International News: Helsinki International Boat Show

Options from 7 seas for boating & water sports.

Are you interested in fishing, boating and water sports? Finland’s biggest event in the boating sector, the Helsinki International Boat Show, is set to begin at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre. Visitors can find products and innovations for all areas of boating and water sports.

The most important names in the field will be on hand for the Helsinki International Boat Show. Visitors will find motorboats, sailboats, wooden boats, rowing boats, canoes and RIBs at the show. All in all about 600 boats will be on display. The show will also provide a comprehensive survey of boating supplies, electronics, island tourism services, diving, fishing and canoeing. The event will include 345 exhibitors.

Are you interested in fishing, boating and water sports? Finland’s biggest event in the boating sector, the Helsinki International Boat Show, has begun at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre. Visitors can f Dive in and get ready for adventure!

Do you enjoy waves splashing? Do you water ski or jet ski like a fish in water? Are you interested in surfing? How about diving? At the Helsinki International Boat Show you can find the most popular water sports and equipment. And expert advice is available for beginners as well as people who are already adept at water sports. If you are thinking of taking up boating, you can get valuable advice at the Start Boating area.

Visitors can try scuba diving under the guidance of a PADI instructor. Exciting canoeing demonstrations, life-saving demonstrations and remote controlled boat contests will also be arranged in the show’s pool. At the Volvo stand visitors can sense the atmosphere of the Volvo Ocean Race. A photo exhibition by Petri Korteniemi will provide an introduction to Finnish sailboat racing.

Visitors who are interested in fishing will receive tips on catching pike and salmon as well as a wide range of supplies. Fishing licences for the coming year will also be on sale at the show.

Gorgeous scenery and destinations will be presented in the Finnish Outer Island Association’s slide show, at a joint stand arranged by the Island Committee and organizations offering island and waterway tourism and at the Mini-theatre of Tourism, which is a new attraction.

Ahoy! Little skippers and pets on deck!

Boating is a hobby for the whole family. Children can try hoisting a sail and tying knots, diving and sailing in a real dinghy. At the weekend and on Thursday and Friday, there will be supervised play facilities for children aged 2-7, with drawing and other activities, free of charge. The Moomins will also appear at the show on Thursday, 18 February and Saturday-Sunday, 20-21 February.

A special attraction for families who go boating with pets or are thinking of buying a dog is a presentation on Sunday, 14 February at 1.30 pm and Saturday, 20 February at 4 pm entitled “Shipdog’s Log”.

Awards and recognitions

On the first day of the show the Finnish Boating Journalists Association will present its Boating Achievement of the Year 2009 award and the jury will announce the candidates shortlisted for the show’s best sailboat and best motorboat awards. The winning boats will be announced on Wednesday, 17 February at 12 noon. ProSail Magazine will announce the Boating Destination of the Year 2009 award in the Mini-theatre of Tourism at 3.30 pm on Friday,

The audience will get to pick the winner of the Boating Supply of the Year award from among the products on display in the lobby at the south entrance of the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre. Voting will continue up to 7 pm on Friday, 19 February. The Boating Supply of the Year 2009 will be announced on Saturday, 20 February.

The Helsinki International Boat Show is being arranged by the Finnish Fair Corporation on behalf of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat. This is the 41st time the show has been held. The show’s main cooperation partner is Volvo Auto Oy Ab.

Steer yourself to the Helsinki International Boat Show! The Vene 10 Båt at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre will be open 13-21 February 2010 Monday-Friday from 11 am to 7 pm (Thursday, 18 February extended to 9 pm) and Saturday-Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm (Sunday, 21 February 10 am to 5 pm). Admission restricted to boating industry professionals and media representatives from 10 am to 6 pm on Friday, 12 February.

Admission €13/9, family ticket €28. Admission includes the entire programme for the public.