WASHINGTON TRUST SHOW PAVILION
The Providence Boat Show has a center stage: it’s called the Washington Trust Show Pavilion. This area of the show—sponsored by Washington Trust, the largest state- chartered bank headquartered in Rhode Island and one of the premier financial institutions in the region—is the go-to hub of the show. It’s your waypoint if you want to meet star personalities, learn from experts, and enjoy a full slate of special events that run throughout all three days of the boat show. Get a seat at the table for the sea-to-table demos with the region’s leading chefs, take part in fun hands-on activities for the entire family, and attend sessions on hot topics for today’s boaters. The Pavilion will also feature a video wall—so you’ll be entertained by some of the hottest boating action seen on this side of the Atlantic. Check in at the Show Pavilion when you arrive at the show to make sure you don’t miss any of our center stage attractions.
NEW ENGLAND BOATING EXPERIENCE
Want to celebrate what’s great about going boating in our corner of the world? Then visit the New England Boating Experience. The team at New England Boating, owners and producers of the television show and magazine of the same name, know what’s special about our region—and it’s all coming your way at this new section of the show. Think sailing is just for water? Learn about Kitewing sailing and the equipment used for wind-powered skiing. Visit with the Providence Community Boating Center to learn how easy it is to get time on the water at their facilities.Make time to learn to surf on dry land on a SurfSet board with instructors from FloorTime Studios. You can also talk with the experts at Laser Performance and Zim Sailing, two of the region’s top boat manufacturers. New England Boating has even brought in a green screen for free photo fun; surf a big wave on a high-performance speedster or set sail with our Volvo Ocean Race hometown team, Team Alvimedica. Photos will be available for immediate Facebook sharing.
CATCH VOLVO OCEAN RACE FEVER
If you haven’t already caught Volvo Ocean Race fever, you will when you step through the doors of the Providence Boat Show. This ultra-rugged, round-the-world sailing marathon is taking place in real time just as the boat show comes to Providence. In January, racers will be making their way to Sanya, China. At the boat show you can learn more about the event, its teams of top ocean racers, and cheer on hometown heroes Charlie Enright and Mark Towill of Team Alvimedica. These two young Rhode Island sailors raced at Brown University and turned their seven-year dream of competing in this global marathon into a reality by teaming up with their Turkish sponsor. The only U.S. stopover in this 11-port race will be in Newport, Rhode Island, in May 2015. So come to the boat show to catch Volvo Ocean Race fever, stock up on race gear from TeamOne Newport—then plan to be in the Ocean State next May to welcome this fleet of ocean greyhounds to U.S. shores.
FROM SEA TO TABLE
Want to learn how the top chefs in the region prepare their catch? Plan to attend at least one of our special sea-to- table events during your visit to the Providence Boat Show. This year, Chef Max Peterson of Hemenway’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar in Providence joins our line-up of top chefs. Peterson has cooked from coast to coast in the kitchens of leading restaurants—from Seattle to New England—and dining on the seafood served at Hemenway’s is one of the best reasons to make a detour to Providence. Newport’s Midtown Oyster Bar and Bristol Oyster Bar also joined the sea-to-table line-up this year. Also back by popular demand is a special two-part event: watch an expert fillet a freshly caught fish, then get a lesson in how to prepare that catch from Chef Phyllis Affra of Blaze Restaurant in Providence. So if you love eating seafood, plan to work some sea-to-table time into your boat show schedule. But plan early: these events typically play to a standing-room-only crowd. We’ll also be serving oysters and Bloody Mary’s on Sunday morning thanks to Midtown Oyster Bar. See you then!
FROM OFFICE TO COCKPIT
Looking for adventure? Meet a woman who is transforming her career in corporate American into a life of sailing adventure. Regina Krieger, a U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captain and ASA-certified sailing instructor, is preparing to participate in the 2015/16 Clipper Round the World race—the only sailing race that welcomes amateur crew as competitors. The race is a 40,000–nautical mile race around the world on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht; all that is asked of participants is that they are over age 18 and have a good level of fitness and a thirst for adventure into the unknown. Join Regina to hear about the legs of the race, what it’s like to train, and how to prepare for this bold adventure. The presentation will include exciting video footage from previous races and a good opportunity to ask questions about an event that just might be your next sailing adventure!
VISIT REEL ISLAND
If you are a fishing enthusiast, make our new Reel Island your first waypoint at this year’s Providence Boat Show. This brand-new feature of the show, brought to you by Rhode Island Coastal Angler Magazine, makes it easy for you to pursue your biggest passion. Reel Island will not only feature our fishing-related exhibitors: it will also house our biggest attractions for fishing enthusiasts. Stop by Reel Island to catch our series of Sport Fishing Seminars coordinated by Captain Jack Sprengel of East Coast Charters, where local anglers and experts will teach you about the technique and equipment that will net you more enjoyment on the water. Get your fishing license from Wood Boat & Motor. And to get your young anglers excited about the sport, Casting Kids will be at the show to give those new enthusiasts some fun pointers and instruction so they are excited to join you on the water next summer.
THE SAILING CENTER
Rhode Island has 400 miles of coastline, beautiful harbors, and an entire population of residents who have grown up on the water to become famous sailors. It’s clear that the Ocean State is the place to be if you want to learn how to travel by wind power alone. Come to our brand-new Sailing Center at the Providence Boat Show to learn about the sport, see sailboats, and tap into the wealth of sailing knowledge that lives in the Ocean State. Whether you’re looking for a small stable dinghy for your kids, or a simple boat you and your family can start sailing on, or a cruiser as your ticket to adventure afloat, the new Sailing Center will be the gateway to your sailing goals and dreams.
ARTSEA GALLERY
If you love being on the water, you are no doubt inspired by the beauty you see all around you, every time you step on board: sunset views, water landscapes, scenic harbors, and even artfully constructed seashells. This year, the Providence Boat show is celebrating those water views and maritime subjects with a brand-new feature of the show: the ArtSEA Gallery. A group of artists from throughout New England are bringing their work to the show to celebrate the art that boaters see all around them. See the gorgeous photographs of Newport photographer Onne van der Wal and get a signed copy of his book, purchase a mini-handpainted work of art from RISD graduate Sue Fellows, and more. Make the ArtSEA Gallery one of your must-see stops at this year’s show: you’ll see paintings, photography, jewelry, and even wearable art in this new display that is meant to be both fun and inspiring.
TURNING A PASSION INTO A CAREER
The youth of today are our workforce of tomorrow. Visit the Youth Boat Build, brought to you by the van Beuren Charitable Foundation and the Rhode Island Foundation, to meet young people from across the Ocean State who are turning their passion for boats and building into high-tech, high-paying career paths in engineering, design, advanced composites manufacturing, and the marine trades. You’ll meet students from marine-trades programs at Chariho Career & Technical Center and Warwick Area Career & Technical Center who will do a live boat-build during the show. Students from Tiverton High School will also attend, to showcase their latest projects. IYRS, the School of Technology and Trades, will be at the show to give you insight into how you can turn your passion for boats into a career through their world-renown programs in Boatbuilding & Restoration, Composites Technology, and Marine Systems. Bring your kids to this special area of the show to find hands-on fun for all ages!
FASHION FORWARD
Want to know how to dress for performance on the water? Come to the Providence Boat Show and attend our new Fashion Show to find out! The collection of clothing and apparel has been chosen by one of the top experts in on- the-water fashion: Team One Newport. People who spend their careers on the water go to Team One to learn about the best clothes for the job. You’ll see apparel from leading companies such as Musto and Helly Hansen. You’ll see clothes that will keep you cool on a hot windless day as well as those that will keep you warm and dry in the most extreme conditions. You’ll also see what the Volvo ocean racers wear. Team One stays on top of the latest developments in design and fabric technology, so you’ll see a lot of great apparel and learn about the clothing that will perform the way you need it to–all while keeping you fashion forward on the water.
TEAMWORK FOR ALL AGES
In a special presentation with Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI), you’ll learn how the small, labor- intensive, purpose-driven community of a Tall Ship is an ideal environment where people can go to learn how to work hard and work together. Come learn about the special brand of teamwork onboard this unique Rhode Island-built vessel in a presentation that applies to all ages—from kids and teens to adults interested in how to build strong teams. Curious about the ship? See pictures chronicling the construction of Oliver Hazard Perry, the first ocean-going, full-rigged ship built in America in over 110 years. Interested in the experience? Hear stories from this summer, when OHPRI took kids sailing on a schooner. Itching to join the crew? Jump in and learn to haul and belay a line! Remember, teamwork is like no work.
IN THE YACHT CLUB CHALLENGE!
You don’t have to be the fastest or most skilled competitor to win the First- Annual Providence Boat Show Yacht Club Challenge. You just have to show up en masse, with all your fellow club members. The club that brings the largest group of members and their club burgee to the show for a photo opp in front of our New England Experience green screen will take the prize: a case of Keel Vodka for your club, a gift certificate for a $200 pizza party, a perpetual trophy, and a specialty drink from Keel named in honor of your yacht club. Clubs that participate in this fun, new event will receive 10 complimentary tickets and a discount ticket link so their members can save money on show admission. Sign up in advance to compete at www.providenceboatshow.com.
