Boating campaign grows

“Our show, from May 23 to 26, falls on the week of World Boating Day’s global launch. In ode to that, we have various activities and activations in place for our exhibitors, trade partners and visitors to collectively celebrate the boating lifestyle.

“From superyachts and luxury motor yachts to trailerable boats, gear and gadgets, SCIBS 2024 is the place to see the best the marine industry has to offer in the Southern Hemisphere.”

While the campaign has a great link to SCIBS, World Boating Day was created independently. The mission behind the campaign is to open the doors of businesses worldwide and invite first-time or avid boating enthusiasts to celebrate boating.

Between the mild South Pacific autumn and the entry into the summer season, organisers say the dates are the perfect compromise between the two hemispheres.

The World Boating Day campaign says it strives to become a practical solution to creating more accessibility and understanding of the boating sector.

World Boating Day appoints South Pacific ambassador

“I saw the opportunity to be involved in an initiative that promotes sustainable leisure boating, this being an important foundation of the marine industry and future of Zeal Marinas,” says Zeal, who has joined the campaign as its South Pacific ambassador.

“And so I joined with a view to setting a good benchmark for the World Boating Day movement in years to come – it has been nothing short of fulfilling.”

In the South Pacific region, key businesses already registered on the platform include Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Freedom Boat Club Australia, Jack Warwick – Yacht Broker at Ray White Marine, d’Albora Marinas, Fliteboard, Shell Harbour Marina, Pelican Waters Marina, Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard, Quality Marine Clothing, Coral Sea Marina, Marina Mirage Marina, Empire Marinas Group, The Boat Princess, Red Paddle Co, The Boat Works, Flagship International and AIMEX.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Benetti, Feadship, Bilgin Yachts, Tankoa, Cantiere Rossini, Isle of Man Maritime, and Pulina Exclusive Interiors are among some of the participants listing exclusive events.

“D’Albora is proud to support the World Boating Day initiative,” says Julien Pouteau, managing director at d’Albora. “Our daily business is at the very core of its focus as we provide boating and marine lifestyle services and solutions across our marina, boatyard, boat sales and hospitality network.”

Events listed so far include sea trials on Freedom Boat Club’s new Sea Ray SDX 250 and boat maintenance workshops, one-to-one appointments with Quality Marine Clothing to maintain wet weather gear, a two-hour open Q&A with yacht sales brokers, a self-drive tour through one of Queensland’s key refit facilities, and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show itself, plus the AIMEX Garden lunch sponsored by World Boating Day.

“Freedom Boat Club’s participation is a no-brainer given our success expanding boater participation through our subscription-based boating model,” says David Kurczewski, general manager of Freedom Boat Club Asia Pacific, part of Brunswick Corporation. “Our sister company, Fliteboard, is also participating, providing thousands of new and experienced riders with the ultimate flying over water experience.”

Shipyards, boat clubs, design studios, sailing schools, marinas, crew agencies, retail businesses and offices are openly invited to join the campaign, either by creating a specific event or registering an existing one from their calendar under the World Boating Day banner.

“We couldn’t be happier to bring more people to the leisure boating and superyachting industry into the beautiful part of the world that Australia and the South Pacific are,” says Dilan Saraç, Executive Director of the Superyacht Life Foundation.

“We are so proud that the region is leading the movement, and we encourage the rest of the world to follow: World Boating Day is not ours; it is for everyone who would like to join.”

worldboatingday.com