Trade fair preview: Water sports up close at Interboot 2023 on Lake Constance
Gernot Apfelstedt
· 26.09.2023
The 62nd edition of Interboot will mark the end of an era at the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre on 1 October 2023. Since the first independent Water sports exhibition in 1962, it ran for nine days and two weekends. From 2024, following the clear vote of current and former exhibitors, it will only last five days. About the Reasons for shortening the term we have already reported. No wonder that the team led by project manager Felix Klarmann is pulling out all the stops once again for the last nine-day edition and showing the entire spectrum that Interboot has stood for for decades.
One Participation fair which makes it possible to experience water sports up close: surfing on the standing wave, balance acts in the SUP test pool, trial sailing on the exhibition lake, trailer training on the outdoor area, women's sailing training on Lake Constance, lots of exciting and informative lectures, the Interboot Academy workshops and, above all, a top-class boat programme with numerous premieres presented by well-known manufacturers and dealers: Sea Ray is announcing 16 models, including the SPX 190, also as an outboard version, the SPX 210 and the SLX 260.
Swiss exhibitors will also be showing a wide variety of products. Kibag AG, for example, has announced twelve models this time, four each from the imported brands Grandezza (including the première of the 30 CA), Cobalt and Karel. Also under the label Suisse@Interboot Pro Nautik will be presenting a Delphia 10 Sedan, a Bavaria SR 33 HT and a Jeanneau Cap Camarat 9.0 WA Series 2, among others. Local hero Boots-Center Fröhlich from Lindau, like Boote Pfister and Europe Marine, is one of the largest and most loyal exhibitors at Interboot. Fröhlich is bringing eleven boats from its brands Regal Boats, VTS Boats and Ventura Boats to Friedrichshafen.
The Interboot harbour
The Friedrichshafen water sports exhibition's strongest asset only made a modest comeback in 2022, partly due to the extremely low and unpredictable water level of Lake Constance. In 2023, the Häfler trade fair organisers want to Unique selling point revitalise the Interboot more noticeably. A large number of boats invite visitors interested in buying to test drive them. Together with the Württemberg Yacht Club (WYC), the internationally advertised 18th Interboot Trophy takes place. The regatta field is located directly in front of Friedrichshafen's waterfront promenade and is easily visible to the public. A "walk-in pit lane" in the WYC harbour makes it possible to look over the shoulders of the sailors as they prepare. One of the highlights of the harbour programme after a four-year break is the popular Motorboat training "exclusively for women".
Trailer training
Boat owners who want to bring their boat to the harbour with a trailer and launch it should be able to control their vehicle and manoeuvre it correctly. Anyone who still feels unsure or simply wants to practise can do so on the open-air site under the expert guidance of professionals.
- Reservation under www.interboot.de/trailertraining
Interboot Academy
This is where like-minded people can exchange experiences and tips. Experts share their knowledge about Electronic navigation , Radar , VHF radio , Port manoeuvres and more in theory and practice.
- Information on the seminars and workshops at www.interboot.de/academy
SUP Team Challenge
On 1 October, it's time to paddle for all you're worth. The fastest team of two to master the skills course in the SUP test pool in Hall A5 can look forward to a paradise-like prize - a dream paddle trip to be precise. Last time, the winners travelled to the British Virgin Islands for a week in the Caribbean on a luxury catamaran with plenty of SUPs on board. Anyone aged 18 and over can take part.
- Teams of two can register at www.interboot.de/sup-team
Hall A5 is all about fun sports. Here, action fans can not only buy trendy water sports equipment such as wing foils, they can also test one or two "toys" on site. If you're in the mood for adrenaline and want to experience that Atlantic feeling in Friedrichshafen, the Interboot Surf Days offer you the opportunity to train your skills, body control and sense of balance on the five-metre-wide "standing wave" with a rental board. Those who prefer a more leisurely pace will find an attractive alternative in the SUP pool. Anyone who wants to test their balance on the water can grab a board and a paddle and cruise through the test pool.
