WELCOME ABOARD

The Toronto International Boat Show attracts thousands of boaters and dreamers alike.

By Julie Gedeon

 

Ahoy, maties! The 66th annual Toronto International Boat Show is set to make waves again this January, attracting between 65,000 and 75,000 enthusiasts. “It’s North America’s largest indoor boat show, which surprises a lot of people given our climate,” says Linda Waddell, the Canadian Boat Shows’ president and show director. “But the majority of Ontarians live less than an hour from a lake or river, which is more access to beautiful fresh waterways than anywhere else on the planet!” Relaxing on or by the water is particularly favoured by people in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area for both weekend escapes and summer vacations.

 

Everyone instinctively feels what science has shown about water’s health benefits. A 2018 Canadian study revealed that people living near water have a reduced risk of mortality by as much as 17 per cent. Wallace J. Nichols, author of Blue Mind, notes that just seeing and hearing open water promotes wellness by relaxing us, lowering our cortisol levels, and increasing the serotonin that makes us happier. “There’s also great value placed on making lasting memories on the water with family and friends,” Waddell says.

 

By January, boating enthusiasts are longing for warmer days of sailing, cruising, or kayaking. The show has everything under one roof to help them get ready, whether it’s to update fishing gear or take up a new watersport. “People who attend for the first time say they knew it would be large but didn’t expect there to be so much to see and do,” Waddell says. “It really helps to use our interactive website to plan your visit so that you make the most of your time over a day or two.” More than 300 seminars cover the gamut from water safety and certification to boating on the Rideau Canal to planning the route, food, and other supplies for a six-month expedition.

 

“THERE’S ALSO GREAT VALUE PLACED ON MAKING LASTING MEMORIES ON THE WATER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.”

 

The show actually has an indoor lake when the Coca-Cola Coliseum is flooded with a million gallons (almost 3.8 million litres) of water. There’s always something happening at the lake, from waterski shows to electric boats on the go to the Indoor Wakeboard Championship. “It’s the only place in the world that has an indoor championship for the wakeboard industry,” Waddell says. “Riders from all over are excited to compete in front of thousands of people.”

 

The show is organized into sections according to interests to make navigating it easier. Cottage Country is dedicated to smaller, non-motorized craft, such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and wakeboards, but also docks and other cottage essentials. Mariner’s Marketplace is chock full of boat electronics and other accessories, as well as services for everything from marina slips to boating destinations. The Boathouse is for those who maintain and repair their boats on their own or want to learn to do so. The show offers everything imaginable for both seasoned boaters and landlubbers still dreaming of owning a boat one day. “We get lots of people who aren’t yet sure what they want and just look around,” Waddell says. “And then there are the boaters who attend year after year, buying multiple boats over time, and knowing they can negotiate with sellers who offer their best once-a-year deals at this show.”

 

While most attendees are from Ontario, the show also draws people from Michigan, New York State, Quebec, and the Maritimes. Many opt to visit mid-week to avoid the weekend bustle. For those who want to look around before the crowds arrive, there’s a First Look Friday admission. The Toronto International Boat Show takes place January 19 to 28 in the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto.