New attractions and even more opportunities to get active yourself: at boot Düsseldorf 2027, surfing is moving into Hall 12. With an XXL pool extended to 65 meters, a new bi-level skim board course and the Surf Academy, this will become the new home of the international surfing and board sports scene for nine days. Together with the new canoe channel and the high-rope climbing park, Hall 12 will become the action hub of boot 2027. Top international athletes, four world-class competitions and a significantly expanded range of hands-on activities will attract water sports fans, professionals and anyone keen to try out board sports from 23 to 31 January 2027.
Hall 12: Watch, try out and experience it for yourself
Hall 12 is being designed as the ‘Action Hall’ for boot Düsseldorf 2027 and will be complemented by the newly designed canoe channel, which winds picturesquely around an island, and the popular high-rope climbing course. With the merger of Surfing and the World of Paddling, Hall 12 will be transformed into a meeting place for outdoor enthusiasts and those interested in action sports at boot 2027. Surfing specialist and organizer Andrea Hoeppner is delighted: “This marks a logical next step in the development of boot Düsseldorf’s surfing section. At the heart of it all is the XXL pool, which will be extended to 65 meters in 2027, providing an even bigger stage for both international competitions and numerous hands-on activities for visitors. Here, once again, visitors will experience surfing at its very best.” Right next to the pool, the new bi-level skim board track provides additional action and more opportunities to show off or practice spectacular tricks. At the Surf Academy, beginners can try out different surfing disciplines and receive practical tips to get started in the various surfing sports.
For the first time in 2027, surfing and paddling will be housed in a single hall at boot. boot Director Petros Michelidakis: “With the pool and the paddling course, we’ve now brought two real boot hotspots together in one hall. The surf pool appeals to the more action-hungry fans, whilst things are a bit more laid-back in the new paddling channel. I’m delighted that we’ve once again managed to create a cool atmosphere that simply makes you want to have fun in the water.”
The new canoe channel in the ‘World of Paddling’ in Hall 12 forms a circuit around a picturesquely designed island, eliminating the need to turn at the channel’s two corners. This means that paddlers in their canoes and kayaks don’t get in each other’s way and can enjoy their trip even more. Those who prefer to aim high will find another sporting challenge in the high-rope climbing course.
Hall 12 thus combines water sports, action and adventure in one place, offering a varied program of things to watch and take part in throughout the entire duration of the trade fair.
More time on the water for beginners and pros alike
With water sports, action and relaxation, Hall 12 offers a varied program of things to watch and take part in throughout the entire duration of the trade fair. The opportunity for visitors to try their hand on the water has been part of the boot Düsseldorf concept for many years. In 2027, this offering will be significantly expanded. For beginners, even more slots will be available for pump foiling, wake boarding, SUP, windsurfing and skim boarding throughout the nine-day fair.
For experienced water sports enthusiasts, there will be a new offering in 2027: ‘Train with a Pro’. In exclusive sessions with small groups of participants, advanced and expert athletes will train alongside proven professionals from the sports of wakeboarding, windsurfing, pump foiling and skimboarding. The focus will be on personalized tips, direct feedback and working on individual technique. In this way, boot brings its visitors even closer to the stars of the scene.
Four competitions featuring world-class sport over two weekends
Alongside the expanded range of hands-on activities, top-class international sport remains a central part of the program: on both trade fair weekends, Hall 12 will become a competition arena for some of the best athletes on the international surfing and board sports scene.
On 23 and 24 January 2026, the first ‘boot’ weekend, the SFT Indoor Pump Foil World Cup and the World Skim Board Masters are on the program. On the XXL pool and the new bi-level skim board course, international competitors from all over the world will battle it out for the titles.
On the second weekend, on 30 and 31 January, wakeboarders and windsurfers will take over the pool: the international scene will gather in Düsseldorf for the Pooltastic Wakeboard Masters. At the FPT Indoor Tow-In Freestyle, the stars of the freestyle windsurfing scene will showcase their most spectacular maneuvers. Thanks to the extended XXL pool, athletes will have even more space available for their runs in 2027.
Surfing knowledge, stars and trends on the Pool Stage
Away from the competitions, the Pool Stage in Hall 12 offers a varied program centered on the world of surfing and board sports throughout the entire boot event. Visitors can find out about the various disciplines, the latest developments and new products. During expert talks with the stars of the surfing scene, professionals will share insights into their sport, discuss their experiences and answer questions from the audience.
Another key focus is e-foiling. With an extensive range of electrically powered foilboards, boot is embracing yet another area of modern water sports and offering those interested the chance to find out about products, technology and developments.
Michelidakis: “The move to Hall 12 further emphasizes what makes water sports at the fair so special: experiencing world-class athletes up close, discovering new trends and, above all, getting actively involved yourself.” Right next door in Hall 13, everything revolves around diving, including, of course, hands-on experiences in the pools and the diving tower. And in Hall 15, the boot Sailing School invites visitors to climb aboard its small sailing boats for their first trip on the sailing basin.
Further information on the hands-on program and registration will be available from early December at www.boot.com.
Affordable accommodation in your own campervan at the Surf Festival Camp on P1 at boot 2027
For just €25 per night (plus €3 city tax per night), all water sports enthusiasts with their own campervan can stay affordably at the Surf Festival Camp on car park P1 (CARAVAN CENTER) at boot 2027, right next to the exhibition grounds, and make use of the free shuttle buses. Shower facilities, water and electricity are available on site. A range of delicious breakfast and dinner options are also available in the heated marquee.
The world's largest yacht and water sports fair
With more than 200,000 visitors from over 100 countries and nearly 1,500 exhibitors in Halls 1 to 17, boot Düsseldorf is the world's largest yacht and water sports fair. Both sailors and motor boaters will find a wide variety of boats, dinghies, superboats or super yachts. The popular water sports of diving, surfing, kite surfing, stand up paddling, skimboarding or canoeing are available at boot in all facets and with the appropriate equipment. Attractive stage programs with the stars of the scene, the latest trends and a high-caliber mix of workshops and hands-on activities, both for leisure sports enthusiasts and experts, make the fair unique worldwide. But marine conservation and innovative, sustainable technologies will also be in focus at boot 2027. In cooperation with the European Boating Industry (EBI), for example, the blue innovation dock offers a unique dialogue format with political, economic, technological and media expertise. The next edition of boot Düsseldorf will open its doors from 23 to 31 January 2027. www.boot.com