- Further information: www.interboot.de/surfdays
InterDive
From 21 to 24 September 2023, Hall B5 will host a stand-alone exhibition for the 11th time. Diving, snorkelling and travel fair with over 150 exhibitors and a wide range of offers including a stimulating stage programme - on 23 and 24 September parallel to Interboot. Anyone wishing to visit both Interboot and InterDive must purchase a separate ticket for each trade fair. There is no combined ticket in the conventional sense for both trade fairs this year. However, at the Purchase of an InterDive ticket (online only) with the confirmation e-mail a discount code that can be used in the Interboot ticket shop can be used for a discounted ticket. The opening hours of InterDive vary daily: Thursday 12 to 7 pm, Friday 12 to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.
- Detailed information: www.inter-dive.de
International Ocean Film Tour
The 9th edition of the International Ocean Film Tour will make a stop at Interboot on Friday, 29 September at 6 p.m., taking the audience into the world of the oceans with its various short films. The programme includes sporting highlights and current contributions on the subject of marine conservation. There will be a film about a 17-year-old blind surfer from Munich, about Gambian fishermen who are struggling with overfishing off the West African coast, and about three activists who are campaigning for the protection of the oceans and their flora and fauna.
- Detailed information: www.interboot.de/die-interboot/ocean-film-tour
At the joint stand in Hall A3, interested visitors can find out more about training as a boat builder, among other things. The Travemünde Vocational College, for example, will be there with an activity programme for potential trainees. Boatbuilding experts will be on hand to pass on their knowledge, and the beauty of maritime classics can also be admired. Specialist lectures on the floating hobby will be held daily on the lecture stage.
BOATS
As last year, you will find us together with our colleagues from YACHT and Delius Klasing Verlag in Hall A4. In addition, after a four-year break, we will once again be occupying our BOOTE tent in the Interboot harbour on Lake Constance. For a special reason: Our "Motorboat training by women for women" in cooperation with Messe Friedrichshafen and Boote Pfister is celebrating its comeback after a corona-related break. Our marquee is the meeting point for the approximately one-hour boat trips every day from 10.30 am. Women can register there (as well as at stand A4-403 on the exhibition grounds) for the Training rides register. We look forward to your visit to the hall and harbour.
What can be found where at the 62nd Interboot?
- A2: VIP parking; Ocean Film Tour on Friday, 29 September 2023
- A3: Sailing boats, sailing yachts, equipment, Association of Lake Constance Shipyards, class associations, clubs
- A4: IBN action area, technical accessories, equipment, clothing, publishers, associations, authorities, young sailors, Delius Klasing withBOATS and YACHT
- A5: Board & trend sports, SUP test pool, "standing wave", beach bar, social wall
- B1: Motorboats, motor yachts, Suisse@Interboot (Switzerland)
- B2Motorboats, motor yachts, wakeboard boats, motors, trailers
- B3: Motorboats, motor yachts, inflatable boats, motors, trailers, green area
- B5: InterDive , separate diving and travel trade fair from 21 to 24 September 2023
- Foyer West: Maritime art, maritime travelling, Charter & cruise advice , Sailing & Travel Competence Centre
- Outdoor area: Sailboats, motorboats, trailers, Trailer training , Board & trend sports equipment
- Messe-See: Test area: trial sailing, canoes, kayaks, shows and demos
- Exhibition harbour on Lake Constance: Test drives with sailboats, motorboats and e-boats, BOOTE women's driving training , Regattas, Sunset Cruising , Sunset Sailing
Motorboat training for women
It was a perennial favourite, the Motorboat training by women for women during the Interboot. A joint campaign by Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre , Boats Pfister and BOOTE editorial team. It has been held 16 times in a row since its premiere in 2004. The last time was in 2019, when Corona came along. Activities that allow visitors to experience water sports up close inevitably disappeared from the trade fair programme due to regulations.
The pandemic is history. And so it is high time to relaunch this unique offer, where initial fears and inhibitions (due to a lack of practice) regularly turn into self-confidence and feelings of happiness. The free taster sessions last about an hour and are organised as usual by the experienced trainer Anja Schult accompanied. A driving licence is not required. Interested women can register on site: both on the exhibition grounds at the Delius Klasing publishing stand in Hall A4 and in the Interboot harbour at the BOOTE tent. Anyone wishing to secure a place in the cockpit of the "women's boat" in advance can register from 18 September via theCampaign mobile phone 0174 1481154 book an appointment (daily from 10.30 a.m.). To mark the comeback, our partner from the very beginning, Boote Pfister in Schwebheim near Schweinfurt, is providing us with a special boat: a powerfulSaxdor 270 GTO.
