The weather was fair and the sun shone down brilliantly on the crowds attending the inaugural Suzuki sponsored, Powerboat & RIB Show, staged in Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays retail and leisure complex.

A total number of 75,700 people visited Gunwharf Quays over the course of the three days, (Friday: 20,800, Saturday: 31,700 Sunday: 23,200,) whereupon visitors not only found all manner of marine exhibits throughout the various boulevards and walkways but also some 7000 visited the event pontoons, with many taking up the opportunity of getting out on the water aboard the many exhibits afloat.

The queues of people wanting to avail themselves of the Suzuki RIB Experience were such that the company stated they could have doubled their capacity and still not been able to keep pace with public demand. Sales and serious enquiries of boats were encouraging too with companies such as Ribquest, X-Pro Defender, Coastal-Pro, Ribeye, C-Fury, Arctic Blue, Excel, Landau Marine and Raymarine all being amongst those reporting healthy commerce over the course of the three day show.

“We see Gunwharf Quays as being the UK’s premier waterside leisure complex and hence, with 9.5 million people streaming through its gates each year, it affords an unrivalled opportunity for the marine industry to meet new people”, states Hugo Montgomery-Swan, PBR Show Organiser and MD. “Traditional boat shows are continuing to suffer in the UK and it is the growing view of many that the old show model no longer is effective at introducing fresh faces into the fold. Our business plan is therefore all about taking the show to the people whilst at the same time providing a worthwhile and valuable show for those who are already keen boating enthusiasts and serious buyers. We have to introduce new people into boating and we believe this open format with its free entry, set within a high volume, high quality, public orientated venue such as Gunwharf Quays, is the way forward”.

The overwhelming feedback resulting from the Powerboat & RIB Show was that this is a national event of huge potential and already plans are afoot for a show with even more features and an even greater exhibitor list in 2013.

Twenty-seven-year-old leukaemia survivor Oliver Rofix is all set to begin his fundraising activities in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Suzuki-sponsored Powerboat & RIB Show, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, from 11-13 May 2012.

In advance of his new challenge – ‘Jolly Olly’s RIB Quest’, which will commence in May 2013 – Olly is on a mission to visit as many high profile marine events as possible to raise awareness for his cause.

Olly’s 2013 challenge will see the Suffolk-based sailor circumnavigate the entire UK and outer islands in a Rigid Inflatable Boat – a journey which will see him complete 45 individually sponsored legs, travel over 3000 miles and visit some of the most remote parts of the British Isles, all in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. The 2013 event follows on from Olly’s 2011 journey around the UK in his 18ft sailing boat ‘Jolly Olly’ – an eight-month adventure planned while he was recovering from the life-saving bone marrow transplant that took place just days after his 21st birthday.

Asked why he had chosen the Powerboat & RIB Show to launch the run-up to his 2013 event, Olly explained: “It’s an exciting new show that opens up the marine world to the general public at a fantastic location – it is expected that over 80,000 people will attend this free show, so it will be the perfect platform to tell my story, raise awareness of the incredible work the charity does, whilst fundraising for a great cause. I’m very grateful to show organiser Hugo Montgomery-Swan and his team for sponsoring my space there.”

Show visitors will get a first glimpse of Olly’s new Cabin RIB, sponsored by Ribquest, which will be used throughout his round-UK challenge. However, as Olly is going to have an active input into the interior design of the cabin which will be his home for four months next year, the RIB will not be fully completed until after the weekend’s event. Olly explained: “Being involved in the RIB layout adds to the adventure; I’m very excited about seeing the RIB for the first time and it will be great to see what I am going to be living on throughout my challenge.”

More information on Jolly Olly’s RIB Quest 2013, plus details on how to donate funds or sponsor Olly, can be found at www.ollysribquest.com

SOME of the biggest names in the marine industry have signed up to appear at the Powerboat and RIB Show sponsored by Suzuki in Portsmouth this May.

Raymarine, Garmin, Yamaha, Ribeye and Navico are just some of the brands that have confirmed their attendance, along with Suzuki, which will have a strong presence on land and on the water.

Among the powerboat and RIB manufacturers exhibiting craft at the Powerboat and RIB Show at Gunwharf Quays from May 11 to 13 will be Ribquest, X-Pro Defender, Skua, Ribeye, Piranha RIBs, Shakespeare Boats, C-Fury, Arctic Blue, Hysucat, Azure RIBs, Brig RIBs and Parker RIBs.

Some of the companies representing the electronics market will include Raymarine, Garmin, Icom and Navico.

The show will also see exhibitors from overseas setting up shop, including Arctic Blue from Norway, Paragon/Nimbus from Scandinavia and Vector Marine from North America.

Others already confirmed for the event also include You Boat Chandlers, RIB Shack Marine, Vector Marine, EP Barrus, MRL, Wolf Rock Marine, Landau Marine, Coastal Pro and Advanced Policing Skills.

Organiser, Hugo Montgomery-Swan, said: “What is clear already is that this year’s show will have a wide range of exhibitors selling not just RIBs and powerboats but also many of the other vital associated products. This will make for a very well-rounded show for visitors, who will be able to pick up everything they need to start the spring season in one place.”

More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the Powerboat and RIB Show, which is free to visit for the first time in its new venue this year.

The family-friendly event, sponsored by Suzuki, will provide plenty to see and do - including the chance to get out on the water and experience free powerboat rides in the Solent courtesy of Suzuki the show's title sponsor.

Disability sports ambassador Geoff Holt MBE’s new 9m Cheetah catamaran powered by two Suzuki 300hp outboards will be on show at the event. Wetwheels is Geoff’s latest project which enables fellow wheelchair users to get out on the water for a powerboat experience.

Visitors will be able to trial boats for sale at the marina and take advantage of the outlet shopping, restaurants and entertainment venues that Gunwharf Quays has to offer.

Exhibitor space is still available for the Powerboat and RIB Show and any companies interested in booking a stand should contact the Powerboat and RIB Show on 01884 266100.

Suzuki is motoring into 2012 with the announcement of its sponsorship of The Powerboat and RIB Show.

The free-to-visit event, which will be held at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth from May 11 to 13, is expected to attract more than 80,000 people. Among the attractions will be a wide selection of RIBs, powerboats and associated products for sale, the opportunity to trial boats on the open water and free Suzuki RIB rides.

Gareth Lumsdaine, Sales and Marketing Manager for Suzuki GB’s Marine Division, said:

“Suzuki is proud to sponsor The Powerboat and RIB Show in this very exciting year of change and we are looking forward to a great show. It has always been a fantastic event and fits perfectly with our exhibition strategy of focusing on shows where customers can get out on the water and try our range of lightweight and fuel-efficient four stroke outboard motors.”

Organiser, Hugo Montgomery-Swan, added: “I am delighted to have such a great name like Suzuki affiliated with the show. Its support of the marine industry is to be commended and I know The Powerboat and RIB Show, with its tens of thousands of expected visitors, will provide real return on Suzuki’s sponsorship.”

Suzuki will have a major presence at the show including the Suzuki RIB Experience, which will offer free RIB rides to show visitors. Amongst the Suzuki powered boats will also be Wetwheels, which is a 9m Cheetah catamaran powered by two Suzuki 300hp outboards. Wetheels is the latest project by disabled sailor Geoff Holt MBE and will enable fellow wheelchair users to get out on the water for a powerboat experience as well.

Exhibitor space is still available for The Powerboat and RIB Show and any companies interested in booking a stand should contact The Powerboat and RIB Show on 01884 266100.