TRAVEL
Dive Into Europe: The BOOT German Show Report – by Peter Symes, Publisher, X-Ray Magazine
The European dive scene is very much alive and vibrant, with plenty of interest- ing and nicely organised events to attend. Europe comprises 44 countries, of which 28 have coastlines along the sea. Many of
eral new liveaboards, and the vessels appeared to be getting bigger and more luxurious, with some being very spacious superyachts with interiors and services like five-star hotels. Several of these new liveaboards are also embarking on new itineraries in Asia and opening up new reefs in the Saudi Ara- bian Red Sea archipelago. What also stood out was the Gal- lipoli Historical Underwater Park, which had arguably the best-looking and structured booth in the dive halls. The park features war wrecks from the famous battle around the Dar-
these have their own dive communities and events. My last count stood at around 20 events. The most significant is the German Boat Show, Boot, which is the biggest marine show and most prominent public dive show in the world.
danelles during World War I. (Dardanelles is the strait that connects the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.) Boot is superbly well-organised and is streamlined German efficiency at its best. As Boot is a nine-day event, it is best for a visiting dive industry professional seeking to network to come midweek, which is much quieter, and avoid the weekends
Boot show is truly a unique beast. It is attended by over 200,000 visitors, a third of them from abroad. Seventeen large ex- hibit halls are crammed with everything and anything related to water, from billion- aire mega yachts to swimwear, and, of course, diving. I didn’t see much new dive equipment.
BOOT, Düsseldorf Germany
Most gear has long since reached a level of technological maturity that only leaves minor refinements and new fashion styles to be applied. With a few exceptions, masks, fins, wet- suits, BCDs and more are mostly the same as last year, per- haps with new colours and different panels. Dive operators from all over the world attend with many from the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Asia. There were sev-
when the public fills the halls. Boot can also be quite a fun event – especially after 1800 hrs (6 p.m.), when the show of-
ficially closes and the exhibitors let loose, get out the beer and wine, crank up the boom boxes and party a little. Lots of exhibitors stay as late as 11 p.m. to socialize.
email Peter
!
!"#$%&'()*+,*-$./(* !"#$%%& 00* # 122* !"#$%&''$(%)*+%,-% .+'#$%,/0%123%
!"#$%&#'($)"*(#$)'++ !
• ! !"#$%&'($$)*+,&'-$%'./0'1,"#&#' • ! 2'3+4'56&7'.2'896:' • ! ;,<,%='>??$@@$:9&6$A#' • ! 1$,%@"&'B"9C#' • ! ;,<,%='D@9CC'1%$,E'F6G6AH' • ! DE"?69C'36I69A'J6H7&''56&7'K9G9'' 9A:'("9?7'($AL%"' • ! 8C,#' !"##$%&'"() M'
,'* - ./0 12 $ 3-4 !
!!!"#$%&%'()(*+),"-(,.
!"#$% & ! '( )*+,*-. / $ 0 .
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker