Full speed ahead – 58th Interboot gets ready to set sail

Around 500 exhibitors will present the entire spectrum of water sports – numerous boat brands to increase their presence

Water sports fans will once again be in their element from September 21 to 29 at the Interboot in Friedrichshafen. Around 500 exhibitors will present products, trends and innovations for the sailing, motorboat and leisure sports industries. With dinghies, daysailers, luxurious motor yachts, SUPs and wakeboards, the 58th water sports exhibition presents the entire spectrum of water sports. "We are very pleased that numerous boat brands such as Bavaria, Bénéteau, Jeanneau and Sealine are represented at the Interboot with more yachts than last year," explains Show Director Dirk Kreidenweiß.

Everything that water sports have to offer has a place at the Interboot: sailing and motor yachts in all sizes and models, electric boats, inflatable boats, dinghies, canoes, kayaks, kites, wakeboards, surfboards, engines, electronics, clothing and accessories are all on board. The offerings are rounded off by specialist lectures and test opportunities at the Trade Fair Lake and Lake Constance. The dinghy is versatile and indispensable for every larger yacht. This year, the Interboot is presenting this compact ship’s boat in Hall A2. With two new areas in Hall B3, the water sports fair is raising awareness of environmental issues: In the Green Power Area, everything revolves around sustainable and alternative propulsion on and around the water, while the Rethink Plastic Area focuses on protecting the oceans. If you are looking for a comfortable way to get around during shore leave, you will find what you are looking for in Hall A2: Electrically powered scooters and folding bikes are available for test drives on the test track.

Where there are boats, the boards are not far away

An Interboot without board sports: unthinkable. Hall B1 is all about SUP, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing and more. A real beach feeling can be found not only with the suppliers of leisure sports equipment but also at the beach bar. Those who like it action-packed shouldn’t miss the Interboot surf days: The standing wave in the five-meter-wide water basin promises pure fun and tests the skills and abilities of surf fans on their boards. Registration is not required. Boards and wetsuits are available. If you want to jump into the waves without a long wait, you can reserve a slot in advance for up to five people on weekends. The boards can be tested in the stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) pool with a paddle, but without big waves. Anyone who hasn’t gotten enough of trend and leisure sports during the regular opening hours of the Interboot and who would like to find a bargain or two should make a note of Thursday, September 26: Sunset Shopping is an attraction until 9 p.m. with surf and street style trends. And after shopping, it's a perfect time for a movie: Taking a seat and diving in is also an offering on Thursday evenings for everyone who loves the sea. At 8:30 p.m., the International Ocean Film Tour brings the beauty and fascination of the oceans to the big screen.

Paddling for paradise – the SUP Team Challenge

The participants of the SUP Team Challenge on Saturday, September 28 at the Interboot have a special goal in mind. In the SUP test pool in Hall B1 the teams will compete against their competitors in pairs. The winners will fly to the Caribbean next year to take part in the second British Virgin Islands SUP Challenge. For one week, the challenge will travel in stages of between 10 and 15 kilometers from island to island, amid fantastic beaches and turquoise blue water. If you would like to take up the challenge, you can contact us at www.interboot.de/sup to register.

Pure water sports fun on the Trade Fair Lake

Whether paddling, sailing or wakeboarding: On the Trade Fair Lake visitors can take a seat in canoes, kayaks and sailing dinghies or strap a wakeboard under their feet to practice overcoming various obstacles on the wakeboard machine. In the integrative mini-12 sailing boat, even young water sports enthusiasts won't miss out: The small boats are impossible to capsize or sink.

From relaxed to energetic – sporting highlights on Lake Constance

The events on Lake Constance have it all during the Interboot. On September 21 and 22, the trend sport of motosurfing will be presented in a demonstration race in front of the shoreline promenade. Here, top riders listed in the current world cup rankings will achieve spectacular speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour on wakeboards equipped with jets.

Also on the first weekend of the fair, the 15th Interboot Trophy will offer the public a first-class regatta competition. For the first time this year, the Lake Constance Battle will take place during the Interboot Trophy Station, when up to 40 boats of the J/70 class will sail across the starting line on September 21 and 22. The winner of the first day will also be the winner of the Antigua and Barbuda Challenge and will be able to enjoy a trip to the Antigua Sailing Week 2020. The regatta field is located immediately in front of the promenade in Friedrichshafen. In the marina of the Württemberg Yacht Club, the public can watch the boats as they make preparations and moor. The event is organized by the Württemberg Yacht Club.

“It's Race Time” is the motto of the second Interboot weekend from September 27 to 29. The motorboats will start out in three classes on a winding course marked by buoys. The race will be decided by best of five. The race course is located immediately in front of the outer pier of the Friedrichshafen harbor, so that the races can be followed live as if from a grandstand. Young people aged 14 to 16 can also get a taste of motorboat racing free of charge: Registration for the limited number of spots is required at www.mizu-cup.de.

The Interboot Marina – experience boats in their element

Sailing and motor boats can be experienced in their element and in maritime flair in the Interboot Marina. Almost 100 sailing and motor boats will be ready to set sail with potential customers. The marina will also offer ambiance and relaxation after sunset with a sundowner.

