Gilligan’s Island sweetheart “Mary Ann” cruises to Toronto for a “Three Day Tour, a Three Day Tour”

2015 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

January 10-18, Direct Energy Centre

Hundreds of new products to be unveiled, Discover Boating’s National Hands-On Skills Training Program, Winter Wake Fest, Wild & Wacky Water Ski Show,

and New Boater Welcome Centre

(Toronto, ON) – The summer season kicks-off at the 57^th Annual Toronto International Boat Show!

With more than a million square feet of showroom, the Boat Show is bringing a boatload of fun to visitors this year with returning popular activities such as wakeboarding, Winter Wake Fest and free boat rides on the world’s largest indoor lake, Henry’s Fish House, Kids’ Fishing Zone and tips from Canada’s fishing experts on how to hook, line and sinker at the Great Canadian Fish Tank. 

PLUS there are more than 1,000 boats to see and board, shopping among hundreds of innovative products ranging from state-of-the-art boat engines to navigational technology, and the latest marine gadgets and accessories to hit the market -- many making their Canadian debut at North America’s largest indoor boat show.

NEW features include a special opening weekend appearance by Dawn Wells, who played the beloved character “Mary Ann” on Gilligan’s Island, waterskiing and tubing on The Lake, a New Boater Welcome Centre located at the entrance to Mariners Marketplace, more than 200 new seminars, and for the first time at the Toronto Boat Show, Discover Boating’s Hands-On Skills Training, a national program that aims to educate Canadians to become confident and safe boaters.

The 57^th Annual Toronto International Boat Show. Canada’s most popular marine marketplace, drops anchor January 10-18, 2015, at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place.

All activities are FREE WITH ADMISSION! Visit www.TorontoBoatShow.com for more information, features and complete schedules.

SPECIAL PREVIEW NIGHT       Friday, January 9: A mid-winter rendezvous for the boating community, Special Preview Night returns to the Toronto Boat Show in support of children’s charities! Since 2000, Special Preview Night has raised more than $660,000 for initiatives that are close to the hearts of the boating community. Tickets available now at TorontoBoatShow.com or by calling (905) 951-0009.

HIGHLIGHTS        NEW - Dawn Wells, Author and Star of Gilligan’s Island: One of the world’s most famous castaways “Mary Ann Summers” from the hit sitcom Gilligan’s Island is cruising to Toronto for a meet and greet with her fans. The iconic star will make a special three-day appearance at the Boat Show during Special Preview Night on Jan 9^th, as well as Jan 10th & 11th to promote her new book, “What Would Mary Ann Do?” and share stories of Gilligan’s Island, which just celebrated its 50^th anniversary.

NEW – Wild & Wacky Water Ski Show:  Ski season is on – at the Boat Show!  Forget the slopes and head to the world’s largest indoor lake to catch an awesome display of wild and wacky waterskiing stunts. 

NEW – Go Wakeboarding, Waterskiing and Tubing: Guided by expert instructors from Summer Water Sports, show-goers receive hands-on instruction “on shore,” then take to The Lake to try out their new skills behind Ontario’s first Sesitec System 2.0. Boards, waterskis, dry suits and lifejackets are provided – all you have to bring is your adventurous spirit!

NEW Boater Welcome Centre: The boating community is at your service!  The Toronto Boat Show offers a bounty of educational resources, free seminars and daily show tours, unbiased expertise and approachable staff to assist new boaters of all lifestyles! 

NEW – Discover Boating’s Hands-On Skills Training (HOST):  A national program launched in August 2014 provides new and experienced boaters the opportunity to get behind the helm with an instructor and receive practical in-water and dockside classes on driving and docking a boat.

Discover Boating will present three different HOST Clinics:

Fundamentals of Close Quarters Boat Handling: Learn the fundamentals of boat control in confined space including how to confidently manoeuvre close to other boats, piers, docks and fixed objects. Participants will also learn how to turn around in tight spaces, back down a narrow channel in a straight line and other important docking and manoeuvring skills.

Advanced Close Quarters Maneuvering: The ability to confidently manoeuvre a boat in tight spaces is the hallmark of competent skipper. This hands-on session covers advanced, precision boat control and docking techniques used by professional captains including how to dock and depart confidently using spring lines and more.

Essential Boating Safety (presented dockside): This module covers important pre-departure safety elements with emphasis on passenger safety, use and care of required equipment and vessel systems check.

Participants must have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card to register. For more information and to register, click here.

NEW - DIY STAGE & SEMINARS:  More than 200 engaging seminars offer an exceptional variety of topics such as boat buying tips, adventures of cruising the world, and overcoming fears of sailing solo as a female skipper. Plus, an all-new “Do It Yourself” stage featuring how-to seminars on Boat Maintenance 101, varnishing techniques and more!  The complete seminar schedule is posted on www.TorontoBoatShow.com 

NEW - SailFest Theatre: Canadian and international boating experts from around the world share advice and stories of sailing some of the most beautiful destinations on Earth, as well as adrenaline-packed competitive racing adventures. Special guest speakers include renowned Irish sailor Damian Foxall presenting on the Toughest Race on the Planet with live footage of the Volvo Ocean Race, as well as Ontario’s own Sandy Macpherson sharing his experience of offshore solo racing.

Winter Wake Fest Rocks The Lake: Catch jaw-dropping action on The Lake, as some of North America’s elite wakeboarders and wakeskaters crank up the volume for a spectacular show of grinds, tricks and flips!

Kids Fishing Zone: Kids can learn to catch live trout with Fish TV’s Leo and Ron.

Great Canadian Fish Tank: The 40-ft long aquarium provides a fish-eye view of native Ontario marine life, and is the perfect teaching tool for experts demonstrating how to catch “the big one.”  Watch how to fillet and cook a fish too!

FREE Boat Rides: From kayaking to canoeing, paddleboats, inflatables, and hydro-bikes, The Lake welcomes all types of boaters at all levels of mastery!

WHEN:                  January 10-18, 2015

Monday to Wednesday, 11am-8pm; Thursday & Friday, 11am-9pm

Saturdays, 10am-7pm; Sundays, 10am-6pm

SPECIAL PREVIEW NIGHT – Friday, January 9, 4-9pm

WHERE:               Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd. Toronto, ON

TICKETS:             $18 – General Admission (17 – 64 yrs.)

                            $15 – Seniors (65 yrs. & better)

                            $20 – Unlimited Weekday Evening Pass (4pm – close)

                            $25 – Two-day Adult Pass (17 – 64 yrs.)

                            $19 – Two-day Senior Pass (65 yrs. & better)

                            FREE – KIDS 16 years & under when accompanied by an adult

* Buy online at www.TorontoBoatShow.com and save $3/ticket until midnight January 9, 2015.

PHONE:                905-951-0009

WEBSITE:            www.TorontoBoatShow.com

ABOUT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

The Toronto International Boat Show is owned and produced by Canadian Boat Shows Inc. In generating more than $354 million in economic impact to the region, it remains one of the largest consumer boat shows in North America. During the last five years, the Show has annually attracted more than 500 exhibitors and 80,000 attendees. More boats are purchased at the Toronto International Boat Show than at any other place or event in Canada. 

About 44% of Canadians (15 million people) participate in boating and Canadians own more than 4.3 million boats. Direct revenues across Canada’s core recreational boating industry total $5 billion per year and it directly employs approximately 67,000 Canadians. (NMMA Canada – The Economic Impact of Recreational Boating In Canada; 2013.) 

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