Qatar International Boat Show 2015

Doha 2 November 2015 – If you thought that the Qatar International Boat Show was simply about exhibitors showing off their latest and best boats to potential buyers, then think again. QIBS 2015 – which will be held from the 10th to 14th November in Mourjan Marinas, Lusail City, just north of Doha, is simply bursting with activities that will surely appeal to all members of the family, young or old.

The special VIP opening day – Tuesday the 10th – will begin at 4 pm with H.E. the Minister of Economy and Trade, Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani inaugurating the show for the second year running. From 6:30pm onwards the Qatar Coast Guards will stage a parade of boats. The Coast guards will also have a Boat Sailing Simulator on display in the main exhibitor area.

On the first day of QIBS 2015 there will also be a parade of ten boats given by the Qatar Sailing and Marine Sports Federation that was the result of a merger, earlier this year, of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation and Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation, bringing the activities of those organizations under one roof. The main aim of the Federation is to ensure implementation of the Olympic Charter and promotion of Sailing, Rowing, Canoe-Kayak & Kite boarding in the State of Qatar. They will be providing the Show with exciting activities and displays such as kids’ sailing and jet skiing.

If you’re into water sports, you certainly won’t want to miss out on the demonstration of wakeboarding, which will be given by Khalid Al Awadhi – a professional member of the Kuwaiti Wakeboard Team. Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which was developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing techniques. Wakeboarding has been a recognized part of the Olympic Games for the past ten years, and there are over 400 days of wakeboarding, wake skating and wake surfing events each year.

Also present at QIBS 2015 will be a contingent from Blue Marine – an organization which offers activities such as jet skiing and fly boarding. Blue Marine is one of the leading marine companies in Qatar offering a full line up of water sports activities, and it’s located at Mourjan Marinas – Lusail City, which of course is where QIBS is

being held. Blue Marine will provide side activities such as canoeing, fly boarding, Jet Ski racing, kite surfing, scuba diving, and wakeboarding.

Blue Pearl Water sport Tourism will also be present. It specializes in sea, wind and human powered water-sports leisure. They are not just wind surfing, kite surfing and kayaking aficionados, but they are also masters of stand up paddle boarding – known as SUP. Blue Pearl says that their mission is to make SUP the fastest growing water-sport accessible to all age groups and skill levels in Qatar and through the region.

Something being shown for the first time in Doha is the Gais Spear gun. This is produced by a Qatari start-up company, which is producing these guns for fishing and will be highlighted on the ‘Made in Qatar” stand.

Quite apart from water sports, the parade of Harley Davidson motorbikes will return to the Show for the third year running, by popular demand. Last year saw over 50 Harleys at QIBS. See how many you can count this time around.

Of course, QIBS also boasts a family-friendly environment. There is even a Pirates and Mermaids kids’ zone where there will be a playground area, as well as engaging activities such as drawing, painting, storytelling related to boating, the sea, sailing, and so on, as well as a dedicated F&B area.

Speaking of F&B, QIBS 2015 will be offering visitors scrumptious meals prepared by tents managed by five-star hotels. Cuisines on offer include Lebanese, Japanese (Sushi), and Italian, and visitors will also be treated to a generous salad bar and high – end Italian coffee.

But it’s not just the visitors who are catered for. As a special thank you to all the exhibitors who have come to Qatar from all points of the globe, there will be an exhibitors’ party in the prestigious Ritz Carlton Hotel where professionals can reunite or make new contacts with their peers. Meanwhile the Qatar Tourism Authority will be renting a traditional Dhow to host VIPs and clients.

To round off the special week, there will be a closing ceremony at 9.30pm on Saturday 14th in which yachts throughout the harbour will sound their horns – much like the tradition of yachts sounding their horns upon completion of the Monaco Boat Show. But in view of their proximity to the QIBS event, this is likely to be louder and more impressive. Be there, and celebrate another successful edition of the Qatar International Boat Show!