Visitors can look forward to unique variety at boot 2018
Unique variety is what visitors can look forward to at boot 2018, reflected in the comprehensive selection of products and services that the almost 1,900 exhibitors at the water sports trade fair in Düsseldorf will be showcasing. The numerous stages in particular will be presenting a varied and informative programme: diving, Water Pixel World, the ocean protection project love your ocean, the Start Boating project for beginners, the Refit Center, the Travel World, the Classic Forum and the Sailing Center.
Dive Center with a new look in Hall 3
Hall 3 has been the diving centre at boot for many years now. This is where not only well-known diving celebrities and accomplished athletes but also beginners meet to chat and network informally at the Dive Center. Practically all the major international manufacturers are there to present the latest diving equipment: from high-tech units to flippers, underwater fans will find everything the heart desires here. All the leading diving associations are represented here too and are only too glad to pass their know-how on to the public. The centrepiece of Hall 3 is the new Dive Center. It is designed like a diving base, consisting of bamboo huts and palms that are grouped around the popular diving pool and the diving tower. This is where an initial insight can be obtained into how professionals prepare to dive. It is a particularly interesting process for beginners to watch, because they have an opportunity for the first time here to see for themselves how a diving cylinder is filled and how a diving mask or diving suit is put on properly – and to ask the experts questions too.
“love your ocean“, Water Pixel World and tow boats in Hall 4
The “love your ocean” stand is one of the focal points in Hall 4. In co-operation with the German Ocean Foundation, activities are being organised here for children and ocean enthusiasts to take part in. In the middle of the stand, an enormous model of a killer whale enables visitors to listen to the sound waves that can be heard in the ocean. This is a chance for children – and adults as well – to relax and take a rest in all the excitement of the rest of the trade fair. The Bracenet project with the motto “Save the Seas – Wear a Net” aims to increase awareness of the need for ocean protection. Both young and adult boot visitors can design and make a net bracelet of their own here. The well-known British ocean activist and passionate sailor Emily Penn will be available on the “love your ocean” stand at regular intervals during boot 2018 to talk about the global campaign to protect our oceans. She will be showing impressive photos about her work to reduce ocean pollution on the Water Pixel World stage, which is also in Hall 4. The enthralling scenes that are captured in underwater photographs and are being shown at the Water Pixel World are another exhibit that visitors will find breathtaking. Anyone who would like to photograph or film underwater himself will find the latest equipment for taking high-quality pictures here. Quite apart from all this equipment, it goes without saying that there will also be any number of boats to admire in Hall 4 too. This is where the special tow boats are on display, for example. These fast-moving boats are used for such purposes as wakeboarding or water skiing.
Sheer luxury in Halls 5, 6 and 7a
Hall 5 is where the luxury section of boot Düsseldorf starts. The suppliers of expensive boats are presenting their exhibits in three entire halls at boot 2018. 5, 6 and 7a house luxury tenders, luxury yachts up to 35 metres long – at boot Düsseldorf for the first time again for many years – and superyachts, models of which the shipyards will be displaying. Luxurious items of equipment and furnishing for megayachts will be on show in Hall 7a too. With the trade magazine boote EXCLUSIV, which will be holding the German Superyacht Conference in Düsseldorf too on the occasion of boot, the German Boat and Ship Manufacturers’ Association and its German Yachts offshoot and numerous service providers like insurance and transport companies make Hall 7a the place for superyacht owners to obtain all-round information in a luxurious setting.
Hall 6, the showpiece of boot 2018, boasts luxury yachts up to 35 metres(!) long. The large, bright and high hall is home to top international manufacturers. Such shipyards as Azimut, Ferretti, Princess, Sunseeker or Monte Carlo are known in the industry for exclusive boats with highly sophisticated equipment and furnishings. Appropriately enough, all of them come to Düsseldorf by boat. Carried by a pontoon, for example, that brings them directly to boot 2018 on the Rhine from Rotterdam. “And Hall 6 is absolutely full of yachts”, Director Petros Michelidakis reveals, while adding: the blue motion lounge had to be sacrificed too so that we could satisfy the demand from exhibitors for more space for their boats. The added value for visitors in 2018 is terrific. They will be able to see even more yachts than ever before.”
Trend sports will be causing a stir in the Beach World
For the first time, all the trend sports activities, i.e. information, advice and sales, are concentrated in Hall 8a with its 13,000 square metres of space directly at the northern entrance to the exhibition site. This has made it possible to lengthen the flat water pool by 15 metres and to increase the height of the wakeboard cable system. “THE WAVE” standing wave has also been optimised for the larger hall too.
Such well-known kite manufacturers as North Kiteboarding, ION, Airrush, Liquid Force and Brunotti will be represented at the Beach World.
Stars from the kite community will be providing first-hand information – as well as autographs – on the stage at the pool.
Even more space – even more action
The new pool now has even more space – 1,400 square metres – to try out the latest wakeboards and SUPs. Professional wakeboarders from the Liquid Force Team and from Wasserski Langenfeld will be performing their wakeboard show every day. Thanks to the new cable system and optimised kickers, there will be even higher jumps and even cooler tricks to watch now. The tow-in windsurfing show will be celebrating its absolute premiere at boot 2018. The higher 2.0 cable system and the extended pool (now 65 metres long) will enable freestyle windsurfers to demonstrate spectacular tricks in the first indoor tow-in show in the world.
