Something For All the Family at the PSP Southampton Boat Show

Published on 10/7/2012

Visit the UK’s best-loved on-water Boat Show this September

Experience Britain’s original on-water boat show, the PSP Southampton Boat Show, which returns to Mayflower Park this year. Running from 14 – 23 September, the Show features one of Europe’s largest purpose-built marinas with over 2km of pontoons and up to 1,000 boats.

The Show offers the chance to get out on the water, watch live cooking tutorials and see demonstrations from the Royal Marines Association as well as impressive flotillas. The world-class event is also the first place to see World, European and UK launches of boats and products and is the only place you can try on and compare the latest equipment and models all in one place. With so many things to see, do and learn there really is something for all boating enthusiasts, those new to the water and the whole family.

Throughout the Show, celebrating its 44th year, visitors can marvel at boats ranging from £300 dinghies to multi-million pound sailing and motor yachts. Family favourites alongside many new attractions, coupled with stunning views of the marina, will make for an enjoyable day, so there’s no excuse not to come and soak up the atmosphere!

Attraction Highlights Include:

The Show’s Signature Attraction: The Marina

The Show’s marina, comprising over 2km of pontoons, holds over 350 boats afloat across the 10 days. This purpose built marina is one of Europe’s largest, making the Show a truly on-water experience. From here guests will be able to see a daily flotilla, the Boat Parade featuring historic, iconic and innovative sail and power boats, pass through with a full commentary from BBC Radio Solent on what is sailing by.

Feature Boats

View a wide variety of old, new, sail and power feature boats that will be on display throughout the Show in the Marina. These include the Armed Steam Pinnance, thought to be the last remaining naval steam pinnace, HMS Gay Archer, Leader and Amelie Rose, a stunning replica Isles of Scilly pilot cutter. These pilot cutter boats were originally built in the 19th Century to take pilots out to incoming square riggers, but the Amelie Rose now features on ITV series ‘The Hungry Sailor’ and also takes charter guests on trips around the coast of the British Isles.

Prepare to Launch with On the Water!

If you want to get involved as well as enjoy the spectacle of the Show, get out on the water for free with On the Water’s key boating activities: Get Afloat and Try-A-Boat.

Try-A-Boat

The Show’s ever-popular attraction, Try-A-Boat, sees enthusiasts and beginners alike get on the water for free on a range of power and sail boats of all sizes. The 2011 PSP Southampton Boat Show saw some 10,000 people get out on the water and try out the boating on offer, making the 2012 Show the ideal place to get the opportunity to experience something new, learn from the experts and get up close to a variety of fantastic vessels.

Don’t delay – book your slot early at stand A140 in the Arena Area

Get Afloat

For the younger Show visitor Get Afloat, brought to the Show by Rockley Watersports, lets 8 – 16 year olds get on the water, with qualified instructors, in a 90 minute session in the heart of the Show.

Book in for your Get Afloat session at stand A140 in the Arena Area

Try-A-Dive

If it is an underwater experience you are looking for, Andark Diving’s Try-a-Dive attraction offers visitors of all ages to get in the water and experience Scuba Diving. A unique interactive sporting experience with fully qualified instructors on hand and all the kit supplied, all you need do is head to the stand and sign up for your free session.

Head over to stand A124 in the Arena area to book your slot

Suzuki RIB Experience

Suzuki’s RIB experience offers Show visitors the chance to travel at high speeds along Southampton water, getting to feel first-hand what it is like out on the water in a RIB; these adrenalin fuelled trips are free to Show visitors. Wheelchair users and non-able bodied Show visitors can enjoy getting out on the water courtesy of Wetwheels, a specially designed craft in conjunction with Geoff Holt MBE. The fully wheelchair accessible 9m Cheetah catamaran, powered by Suzuki engines will be on display in the Marina and available for rides.

Head over to stand EO57 in Mayflower Park to book in for your session

The Whitbread 60 Solent Sailing Experience

New for 2012, this sailing experience will let visitors feel the thrill of sailing aboard a round-the-world designed racing yacht. Test your skills and have a go at taking the helm, pulling on the runners, or using the coffee grinders to rise to the challenge of winching the massive main sail!

Book your experience from just £60 online at www.southamptonboatshow.com, find this sailing machine on berth MO50 in the Marina

The PSP Southampton Boat Show, with the RYA, Inter Club Two Boat Team Racing Championships

Team racing has risen in popularity and participation over the last few years and the Show is pleased to be able to hold this year’s championships right at the heart of the Show. The Team Racing Championships will let visitors see some of the country’s best team racers going head to head over the final weekend of the Show. These top sailors will be setting off at a flying pace, battling to be crowned winners at the Show, so prepare for an exciting competition to unfold!

Watch this on 22-23 September from Mayflower Park and the Marina

Sea Theatre Live

Back by popular demand, the Sea Theatre Live featuring the Sea Kitchen Theatre, Boat Clinics and the Great British Oyster Festival will all return this year.

Find the Sea Theatre Live in Solent Park

The Sea Kitchen Theatre

Pick up hints and tips from chefs and demonstrations in the Sea Kitchen Theatre, boasting a schedule of gastronomic treats. Top TV chef Mark Sargeant, former head chef of Gordon Ramsey’s Claridge’s, will be cooking and demonstrating dishes using all things found under the water. Show visitors will be able to join Mark at the Chef’s Top Table to taste the day’s top dish.

