For 50 years, boat enthusiasts have flocked to the Progressive Insurance Atlanta Boat Show, with most of them in the market to buy a vessel.
That’s still the main attraction at the four-day event stationed in the Georgia World Congress Center. But with expanding interests come expanding attractions and organizers have crafted a doozy for the show’s golden anniversary.
A 200,000-gallon wake park will anchor this year’s presentation, a monster attraction that show manager Larry Berryman believes is the largest of its kind in the country.
“It’s been done at other shows,” Berryman said, “but not on the scale or size that we’re doing in Atlanta.”
The park consists of two giant pools stocked with multiple obstacles. Wakeboard riders, including Wesleyan School freshman Shelby King and members of Liquid Force’s Global Team, Kevin Henshaw and Steel Lafferty, will showcase their flips and somersaults on a cable system, which doesn’t require the use of a boat.
“There are outdoor cable parks across the country where wakeboard athletes can ride these systems without a boat. We’re taking that idea inside,” Berryman said.
The show, which is expected to attract about 25,000-30,000 people, draws about 80 percent of its traffic from Georgia, though research indicates that boating buffs from the Carolinas, Alabama and northern Florida also make the trip.
In addition to staple attractions such as fishing and sailing seminars and the Kids Cove with bounce houses and bungee jumps, a couple of other new educational components have been incorporated into the show.
With the Power Boat Docking Challenge, seafarers of all levels of can practice their docking skills with a life-sized boat helm and a remote control boat set on a small pool.
Also, do-it-yourself hourly seminars will be held at Fred’s Shed, where technicians and boating professionals will be on site to explain boat repairs and maintenance.
But those who wish to attend simply to look or buy – Berryman said it isn’t unheard of for a dealer to move 40-50 units throughout the four-day show – will have plenty of opportunity among the several hundred exhibitors.
“The hope is that we really have something for everyone. If you’re a sports enthusiast, we’ve got that angle covered. If you’re a fishing fan, we’ve got that covered. If you want to sit in some seminars and learn how to change spark plugs or wax a boat, we’ve got that, too,” said Berryman. “If you leave this show and say, ‘Man, there really was nothing there for me,’ I’d be very surprised.”
Event preview
Progressive Insurance Atlanta Boat Show
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 12-13; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 14; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 15. $10 (16 and older), free (15 and under). Georgia World Congress Center, Hall C, 285 Andrew Young International Boulevard N.W., Atlanta. 770-222-5200, www.atlantaboatshow.com.
