23rd Dubai International Boat Show expands event at Dive Middle East Exhibition

Sport360 staff 17:04 11/02/2015
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  • Dubai World Trade Centre has added DIBS Water Sports to its new line up.

    With the massive increase of waterside developments and the rapid expansion of dive and water sports companies setting up in the region, the Middle East is increasing its popularity as a venue for marine-related leisure activities, according to experts.

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    Highlights of DMEX, supported by Emirates Diving Association (EDA), include live and interactive presentations, first hand access to the latest diving techniques and skills, and interactive demonstrations by qualified instructors in the DMEX pool.

    “PADI exhibited very successfully at DMEX in 2014 and our members were so thrilled that we decided to come back bigger in 2015 to engage non-divers to sign up for diving courses and also re-engage with divers to seek higher certifications and take up diving adventures that some of our dive centres offer,” said Erika Hoffman, Manager, Shows and Events, PADI Europe, Middle East and Africa.

    PADI has issued more than 154,000 diver certifications from 2004 – 2013 within GCC countries, and has 2,550 professional members across the Middle East.

    PADI has 2,550 professional members across the Middle East.

    First time participant Sea Safari Cruises, specialised in leisure expeditions cruises in Bali, will also be promoting their diving cruises, using DMEX as a platform to capture the growing Middle East diving market.

    To cater to an audience continuing to seek new features, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Dubai International Boat Show, has added DIBS Water Sports to its exciting new line up.

    The feature is a new show zone dedicated to all related water activities, from kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, and paddle boarding to surfing, kite surfing, and wind surfing, with a dedicated testing pool for water sports enthusiasts.

    New show zone.

    “Over the past two years that we’ve operated in the UAE we’ve seen that people are looking to participate in new and fun watersports activities, but most of all that they are affordable and not simply a ‘one-off’.

    "Kayaking, paddleboarding and now even windsurfing are becoming so popular because they’re very affordable through hourly or daily renting.

    "Watersports are so popular, in fact, that we’ve even set up free-to-enter paddleboarding and windsurfing competitions where all the equipment is provided, and racers can just turn up and race, and dedicated enthusiasts can easily buy top-of-the-range products right here in the country,” said Sterenn Bourges, General Manager of Seayou, a Dubai-based non-motorised watersports company and return exhibitor to the show.

    Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President of DWTC, agrees: “The Middle East continues to be a key growth market, where an increasing number of water sport enthusiasts reside. Having leading events like DMEX run alongside the Dubai International Boat Show, as well as providing new features like DIBS Water Sports, is a step towards reaching our goal to promote the UAE and the rest of the Middle East as one of the world’s leading hubs for marine leisure activity,” LohMirmand said.

    The 23rd Dubai International Boat Show at Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi is open to trade visitors and the general public from 3pm – 9.30pm daily from 3-7 March 2015.

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