Mark will be appearing on certain days, check the website www.southamptonboatshow.com for details

The Great British Oyster Festival

Returning for the second year, The Great British Oyster Festival will be running throughout the 10 day Show. The 2011 PSP Southampton Boat Show’s Oyster Festival was the first interactive oyster festival of its kind in the UK and saw over 2,400 oysters, from 24 UK producers, shucked over the 10 day period. At this year’s Show, visitors will be able to learn from the experts, taste different varieties of oysters and find out just how to enjoy them all for free.

Boat Clinics

The popular and interactive Boat Clinics are back - meet with, learn from and talk to the experts who will be bestowing their knowledge in the daily sessions. Topics will range from renewable energy to preparing boats for extended cruising and from weather to lifejacket safety. Speakers include: Guy Page from Crewsaver, Peter Anderson, from Electric Energy, and Doug Innes, from StormForce.

Royal Marines Association (RMA)

The RMA is delighted to announce that, for the first time in history, it will attempt the record of the furthest distance cycled underwater in 24 hours during the PSP Southampton Boat Show. Two scuba divers will create the record, aiming to reach the distance of 240 miles over the time! The Royal Marines Association will also be presenting a full range of daily activities organised in its extreme Dive Tank – which will be open to the public. Other daily activities will include the Royal Marines underwater fitness test – in case you’ve ever wondered if you were fit enough to be a Marine – and The Royal Marines kit exchange demonstration.

Visit stand CO60 located in Solent Pack and find out how you too can have a go!

The Boat Project

Part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, The Boat Project has been built from donated wood, everything from a pencil to part of a piano. This living archive of people’s stories and lives is now set in a 30ft vessel designed to take on the seas. Launched on May 7 2012 Collective Spirit can be seen out on the water up and down the coast before coming to the PSP Southampton Boat Show this September. You can find the Boat Project on stand A130 in the Arena area of the Show

A Well Deserved Drink

Brand new for this year, The Pub is the place to head to after a long day of family fun at the PSP Southampton Boat Show. Enjoy a break and the atmosphere of a traditional British public house. Or sip on champagne and other drinks at the Champagne Bar & Suzuki Marina Bar whilst overlooking the marina and enjoying the view. Alternatively, take in the Show’s atmosphere and enjoy a la carte dining at the Mariners restaurant.

The Pub and Mariners Restaurant can be found in the Mayflower Complex, Mayflower Park, with the Champagne Bar & Suzuki Marina Bar in Solent Park.

Tickets

Adult tickets can be purchased in advance of the Show from just £10*, with two children going free with each paying adult†.

New this year, enjoy the Whitbread 60 Experience just £60, or the Silver ticket from just £65* which includes hospitality and a lounge for you to relax in throughout the day. For those in search of a luxury day out, the Platinum Experience, in association with Princess includes an incredible powerboat experience and access to the exclusive VIP lounge plus lunch and refreshments from £110*.

Keep updated on Show news and developments and book tickets via the PSP Southampton Boat Show website www.southamptonboatshow.com or call the ticket hotline on 0871 230 7140**.

*A transaction fee of £1.75 applies per transaction not per ticket. ** Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras.

† Terms and Conditions apply, for details visit www.southamptonboatshow.com

- Ends -

For more information, please contact the NBS Press Office team at Publicasity on 020 7632 2432 or boatshow@publicasity.co.uk and find Show updates on the @LoveBoatShows Facebook and Twitter pages.

Notes to Editors:

• The PSP Southampton Boat Show runs from 14 – 23 September in Mayflower Park, Southampton. Opening hours are Friday 14 – Saturday 22 10am – 6:30pm and Sunday 23 10am – 6pm; visitors can access the Arena area of the Show from 9:30am with access across the bridge to the Holiday Inn from 10am

• ** For all Show ticket information please visit www.southamptonboatshow.com

• The PSP Southampton Boat Show in Mayflower Park and the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show at ExCeL London are organised by National Boat Shows Ltd (NBS). NBS is a subsidiary of the British Marine Federation (BMF), the trade association for the UK boating industry

• All activities can be booked at the Show – see www.southamptonboatshow.com for details

• The Tullett Prebon London Boat Show takes place from 12 – 20 January 2013 at ExCeL London. For more information visit www.londonboatshow.com

• *A fee of £1.75 applies per transaction

• To book your accommodation for the PSP Southampton Boat Show visit the accommodation section to see the exclusive special offers for Show guests. http://www.southamptonboatshow.com/2011/visiting/accommodation

• PSP is the title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and one of the UK’s fastest-growing freight forwarders.

About PSP:

• PSP is the title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and one of the UK’s fastest-growing freight forwarders.

• Working from its headquarters in Hampshire and in conjunction with its offices and agents across the globe, it offers freight forwarding, worldwide boat transportation, marine spares, international express courier services, export packing and waterjet cutting services.

• Flexible and fast-moving, PSP is continually expanding and has offices in the UK and across the world, as well as its own global network of boat transportation specialists, The PSP Alliance.

• PSP was the first ever title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and 2012 marks its fifth year of sponsorship.

• PSP ships for brands such as The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Princess, Sunseeker, Fairline, Dee Caffari MBE, Bear Grylls and Sir Robin Knox-Johnson.

• To find out more visit www.psp-logistics.com