“Build me straight, O worthy Master!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; The Building of the Ship (1849)
Staunch and strong, a goodly vessel
That shall laugh at all disaster,
And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!”
This week sees the V&A Waterfront host South Africa’s premier boating and luxury lifestyle show: The Cape Town International Boat Show. And naturally, given that we excel in both boating and luxury lifestyles, Waterfront Charters will be there! From Friday the 18th through until Sunday the 20th of October, the V&A will be chocked to the gunwales with all things nautical. Whether you are involved in the boating industry, the tourist industry, are a sailor or are just a person who loves the sea and all things on it and in it, this is a show not to be missed. It’s not only for serious bearded mariners either: there are activities and events that will appeal to all members of the family, so make your visit a family affair.
With 4500 square metres of show space, you can bet that the professional organisers, Messe Frankfurt, have put together an incredible variety of exhibits and events. Exhibitors will to looking to interact with thousands of interested visitors, so you can expect a cornucopia of delights, no matter what your boating interests or experience. From professionals to enthusiastic amateurs there will be something for everyone: here’s a (brief!) list of some of the things you can marvel over – boats (of course), yachts (naturally), engines, state of the art equipment, canoes, kayaks, rafting, water-skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, diving (highly recommended), surfing in all its forms, fishing (for the patient and dedicated) – the list just goes on and on. The world of water means different things to different people; a playground for many, a pantry for some, a world of wonder and excitement for others, a challenging medium for the sporting. And above all, a place that needs to be treated with care and respect; this is a message that will be in the minds of all those attending who love the oceans.
There is an Avenue as well! The Avenue adds to the luxury element of the Boating Show, and here you will find a host of exhibitors who will add to the wonder of the show. On display will be art, antiques, electronics, clothing to drool over (not literally, please), jewellery, perfumes, real estate and tourism opportunities, amongst many others. Of course, no Boat Show would be complete without catering for the inner guest, so you can expect gourmet food options and exceptional Cape wines and other liquid refreshments to tantalise the palate.
Naturally, as befits any nautical event, there are a host of activities that also take place over the three days. Once again, space doesn’t permit a full run down (there is a handy link below for complete details), but think Dragon Boat racing, surfboard shaping, an Optimist sailing academy, a radio-controlled boat regatta, SUP racing, NSRI demonstrations (our heroes at work), live music – even time for World Cup rugby! The V&A Waterfront will be a hive of non-stop boating activity and the Cape Town Boat Show is a must for everyone.
Make sure you visit the Waterfront Charters exhibition while you are there. As the V&A’s longest serving cruise company, we know the business inside out and our seven vessels and wide range of cruise options are ideal for all your cruise requirements. Whether it’s a harbour tour, a sunset adventure, an Eco-tour or coastal cruise, we have you covered. And it’s in our name: we offer an incredible variety of chartering options for your every need. A Waterfront Charters ocean experience is the perfect way to round off your visit.
Everything you need to know; check it out and feel the excitement: see you at the Cape Town International Boat Show!
