Countdown to Poole Harbour Boat Show in association with Sunseeker
Final preparations are underway before the south coast’s free boating festival, the Poole Harbour Boat Show in association with Sunseeker, anchors itself on Poole Quay from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd May.
Poole Quay and the award-winning Poole Quay Boat Haven will be transformed into a free showcase for sports boats, RIBs, chandlery products, clothing, watersports accessories, on-the-water demonstrations and live music.
On Friday 20th May, from 1pm to 8pm, quayside stands will be open to the public however access to the exhibiting boats in the marina will be restricted to press and trade only. Organisers Poole Harbour Commissioners are honoured to welcome Sir Steven Redgrave to officially open the three day show. Having set out to win three Olympic gold medals at the beginning of his career, Sir Redgrave went on to win an incredible five golds in five successive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000. Now an ambassador for Jaguar Land Rover, Sir Redgrave will make an appearance on the Westover Group stand on Friday afternoon between 3pm and 4pm.
On Friday evening, visitors to the Quay will be able to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display at dusk, sponsored by Sibbett Gregory, and this will kick-start a full weekend of free entertainment.
On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd, between 10am and 6pm, with open access to all, the action continues and a central entertainment feature will be the show’s music stage named ‘Sunseeker Sessions’ which will showcase great British performances with musical talent from across the region. Confirmed acts include the Sunseeker Renegades, Bonsai Pirates, Quinns Quinney, Harry Hammersmith and the Flyovers, and Harpin On.
On-the-water activities include a junior RIB slalom, dinghy racing and Poole Gig Rowing Club races as well as RNLI and PHC vessel demonstrations. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take to the water themselves on Saturday and Sunday in R19 or J24 sailing dinghies as taster sessions will be available from Poole Quay Boat Haven between 10am and 4.30pm.
Gibbs Sports will also be demonstrating its amphibious vehicles. The Quadski, the world’s first amphibious sports car, reaches speeds of 45mph on both water and land and transitions between them in seconds. The four-wheel drive Humdinga is designed to access remote and hostile terrain and is capable of 100mph on land and 40mph on water. Both vehicles will be displayed on Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 2pm.
Exhibitors include Boston Whaler, Cobra Ribs, Jetski Safaris, Beneteau, Monterey Boats, Princess, Regal, Ribeye, Sealine, Searay, Rockley Watersports, the RNLI, The Watersports Academy, Weird Fish, Windy Boats, Quay Holidays and many more.
Jim Stewart, chief executive at Poole Harbour Commissioners, says: “There will be so much taking place at this year’s Poole Harbour Boat Show in association with Sunseeker, it will be an event not to be missed. Packed with opportunities to discover a variety of boats, enjoy a host of entertainment and watch on-the-water displays there is so much for everyone. With the support of many of the region’s best marine and watersports professionals and associations, we are really looking forward to what we anticipate will be a fantastic second year of the show.”
The show is supported by Bates Wharf Marine Sales, British Marine Wessex, Coleman Insurance, Conker Spirit, Elite Signs, law firm Humphries Kirk, MS Amlin, PKF Francis Clark with Princecroft Willis, PSP Logistics, Sibbett Gregory, Sunseeker and the Westover Group. Media partners backing the show are the Bournemouth Daily Echo and Wave 105.
