London’s largest annual event, the Collins Stewart London Boat Show, will take place at ExCeL from tomorrow 12 January 2008. Now in its 54th year the Show promises to offer something for everyone. The Collins Stewart London Boat Show will welcome some 140,000 people, encouraging visitors to take to the water.

The focal point for the Show will be the Main Stage, powered by Fairline. The stage will play host to a number of big name popular clothing brands such as Fat Face, Musto, Gill, Henri Lloyd and Figleaves.com, before turning its spotlight onto boating legends Geoff Holt, Adrian Flanagan and Mike Golding who will take to the main stage to share stories of their daring adventures at sea. Its crowning glory, however, supposes to be the dazzling Sea Queen Stage Show – an aerial spectacular performed by circus dancers and daring stilt-walkers dressed as sea creatures, who will perform dazzling acrobatics along to a musical score.

Making its screen debut at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show will be Boat Review 2007 – a boating montage of the year projected on the main stage’s big screen, reliving the highs, the lows, the excitement and drama of 2007.

Visitors to the Main Stage will also get the opportunity to hear about the restoration of the Cutty Sark, see the coveted Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year Awards (announced on Saturday 12th January) and listen to the preparations of the Skandia Team GBR.

Anyone seeking impartial advice on how to take up boating can visit the ‘Start Boating’ area. Impartial teams are on hand to give a wealth of information. And for those considering buying their first boat, owner associations will concentrate on craft at the more affordable pre-owned end of the market.

The Watersports Zone will celebrate a host of sports, including windsurfing, jet-skiing and land-surfing. A new additions this year is cat-surfing – a new craze which involves the same principle as kitesurfing but the rider is in a one-man catamaran. This fun and interactive focal point,, reflecting the lifestyle provided by this important sector of the industry, will be surrounded by related watersports exhibitors and products.

Other attractions include a flotilla of 15 inland vessels sailing down the tidal Bow Creek directly to ExCeL; Classic Boat Magazine sponsoring the ‘Cutty Sark’ restoration project, Deck Games, and the return of Anchor Watch – in association with Practical Boat Owner and Yachting Monthly.

The show runs until Sunday 20 January.