LELYSTAD – After two online editions of the Hiswa te Water, some 30,000 water sports enthusiasts were able to enjoy a real boat show again last week. Some 350 boats could be admired in the Batavia Haven in Lelystad at the place where they belong, namely in the water! As a reward for the long wait, visitors and exhibitors were able to enjoy a sun-drenched fair.
The practice of water sports has experienced an unprecedented boom in the post- Corona years. Hiswa te Water director Arjen Rahusen: ‘Due to the fact that we couldn’t go abroad, we learned to appreciate the Netherlands as a holiday destination. And nowhere was safer in that period than on the water! Last week we saw a large group of new water sports enthusiasts taking the opportunity to come and witness everything that is available in the field of water sports.
Firsts
The water sports industry has not been idle for the past three years. There were a particularly large number of firsts to celebrate. The 3D printed boat by Impacd, made of recycled PET bottles, was a special eye-catcher at the fair. The extremely sustainably built Vaan R4 was on show for the first time at a trade fair and was immediately chosen as Sailboat of the Year!
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- Marex 330 Sc
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- AluShip 700 E-sloep
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- Vaan R4
Electric sailing
The move towards electric sailing is real. In addition to the new players in the market for sustainable sailing, the established order of suppliers of motorised boats has also taken the road to electric sailing. Visitors eagerly used the special information stand where they could find out everything about this clean and quiet way of sailing -for example, the first hydrogen-powered boat that was on display.
Something for everyone
There was something for everyone at the fair. In addition to the large selection of sloops, ribs and all kinds of motorboats, there was a remarkably large selection of catamarans, multi hulls and houseboats. Numerous super-luxury motor yachts from the very highest segment were moored at a special jetty in the Batavia harbour. There was also room for the very latest developments, such as various different fliteboards, the I-Bubble underwater drone and even a real submarine! The first edition of the Watersport Career Day was very successful and will certainly be a feature of future editions.
Next year’s Hiswa te Water will be held in the Batavia Haven in Lelystad from 30 August – 4 September 2023.
