Hailed a great success, the 2010 Southampton Sports Boat & RIB Show at Ocean Village Marina finished last weekend (22nd - 23rd May) with organisers reporting a great Show with a relaxed and fun atmosphere, quality visitors and glorious weather. As testament to the success of the Show, two thirds of this year's exhibitors have already committed to the 2011 Southampton Sports Boat & RIB Show, which will be hosted at the marina between 21st - 22nd May 2011.
Debbie Burns, Marina Manager, Ocean Village Marina enthuses, "It was a great weekend and we were delighted with the level of exhibitor and visitor interest in the Show returning to Ocean Village this year, with positive comments on the choice of the location as well as feedback on the good mix of RIBs and sports boats available for viewing. We wish to thank all who attended and made the event such a success and we look forward to welcoming many of them again at next year's Show."
This year's Southampton Sports Boat & RIB Show was formally opened by one of the world's best offshore sailors, Mike Golding OBE. The Show is now in its 6th year and offered an action-packed, free-entry event for boating fans and beginners as well as those looking for a great day out, with exhibits, on-water displays and even a fashion show of the latest Jobe beachwear and wetsuits.
With the sun shining on Ocean Village throughout the duration of the event, the location provided the perfect setting for the on-water entertainment programme, which included action from the Freestyle Asylum team and the Thundercat Racing UK team. Visitors also had the opportunity to get involved and get out on the water themselves, with the RYA's RIB driving taster sessions as well as the Sunseeker Experience taster sessions and Dave Mumford RIB Rides running the entire weekend. Also during the Show, the lucky visitor who won a Sunseeker Experience and the winner of a Sun Sport inflatable boat, courtesy of BARRUS, were revealed.
The Show was supported by the BMF's 'On The Water' campaign, which amongst its goals aims to inspire people to go boating more regularly and, importantly, provide them with the information, resources, advice and ideas they need to achieve this.
Post- Southampton Sports Boat & RIB Show exhibitor feedback includes:
Gary Greaves, Hockley Marine
"We had a superb Show and plan on exhibiting again. We were extremely busy throughout the duration of the weekend and were delighted with the response to the Cappelli boats we had on display, including the new Capelli 770WA twin berth cabin RIB."
Edward Pedley, MRL
"Ocean Village Marina was an easy location to get to and the layout around the marina meant that visitors were able to view the boats from the spectator area above. We were pleased with the response we had from visitors towards the new 10m Stingher, which we had on display amongst a selection of other models. We have already sold a couple of boats as a result of visitor interest."
David Allen, Southwater Marine, UK Distributor for Monterey Boats "We were pleased that we exhibited at the Show once again. We have attended every single year so far and certainly hope to exhibit again!"
Roy Kinch, Sunseeker Experience
"The whole Show went really well for us. We were extremely busy and were virtually non-stop, taking visitors out on the Sunseeker sports cruiser, Enzo, for 1-hour taster sessions throughout the whole weekend. It was great to see sailors and motor boating enthusiasts as well as newcomers onboard."