Britain’s biggest festival of boating is returning this Friday and will be opened by members of the British Sailing Team fresh from Tokyo 2020.
The official opening ceremony will see the six Olympians taking centre stage at 9.30am to open the 52nd Southampton International Boat Show and the public will have the chance to rub shoulders with the sailors and see their winning boats up close at the show.
Appearing at the much-anticipated event will be 49er Gold medallists Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell, and 470 Women Gold medallist Eilidh McIntyre along with 49er FX Charlotte Dobson, 470 Chris Grube and Laser sailor Ali Young.
The event will provide a chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity for fans and budding young Olympic sailors of the future to meet the team and find out about their Tokyo 2020 success.
As well as meeting the celebrated athletes, the show offers more than 500 boats and 350 marine brands for visitors to check out against the stunning backdrop of Europe’s largest, purpose-built marina.
The Show is for everyone to enjoy – not just boat enthusiasts – and visitors can explore five different zones, featuring interactive attractions, live music and displays, as well as the latest technological innovations.
The 52nd edition of the show sees the addition of brand new zones tailored to Watersports, Dinghy, Classic & Day Boat and On The Water activities alongside the Festival Green which is perfect for relaxing, grabbing a refreshment and soaking up the atmosphere. The Show offers visitors the opportunity to indulge in their passion for the water. Whether you’re a watersports enthusiast, boating newbie or a seasoned sailor, there is something for everyone.
Guests can enjoy an array of on-the-water experiences, from trying paddleboarding, to enjoying an exhilarating trip on
- a 7.8m RIB, through to sailing aboard a 37ft yacht. Key features at this year’s Show include:
- Try-a-Boat – come aboard with the opportunity to glide through the waters in a high-speed RIB or float across the Solent under sail
- Island Scene Mini Cruise – fully equipped with sundecks and bars, the Ocean Scene is the Show’s very own mini cruise ship
- Watersports Zone: new for 2021, try a windsurfing simulator or dive a tank underwater for an exhilarating addition to the day
- Get Afloat – from dinghy sailing to paddleboarding, try something new or sharpen your existing watersports skills
- Try-a-Dive – if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater, the Andark Try-a-Dive tank is your opportunity to experience a whole new world
- Festival Green – relax and unwind with a line-up of amazing music, acts and special appearances. This new zone is the perfect place to unwind with friends
- Seaside Storytime Ship – Listen to magical stories of water adventures and join readers from Southampton’s libraries
- The Southampton International Boat Show has launched boating legends, offered a platform for ground-breaking technology and tracked the rise of global marine brands. In 2021 it will be the biggest Show yet, with more interactive experiences, marine brands and boats, across the ten-day festival.
Building on existing environmental initiatives, the Southampton International Boat Show has asked exhibitors to commit to an environmental pledge that helped the 2019 show divert over 7.5tons of waste from landfills. This includes a ban on all plastic straws, single-use plastic and the new provision of e-tickets.
An Environmental Award will also be presented to recognise brands who have gone above and beyond to reduce their environmental impact and introduce sustainable working practices.
Tickets are available to purchase now – click here to secure yours now
For a full breakdown of ticket costs and packages please click here
