Beat the Winter Blues at A Boat or Sports Program

For those not able to jet off to warmer climates, dreaming about the browse, sun and sand may be the only way to make it through the long winter months. For boat and outside enthusiasts, there’s a surefire way to treat the winter season blues: boat and sports programs.

U.S. boat and boating-related retail purchases totaled $30 billion in 2003 and this figure is growing rapidly. Seventy-two million individuals participate in leisure boating, more than the combined total of those who play golf or tennis, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Each year, the NMMA holds boat shows from coast to coast that are open to the public. At these programs, experienced beginners and boaters alike discover a friendly, unwinded atmosphere where professionals are on hand to offer impartial suggestions.

” Whether you’re a skilled sailor or someone who’s never ever been on a boat, we want you to come in here and feel the enjoyment of boating,” said Steve Tadd, director of NMMA’s Discover Boating program. “Boating is something you can get into at any point in your life. Whether you’re 8 or 80, we’re here to show you how much enjoyable you can have and how simple it can be.”

A lot of NMMA boat and sports shows offer family-oriented entertainment; some even verge on the spectacular – including water animal touch-tanks, sea lion shows, remote-control boat races and a host of interactive activities. Kids are confessed totally free or at greatly lowered prices to a lot of shows.

In addition, experts come by a lot of the programs to offer fishing workshops, instructions on boat repair, individually casting demonstrations for starting anglers and even scuba-diving lessons.

Here are some highlights of exhibits and tourist attractions at some of this winter season’s NMMA shows.

• Scuba diving: At select boat shows, visitors can take a dip in a tropically warm pool set up specifically for diving. All scuba fits and diving equipment are offered.
• Indoor lake: For the Toronto International Boat Show, the brand-new Ricoh Coliseum will be flooded with more than 1 million gallons of water, developing the world’s biggest indoor “marina.” Visitors can stroll the docks, board boats, relax, socialize and dine dockside. More than 50 boats will be moored on the lake, with live home entertainment daily.
• Women at the helm: This exhibition at choose programs is dedicated to supplying boating information to women, with the focus on boating as a family activity.
• Fishing workshops: From fly-fishing for trout to big-game fishing for marlin, many shows include exhibitions and workshops with angling ideas, devices and travel details.

” Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or someone who’s never ever been on a boat, we desire you to come in here and feel the excitement of boating,” said Steve Tadd, director of NMMA’s Discover Boating program. Whether you’re 8 or 80, we’re here to reveal you how much fun you can have and how simple it can be.”

Visitors can stroll the docks, board boats, relax, interact socially and dine dockside. More than 50 boats will be moored on the lake, with live entertainment daily.

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