The classic boat pier will prove how beautiful classic boats are. The ships can be admired at the pier during the entire duration of the fair. The boat owners will also be on site to answer questions about their ships, technology and history. At the classic boat regatta of the Sailing and Motor Club Friedrichshafen (Segel- und Motorclubs Friedrichshafen) on Saturday, September 21, classic curves are what counts.

It’s just women who will drive the boats at the exclusive motorboat training organized in cooperation with the magazine “Boote.” Here, experienced skippers will pass on their experiences and practical tips. Registration at the magazine’s Interboot booth is required.

Lecture program by pros for pros – the Interboot Academy

Harbor maneuvers, VHF radio refresher courses by the former Royal Marine Peter G. Boot, or a radar/plotter seminar: The lectures and workshops offered during the Interboot Academy will provide a platform for water sports enthusiasts to get informed and exchange information. The theoretical knowledge that is learned will be supplemented by practical exercises. Sailing and motorboat trips during Sunset Sailing and Sunset Cruising on Lake Constance will create a very special atmosphere. Previous knowledge is not required. For these program items, which are subject to a fee, it is necessary to register at www.interboot.de/academy.

The International Water Sports Association Lake Constance e.V. (Internationale Wassersportgemeinschaft Bodensee e.V., IWGB) will be providing interesting information on the topic of "Fire on Board: From Prevention to Damage” as part of its Environment Day on September 28.

Cool moves and lots of fun – the Nissan Wakeboard Show

Whether front flip, side slide or Moby Dick: On September 28 and 29, things will pick up speed at the Trade Fair Lake when the pros from the Nissan Wakeboard Show perform their spectacular tricks.

Early practice at the Interboot Action Days

The new generation will get plenty of attention, too, at the Interboot. Young people between the ages of 12 and 16 can breathe in their fill of water sports air. On September 28 and 29, participants will be able to take the helm of a sailing or motor boat, test their skills on the wakeboard, try out stand-up paddling or go diving. Registration is required at www.interboot.de/actiondays.

Suisse@Interboot – the art of building boats from Switzerland

Precision and design can be found at the Swiss boat yards, which will present their art of boat building under the motto “Suisse@Interboot” in Hall A4, where they will hoist their red and white flags. Traditionally, Thursday at the Interboot is dedicated to Switzerland and, among other things, all Swiss visitors get free admission on that day.

Journeying far away at the Sailing and Travel Competence Center

The offerings in the Sailing and Travel Competence Center, the meeting point for sailors and motorboat fans in the Zeppelin Cat Hall A1, are just as diverse as those for sailing sports. In addition to the focus on hydrofoiling, the program will also focus on daysailer concepts, alternative sailing solutions and dream locations for the next cruise. Anyone who still needs information and tips for certain destinations will be able to receive free and objective advice at the charter and cruise consultation offered by the experts Michael Amme and Jürgen Strassburger.

The art of boat building from Lake Constance

The Lake Constance Boat Builders Association (Verband der Bodenseewerften) will present itself at a large joint booth. Here, visitors can get information from boat-building experts and admire the beauty of maritime classics. On the lecture stage, there will be daily presentations on technical topics given by professionals from the industry on all aspects of this maritime hobby.

Suitable fashion for water sports

The latest fashion and practical accessories for the water sports experience in any weather can be found in Halls A2, A3 and B1. Here, you can try on and buy a variety of maritime garments from well-known manufacturers – from bikinis to oilskins.

InterDive – insights under water

Anyone interested in the world of diving and snorkeling can get inspired by the latest trends and product innovations in diving, snorkeling and travel by visiting the InterDive exhibitors. For the seventh time now, the guest event in September will take place parallel to the Interboot – this year, for the first time, with an overlap of four days and a week later than usual, from Thursday, September 26 to Sunday, September 29. Further information is available at www.inter-dive.de.

Industry meeting up north – Hamburg Boat Show to be continued in October

At the same time, the Interboot team, together with the German Boat and Shipbuilders Association (Deutscher Boots- und Schiffbauerverband, DBSV) and the Hamburg Messe and Congress, are preparing the second edition of the Hamburg Boat Show. The Hamburg Boat Show will take place from October 23 to 27 at the Hanseatic city’s fairgrounds and will show the entire spectrum of water sports in the far north. The lecture and seminar program will be further expanded and numerous well-known water sports brands will present themselves across 30,000 square meters of exhibition space. Highlights of the fair will again include the large promenade jetties with sailing and motor boats as well as the SUP test pool.  More information is available at www.hamburg-boat-show.de.

Opening hours and prices

The Interboot will present the entire world of water sports from Saturday, September 21 to Sunday, September 29, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Interboot Marina will invite visitors to enjoy a pleasant sundowner until 7 p.m. daily. The day ticket costs 11 euros online and 13 euros at the box office. The family ticket is available online for 27 euros, at the box office for 30 euros. Children between the ages of six and fourteen pay 5 euros.

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