It felt rather strange to step aboard an international flight a couple of weeks ago – it’s been over three years since my last… The destination was Australia, to attend the Sydney International Boat Show (SIBS), an event that can only be judged as a great success, especially after it was cancelled two years running due to the pandemic.
That the show attracted 45,000 visitors and many hundreds of exhibitors is an indication that, after years of disruptions, there as here, things are getting back to some sort of normal. To be honest, there was little evidence of public concern on the streets of Sydney – or among show exhibitors and patrons – around the (very real) risks of contracting COVID-19, which continues to circulate strongly in both countries. Most people behaved as though nothing was amiss, with nary a face mask in sight.
However, I have to say SIBS was a much more enjoyable event for being so ‘normal’, further aided by some glorious weather and the superb Darling Harbour venue. Andrew Howard shares his impressions of the Sydney show in this issue.
Arriving back in Auckland in the early hours of Saturday morning – our flight was delayed both ways, as every flight seemed to be – we were confronted with a seething mass of passengers waiting to be processed through customs. With eight flights arriving within minutes of one another, only four officers on duty checking arrival forms, and every item of luggage passing through the x-ray machines, it took 90 minutes to finally exit the airport. Things are clearly not back to normal when it comes to international travel!
The Sydney show did whet my appetite for what’s new and coming our way soon – many of the boats we saw in Sydney are bound for New Zealand or have New Zealand owners. And while the Aussie industry heavyweights Maritimo and Riviera were notably absent, as was French boat giant Jeanneau, there was still plenty of new and exciting stuff to experience. Judging by visitor numbers and the comments of exhibitors and show patrons alike, Australians are at least as interested in boating as New Zealanders, good numbers of whom had crossed the ditch to attend the show, which also featured exhibits by New Zealand marine companies.
That level of interest augurs well for the Auckland Boat Show coming up early next year. Like Sydney, Auckland’s show has been on hold for several years, but the Marine Industry Association yesterday announced the dates and the venue.
The Auckland Boat Show – A Festival on the Water 2023 is confirmed for March 23-26, 2023. The new show venue is Hamer Street, Westhaven for on-land exhibits, home of the 2020-21 America’s Cup bases, and Jellicoe Harbour for the on-water marina display that gives the Auckland show its special flavour.
The new dates fall within daylight saving summer hours and the event should enjoy settled weather at that time of year. With luck, New Zealand will be completely free of restrictions by then, and after a three-year hiatus, Kiwi boaters will embrace the opportunity to once again see the latest and greatest in boats, equipment and lifestyle in the heart of Auckland.
Happy boating,
John Eichelsheim Editor
