Next month the Hiswa te Water 2023 will take place at the Bataviahaven in Lelystad. Although last year’s fair was already bigger than previous editions, this year the organisers are going for a record! As many as 412 boats and 250 exhibitors are registered for this edition. A substantial growth compared to the 320 boats in 2022. As a result, all places for exhibitors are almost sold out!!
The Hiswa te Water is a popular exhibition for water sports enthusiasts and is considered the most important water sports exhibition in Northern Europe. The Bataviahaven in Lelystad, with its distinctive semi-circular shape, is located in a prominent spot in the country. Here, exhibitors get all the space they need to display their offerings in the most beautiful way. It is also easy to reach for visitors from home and abroad; another important reason why many international visitors also know how to find the Hiswa te Water.
Extensive range
What makes the Hiswa te Water so unique is the extra focus on boats made in the Netherlands. Nowhere else in the world do visitors see so many exclusive and high-quality yachts of Dutch craftsmanship together. That is why large and internationally renowned Dutch yacht yards and builders such as Wajer Yachts, KMY, Saffier Yachts and Linssen Yachts are happy to come to the Bataviahaven.
But of course there is also plenty of room for international brands, which are represented by their dealers and importers during the fair. The Hiswa te Water serves as the prime time for various firsts. An example of these firsts concerns this edition’s 400th registration. Brunia Watersport from Biddinghuizen bears this honor and will showcase their Greenway Marine’s G-Force 10. This 10-meter cabin motorboat will be shown for the first time in the Netherlands during Hiswa te Water.
Besides the large range of various boats and yachts, visitors will also find everything related to water sports. For example, various demonstrations will take place on the Fun Park and adventurers will discover all kinds of fun sports. Furthermore, visitors will find a wide range of parts and services on the quay. Think insurance and accessories, for example.
Large but clear
Once again, the event area of the Hiswa te Water will be divided into different segments. Each segment will have its own theme of the products or services displayed here. Earlier, this division proved a great success, so the organisation chose to keep the segments. Thus, the promenade will be reserved for large yachts, with large format tenders and sailing yachts getting their own section. Princess is present with various brands with as many as 11 yachts, while Lengers is also well represented again. Attendees will also find all Scandinavian motorboats together in their own segment. The same goes for parts and services. For example, outboard engines from major brands such as Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Mercury, which are found at their own pavilion.
For the layout of the segments, the organisation took into account the latest trends and interest. This can be clearly seen with tenders, for example. These remain unprecedentedly popular, which is also reflected in the number of registrations. The major brands were quick to sign up and usually come with twice as many boats as the year before! For sailing yachts too, the organisation sees that more and more big brands know how to find their way to Lelystad. Of course, houseboats can also be found at the fair.
Responding to modern times
The Hiswa te Water serves as a great opportunity to be immersed in the latest trends in the water sports sector. Consequently, this is well reflected in the offering. Take, for example, the ever-growing demand for sustainable forms of boating. More and more entries came from boats with electric motors or other fossil-free propulsion. Also, the fair accommodates a very different trend, namely the search for more personnel. On all days of the Hiswa te Water, visitors can find out more about a career in water sports. Not only companies looking for new colleagues can be found here.
Boat of the Year
True to tradition Hiswa te Water organises the Boat of the Year election, here t, the organisation sees a growth in interest. Never have there been so many entries Boat of the Year election. Here, too, the organisation sees a growth in interest in the categories of tender and sloops, sailing yachts and powerboats.
Of the 30 boats that applied, the expert jury must select three boats per category. They then do a trial run with each nominee, after which they choose a winner. Finally, the jury will announce the winner on the evening of the fair opening. In addition, the awards of the best startup of the year and the oeuvre award will be presented on the same evening.
The 38rd edition of the Hiswa te Water will take place from 30 August – September 2023.
(Hiswa te Water 2023, 2,3 miles of boats in Lelystad – barchemagazine.com – July 2023)
