Water sports and marine conservation: What visitors can expect at boot 2024
Gernot Apfelstedt
· 16.10.2023
"We have had very successful talks with manufacturers over the summer months and are experiencing great enthusiasm and anticipation for boot 2024. We will also be welcoming back brands that took a break this year in January," says Düsseldorf's Exhibition Director Wolfram Diener, describing the situation a quarter of a year before the opening of the world's largest yacht and water sports trade fair on 20 January 2024. This means that boot 2024 will reach the highest level, present a wide range of water sports and destinations and once again position itself as the world's leading trade fair for the industry." While the trade fair already made an exclamation mark on its comeback in January after a three-year forced break, it is now building on its excellent pre-pandemic result, according to Diener. In January 2020, 1911 exhibitors presented the world of water sports in a unique variety.
Diving at the boot in Düsseldorf
In addition to its core segment of boats and yachts of various types, shapes and sizes, diving is a pillar of boot. "Diving enthusiasts will find everything their hearts desire here and everyone who is anyone in the industry will be diving here. Instructors provide information on how to get started in underwater sports and advise on the purchase of suitable equipment or suitable diving destinations. You can then order and book directly at the trade fair from manufacturers, dealers and tour operators," says Christian Hruschka, responsible for diving, technology and tourism in the boot team. Those who want to get a taste of the open water before their first dive can dive into the beginners' pool. For more experienced divers with a licence, there is the futuristic diving tower. Petros Michelidakis, boot Director, adds: "Divers are a loyal fan community of boot and we have created a real paradise for them. In order to publicise the topic even further, boot has introduced the Dive Award this year, which is presented in the categories 'Personality', 'Climate', 'Product', 'Destination' and 'Innovation'. It is endowed with 3000 euros per category and is awarded every year on the stage of the Dive Centre."
Surfing as a trend
The trade fair is a trendsetter in surfing, always focussing on the latest sports on the water: wing and pump foiling as well as wingsurfing. Following the action-packed presentation of the sport in summer, for example at the Fehmarn Surf Festival sponsored by boot Düsseldorf, the pros will be showing what they can do in winter on a 60-metre-long pool in exhibition hall 17. If you want to try it out for yourself, you can book your personal surfing slot on the boot website from December.
Marine protection and sustainable technologies
For many years, boot has been an effective platform for the topics of marine protection and innovative, sustainable technologies. Following the successful launch at boot 2023, Messe Düsseldorf wants to further establish the blue innovation dock (bid) as a sustainability forum in cooperation with the European Boating Industry. Petros Michelidakis: "As a child of boot, the blue innovation dock is a real driver of innovation. We were already able to experience the ideas and technologies for water sports as well as for the operation of marinas and moorings on the bid stage at boot 2023. We are in the concrete planning stage of the programme and I am not promising too much when we are presented with a wealth of new developments in 2024, including alternative propulsion systems and sustainable boat building." In addition, the presentation of the prestigious "ocean tribute" award and the "love your ocean" campaign, organised jointly with the German Ocean Foundation, will once again bring two beacons for marine conservation on board.
- Further information: www.boot.de
