By: Khanyisani Dlomo

 One of Durban’s most popular annual winter attractions, the Durban International Boat and Lifestyle Show lived up to expectations with three days of splendid weather gracing the Durban Marina.

The boating and aquatic show – which started on Friday and ended on Sunday – wowed more than 11 000 visitors who ventured down to the friendly city to celebrate the eleventh edition and enjoy its all-year-round balmy weather.

Exhibitors could be seen displaying everything from fishing boats, marine clothing, fishing rods, navigation instrumentation and catamarans to safety equipment. In the lifestyle section, there was leisure clothing, camping equipment, off-road vehicles, to adventure sports displays and quad bikes.

Port Shepstone’s Caroline Pillay, who attended the show for the first time, said if one wants the latest boats, the Durban Marina is where one should be.

“I couldn’t find the Automatic Boat System on the Internet but I found it here. It was a very knowledgeable show. The prices are reasonable,” said Pillay.

“I have seen the boat I wanted to buy and it costs about R344 000. I’m definitely buying it this week. I should be finalising everything on Wednesday,” Pillay said excitedly. She added that she will used it “mostly on weekends”.

Pinetown boat exhibitor, Bruce Challenor said the show was fruitful.

“Our aim was to show the public that we are an international company and to see the design and development of new products. I found the traffic to be better than normal and we’ve had people interested in our product,” Challenor said.

“We export 70% of our production to countries like Australia, Kenya and Taiwan. Our quality is world class. People are surprised that our products are made locally,” Challenor added.

Approximately 65% of people attending the show are from KwaZulu-Natal, 30% from across the country and 5% are international visitors.

Event organiser, Barry Meehan said the show was a big success and has been growing in leaps and bounds.

“It took us six months to put this show together. We are happy with the volume of people who descended here. We have new boat models, new exhibitors, people are excited and with such glorious weather, we couldn’t ask for a better turn-out than this,” Meehan said.

“The show has been growing over the years. We now have about 12 000 people who visit this show and we have exhibitors showing internationally. It has been a wonderful event.”