15/8/2023
We all know that the boat show boasts hundreds of exhibitors, boats galore, loads of opportunities to get on the water, a whole host of attractions and much more, but here are a few things you might not know about the show…
1 – This year marks the 55th edition of the Southampton International Boat Show. The first show took place in 1969 and ran for six days with roughly 50 exhibitors, compared to over 600 confirmed for the 2023 show and who knows how many will be on the line up this year?
2 – The Show features Europe’s largest purpose-built show marina with over 2km of pontoons
3 – It takes 30 days to set up and take down the whole show, with a team of over 200 people, including, but not limited to, security, traffic, cleaning, health & safety, presenters, AV technicians, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, flooring, marina installation and many more, bringing it all together.
4 – The Red Arrows returned with a spectacular fly past in 2023 after last appearing in 2015.
5 – BAFTA TV award-winning actor and star of Till Death Us Do Part, Warren Mitchell, was the first of a long line of celebrities to open the show in 1970. Since then, we have seen celebrities such as Lucy Mecklenburgh, James Cracknell, Ben Fogle, Dawn O’ Porter, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Olly Murs, Stacey Soloman, Nick Hancock, to name just a few, open the show.
6 – 24hr security personnel and various forms of technology protect over 2,000m of perimeter on land and the show works with the port and ferry operators to keep traffic moving through the city during the show.
7 – You can buy anything from a canoe/kayak or stand-up paddleboard for around £300… through to a multimillion-pound luxury yacht at the Show and with hundreds of craft to choose from you’re sure to find something you love, whatever your budget.
8 – At the 2014 show, 2,340 pints were pulled in the Uphams Punter Bar… how many pints will be poured at the famous Guinness Bar or in the new Shipyard this year?
9 – In 2016, the Southampton Boat Show went into the Guinness Book of World Records. 370 people put their bodies together to form the world’s largest boat image. The record, however, only lasted a couple of months until November, when 1325 Hong Kong schoolchildren formed a whole brig (a two-masted square-rigged ship).
10 – Over 14,000 people got on the water during the 2022 show, trying everything from paddleboarding and kayaking, to sailing and motorboating.
With so many amazing things happening at the show each year, you can be guaranteed a fantastic day out and this year is no exception.
Get ready for:
On water adventures | marine craft of all shapes and sizes | live music | tall ship |bigger watersports lake | Industry experts | chandlery galore | boat show bargains | World and UK debuts | specialist zones | daring stunt shows | live sporting action | delicious food and drink | VIP experiences | Guinness Bar | Festival vibes in the Shipyard | Rose Road Association mass swim | boat building demos | knot tying workshops | the latest gadgets and gizmos | Treasure Hunt | DJs | Dive tank | leading marine brands | late night Saturdays | Holiday inspiration | celebrities and so much more!
So, what are you waiting for? Get your ticket today www.southamptonboatshow.com