Personalised cruise advice
A service offered at the 62nd Interboot by two recognised travel experts is invaluable and yet free of charge. At the Charter and cruise advice of the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre Michael Amme and Jürgen Strassburger in the Foyer West, the centre for maritime travel, will share their wealth of experience daily from 10.30 a.m. with anyone who wants to prepare for a boating holiday. Jürgen Straßburger, the former head of the BOOTE travel centre, will focus primarily on the following areas: Inland waters, rivers, lakes and canals in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and the Danube as far as Budapest; German Baltic Sea and North Sea; Mediterranean coastal waters: Croatia, Spain including the Balearic Islands, France and Greece. While Jürgen Strassburger primarily caters to motorboat drivers, Michael Amme focuses on sailing trips in a wide variety of areas, including overseas. Appointment booking via the Interboot website is recommended.
Times, prices, travel, accommodation etc.
Opening hours
23 September to 1 October 2023. Exhibition grounds: Saturday and Sunday on both weekends 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Interboot harbour: Saturday and Sunday on both weekends 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission prices
We recommend buying tickets from the trade fair's online ticket shop. If you do this, you can save up to €5. The following online tickets are available via the web address www.interboot.de/tickets The prices at the box office on site are shown in brackets: day ticket €14 (€18), 2-day ticket, valid for one person on any two days, €20 (€25), family ticket (parents with all children aged 6 to 14) €31 (€36). Reduced day tickets at €11 (€13) for pupils, students, trainees, pensioners and people with disabilities. Children from 6 to 14 years €5 (€6), children under 6 years free. There are also combined tickets that include return travel on the catamaran (Constance/Friedrichshafen), the ferry (Romanshorn/Friedrichshafen) and the Bodo (Bodensee-Oberschwaben Verkehrsverbund) as well as admission to the trade fair.
Parking
VIP parking in Hall A2: 59 € (online only). In addition to convenient, covered parking in the centre of the trade fair, the ticket includes admission for the driver and co-driver as well as an Interboot gift.
Normal visitor car parks: Online 5 € (on site 6 €).
- Detailed information on all tickets: www.interboot.de/besucher/online-tickets
Journey
Whether per Car , Aeroplane , Railway , Long-distance bus , Rental car , Local transport or Taxi The Interboot website has tips for all options. Flight connections are available with Lufthansa via Frankfurt am Main, for example. Current information can be found on the homepage of Friedrichshafen Airport: www.bodensee-airport.eu
Free shuttle bus
The"MesseExpress" line MX takes Interboot visitors from the city railway station and harbour station (ferry pier) to the exhibition grounds and back. For the stop, see the exhibition centre map (above). The MX line is also an ideal feeder service to the Interboot harbour. It is only a 5-minute walk from the harbour station to the jetties. The timetable for the Messe-Express can be found at www.interboot.de/anreise-unterkunft/anreise/nahverkehr available for download. Simply click on MESSEEXPRESS (LINIE MX) under "Public transport to the exhibition centre" and the timetable will be downloaded automatically as a PDF.There is no longer a separate shuttle service exclusively between the exhibition centre and the port.
Accommodation
TheTourist Information Friedrichshafen will help you find a room: Phone 07541-203 55-402 or -411, alternatively the Enquiry form on the Interboot Homepage (travel & accommodation). Hotel offers are available via the link www.friedrichshafen.de/tourismus/uebernachten/hotelangebote to find. See also the tourism portals www.friedrichshafen.info and www.bodensee.eu
WLAN free of charge
Visitors, exhibitors and journalists have free Internet access throughout the exhibition centre when they register with the WLAN network "HotSpot trade fair".
- Further information on the various subject areas, the List of exhibitors a List of goods a Brand directory which Boat list which Motor list as well as the multifaceted supporting programme of the 62nd International Watersports Exhibition Friedrichshafen: www.interboot.de