It will also be exciting to see how the manufacturers present their new hydrofoil developments here. Which foils have advantages and disadvantages under what conditions? The experts will be answering these questions on the stage at the pool and will be carrying out an experiment in the pool too.
boot for kitesurfers
Kitesurfers can obtain information about their sport from such well-known manufacturers as North Kiteboarding, ION, Airrush and Brunotti and can buy products from last season in the same hall. And what kitesurfer is “only” a kitesurfer? Wakeboarding with a cable system is good way to train new moves in winter. Visitors can simply come to the pool and check in without prior registration. Swimming gear and a towel should be brought along; neoprene suits can be borrowed free of charge.
The Association of German Water Sports Schools (VDWS) is presenting a hydraulically operated kite simulator for kitesurfing beginners. So that they can try and experience jumping for themselves – pulled out of the water holding a bar, just like when kitesurfing at sea.
boot for wakeboarders
Wakeboarders will find boot 2018 to be very much to their liking too. The manufacturers Liquid Force, Hyperlite, Follow, Brunotti and Ronix are presenting their latest products. Wakeboards and accessories will be on sale in the retailers‘ section of Hall 8a.
Hall 9 full of motor boats
Hall 9 at boot has traditionally been where a wide range of motor boats is presented. There will be even more boats than ever before here too this year and all the major international manufacturers will be there. In addition to this, experts like the German Association of the Water Sports Industry and trade magazines from the industry will be available to give valuable tips about buying a new boat that even experienced motor boaters will benefit from.
Hall 10: START BOATING is an invitation to go for a virtual motor boat ride on the Rhine – motors, motors and more motors
The START BOATING stand in Hall 10 is the place for beginners to obtain tips. Initial experience can be gained under genuine conditions in a virtual motor boat ride on the Rhine to the exhibition site and the experts will be delighted to give good advice to the newcomers among the boat owners. Many smaller motor boats are on show here too, in addition to inflatable boats, jetskis and trailers. Inboard and outboard motors for boats are another central topic covered in this hall. The international market leaders with such illustrious names as Suzuki, Honda Yanmar, Volvo Penta (inboard motors) and Torqeedo (electric motors) will be presenting their products here.
Hall 11: technical equipment in all its different forms
Technical accessories in all their different forms for boats and yachts are being exhibited in Hall 11. Apart from navigation systems, radar equipment and mast manufacturers, this hall houses marina equipment, water sports clothing and the Refit Center, which is popular with DIY enthusiasts.
Hall 12: Beach Life shopping facilities – fun for children on three bouncy castles
They are back: there will in actual fact be three new bouncy castles for young (and older) children at boot 2018. A circus tent, a shark or a big Viking ship are an invitation to romp around in Hall 10. Parents can spend as long as they want enjoying the Beach Life shopping facilities – or they can register for the boot club in the lounge, use the WLAN there free of charge and relax with a cup of coffee.
Hall 13: book the holiday you have always dreamed of at boot
Hall 13 is the place to go for holidays by or on the water. A “river” 90 metres long is an invitation to try out paddling, while the most attractive destinations for water sports holidays are presented on the stage in the new Travel World. “Holidays on the Water” is an interesting new feature at boot. Not only houseboat suppliers but also chartering agencies can be found in Hall 13 at boot. Trips to the ideal destinations for water sports enthusiasts can be booked directly at the trade fair at the Reisebüro Albers Lufthansa City Center. The cruising market leader AIDA is represented at boot for the first time as well and is exhibiting a fully equipped cabin in Hall 13 – visitors are even allowed to try out the bed.
Hall 14: “Ostalgia” at the Classic Forum – sailing at the boot Sailing School – international marinas
Marinas, chartering companies and sailing schools focus on popular international sailing locations in Hall 14. The Elba sailing centre in picturesque Bagnaia Bay has, for example, been exhibiting at boot for as many as 30 years now. Children and sailing enthusiasts who are still young at heart can put their own hand on the tiller at the boot Sailing School pool. Huge wind machines make sure there is a stiff enough breeze to send the dinghies sailing across the water. Hundreds of schoolchildren every year are given an introduction to the secrets of the oceans and their inhabitants by experts from the Aquatic Life Centre in Düsseldorf in the maritime classroom in Hall 14. The water sports associations, which provide extensive information about sailing and motor boating on oceans, waterways and lakes and give all active boaters sound theoretical and practical advice can also be found in Hall 14. Gems from bygone times are on display in the Classic Forum, which is therefore the place for lovers of vintage yachts and sailing boats to go. This year something genuinely rare is being exhibited: a motor boat from what used to be East Germany. The boat was built in 1982 and was one of the few private boats that existed in East Germany at the time.
Halls 15 to 17: numerous premieres for sailing yachts 60 to 70 feet long
“A look into Halls 15 to 17 will make the heart of every sailor beat faster. We are expecting numerous boat premieres among the large 60- to 70-foot yachts too. The halls are absolutely packed”, Petros Michelidakis announces and adds: “We are currently recording substantial growth in the multihull boat field. Stimulated by a veritable boom in recreational sailing, interest in multihull models has increased by leaps and bounds too.” Current developments and trends like hydrofoils as well as fascinating reports by professional and blue water sailors will be presented on the sailing stage in Hall 15. Incorporated in 20 stands focussing on the different sailing classes, there will be over 200 items on the programme and more than 70 different speakers, who will be covering all the different facets of recreational sailing in the Sailing Center for nine days.
