Williams Performance Tenders, Windy Boats, XS, Zodiac RIBs.
Get involved
The Piranha Ribs stand will be offering information about a new amateur RIB race, the Piranha 'Nab Dash'. Appropriately, the race is what the name suggests - entrants will meet at Sparkes Marina, Hayling Island before starting the race outside the entrance to Chichester Harbour and take a 'dash' to the Nab Tower and back - a journey of approximately 13 miles.
Visitors to the Show will also be able to find out about the RYA's Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship and how clubs and youngsters can get involved in this national competition.
Sunseeker experience
Visitors to the Sunseeker Experience stand within the main show area will have the opportunity to see the luxury and feel the handling of a Sunseeker Portofino power boat. Exclusive to visitors, the Sunseeker Experience is offering a special price of £39 per person for a 1 hour taster experience taken during the Show.
What's more, there will be two Sunseeker Experience 1 hour taster sessions up for grabs. Winners will be offered the opportunity to step aboard a Sunseeker sports cruiser and will even get a turn at the helm. For the chance of winning, visitors to the Show should go to the Sunseeker Experience stand.
So much to see
The RNLI is displaying one of its lifeboats in the Show's marina and will also be offering sea safety advice on-shore. Many more companies have also confirmed their place at the Show and are bringing a range of products, from electronics to ultrasonic antifouling and engines to watersports clothing, besides much more!
Where it's at
Ocean Village Marina is situated in the heart of Southampton and is within close proximity to the city's restaurants, bars and shops. There's also a great choice of bars and restaurants on site. The Show is easily accessible via road and rail with on-site parking for visitors. Post code for SAT NAV users is: SO14 3TG.