The All Wales Boat Show in Conwy has been hailed as a celebration of the Welsh Coast Life.
The event at Conwy Quay Marina from May 30 to June 1 will have something for everybody from beginners through to sailing and watersports professionals.
The aim is to tap into the huge potential of the marine leisure industry, which already pumps around £200 million into the Welsh economy every year.
There’ll be glamour from Sunseeker Yachts, whose cruisers have featured prominently in several Bond movie blockbusters.
In addition, other luxury motorboat makers Fairline Wales, Robalo, Chaparral, Bayliner, Jeanneau, Beneteau and Quicksilver will also be dipping their toe in the water this year, along with high end sailboats such as Hanse, Dufour and Delher.
Also at this year’s show there is a chandlery, a used boat show and a boat jumble – to register your interest in participating visit the website.
At the other end of the spectrum, there will be coracles and bath-tub racing, while dare devil visitors will get the chance to be the first in Wales to try out a spectacular new type of watersport.
The company that brought flyboarding – already tried by Hollywood stars like Leonardo DeCaprio, Tom Cruise and Vin Diesel – to the UK will be showcasing the adrenalin-fuelled craze for the first time at the All Wales Boat Show.
A flyboard is a type of water jetpack connected by a long hose to a powerful jet-ski through which gallons of water are pumped at high pressure.
Water is shot out through jet nozzles beneath the feet of the rider who can be lifted up to 15 metres in the air. By using two hand jets the rider can change the direction of their flight.
It’s been described as flying like a bird while swimming like a dolphin and more accomplished flyboarders can go on to perform manoeuvres like spins, back-flips and dives.
Visitors can try flyboarding themselves with expert instructors in the safe waters of Conwy marina.
The show will be hosting the UK leg of the World Bathtubbing Championships, after the first round in Christchurch, New Zealand, organised by Tony Bain of mid Wales-based Green Dragon Activities.
He will also be demonstrating kawheelies, coracles and akwakats, which are kayaks powered by bikes on rivers and canals. New Zealand-raised Tony is just back from Down Under, where he taught stand-up boarding in the country’s fast flowing rivers.
Steve Morgan, Chief Executive of the Welsh Yachting Association, said: “Our ambition to make Wales one of the best places in the world to be a sailor.
“The marine leisure industry in Wales is a major player in terms of economic development and it needs the All Wales Boat Show.”
Davina Carey-Evans, Managing Director of show organisers Sbarc, was “very excited” by the prospects for this year’s event.
She said: “The backdrop for the show is stunningly beautiful and the location just off the A55 is perfect in terms of accessibility.”
This year’s show will be officially opened by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, who hailed the event as shot in the arm for the economy.
He said: “This area in particular has some real advantages which I call the three big Cs – the cost of sailing is less, it has a coastline you would struggle to find better anywhere and the clarity of its water.
“The All Wales Boat Show is the perfect showcase for all these advantages and I am delighted I have been invited back this year.
For more information go to www.allwalesboatshow.com
