The Southampton International Boat Show has welcomed Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, as special guest.
The Princess Royal, Princess Anne met several exhibitors, British Marine representatives, young designers, apprentices, and key manufacturers at a private reception.
The show was opened by American reality television series Below Deck Sailing Yacht’s Captain Glenn Shephard who joined British Marine president Robert Parton, president elect Lyndsay McClay, CEO Lesley Robinson, and chair Matthew Beckwith, alongside the Lord Mayor of Southampton Dave Shields and council leader Lorna Fielker.
“Everyone at British Marine has made it their mission to make the show an occasion that gives everyone the opportunity to get the most out of the water, and we think we’ve done just that with a whole host of new features and attractions, alongside the returning fan-favourites,” said Robert.
Alongside the ribbon cutting ceremony, over on the water, wingfoiling national champion (2022 and 2023), Hugo Dobrijevic, also marked the opening of the show with his foiling stunts.
Key highlights of the 2024 edition of the show include more than 600 exhibitor stands and berths, together with 650 craft of all shapes and sizes – the largest being the Princess X95.
2024 sees an expanded Watersports Lake, which is sponsored by Towergate Insurance and has grown by more than 100sqm and has 30% more activity sessions available for paddleboarding and kayaking.
The show’s social hub, the Shipyard sponsored by GAC Pindar, will be open until 9pm on both Saturdays with Symphonic Ibiza will play at the closing party on 21 September.
Other features include live sporting broadcasts such as the America’s Cup and other international sports and an on the water stage show.
The Foredeck Stage will host a range of speakers including four-time Paralympian Hannah Stodel, yacht designer Tony Castro, Maiden skipper, Heather Thomas and yachtsman, adventurer, entrepreneur and the first person to sail non-stop, ‘the wrong way’ round the world, Sir Chay Blyth.
2024 will also see more than 1,300sqm of chandlery space.
