SHOOTIN’ THE BREEZE

28 Shootin’ the Breeze

We catch up with Ian Cooke, president of British Marine, organiser of the Southampton International Boat Show.

QThanks for taking the time to chat to us. Have you always been interested in boating?

IC: As a young man I was keen on quite a few different sports, but it was not until I went to the Warsash Maritime College in the early ‘90s that sailing really took over. I had some fantastic opportunities on racing sail boats, and spent the vast majority of my time on the water.

Eventually I left the country and worked on boats abroad, always returning to racing when I could. The most enduring friendships I enjoy today have all been forged on the water. And the most rewarding times I have now continue to be with friends and, most importantly, my family on the water.

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QYou have held a number of positions in the marine industry over the years, but how did your role at British Marine come about?

IC: It was at a (hazy) Marine Trades Association dinner at the London Boat Show that I fi rst spoke with someone from the British Marine Industries Federation. I had concluded that to get the most from an organisation like British Marine, you needed to jump in with both feet and get involved. My fi rst role was on the British Marine South committee, which has been incredibly rewarding.

QWhat do you enjoy most about your involvement with British Marine?

IC: That is easy, ‘people’. This is a special industry, and it is a privilege to have been a part of it for almost 30 years. As part of British Marine, I get to operate within a multitude of sectors that I would not normally have a need to access. As a result, I have a real appreciation of the skills and innovation that the British marine industry brings to the world of boating, and the UK economy. Q What can visitors expect at the Southampton International Boat Show this year?

IC: This year British Marine has completely reimagined the layout and areas of the show to better appeal to visitors, with interest zones each featuring relevant activities. It is the biggest change to the show in recent years.

New land space means we have created the opportunity for a new entrance to the show and festival area outside Southampton’s Westquay shopping centre. Once inside the show, visitors will be immersed in the world of boating and watersports through new zones.

The fi rst zone will be for paddleboards, kite surfers, kayaks and windsurfers. There will be a Dinghy Zone and a Classic Boat & Day Boat Zone. Moving into Mayfl ower Park and the purpose-built marina, there will be hundreds of power and sail boats, equipment and services on show.

The new On The Water zone in the marina will feature our largest number of opportunities to get afl oat yet, on a wide range of boats. This will showcase how getting out on the water really is for everyone, and that access to watersports is easier than people may think – in craft of all shapes and sizes!

Throughout the show there will be new dedicated features, including stages, live music, entertainment and guest speakers to showcase the wonderful lifestyle that watersports and boating offers.

QDo you own a boat, and if you could choose right now what would be your dream boat?

IC: We have had various boats over the years, but I was very excited to take ownership of a Jersey 36 in January of this year. I will always be a sailor at heart, but with time being such a valuable commodity, we chose a British built motorboat, and we love her. We also keep our Laser 2000 dinghy at Warsash Sailing Club, and a reasonable selection of other ‘miscellaneous fl oating vessels’ dotted about.

To choose a dream boat is probably a long conversation to have. Do you choose what you want, or what you need? If money were no object, I think it would have to be a J-Class. I raced a stunning classic 6 Meter for a few years, so the grandad of the Meter Class would be a joy! Q How do you see the marine industry faring over the next few years following the pandemic?

IC: At the moment, there is a positive mood. The summer is here, and Covid-19 restrictions are easing, and we are again seeing a strong demand for boats and boating holidays due to many Brits planning a staycation again this year. The marine industry is currently benefi ting from the arrival of an exciting new generation of customers.

How the industry fares over the next few years will partly rely on how well we retain as many of these new customers when more international travel returns, and to keep the many amazing experiences we can offer at the forefront of this new generation’s imagination. That is why British Marine has launched the OnTheWater.co.uk website for this summer. Its key purpose is to easily connect people with the providers of all kinds of boating experiences, right across the UK, via a one-click search.

QWhat is British Marine doing to support marine businesses during the pandemic?

IC: British Marine has been supporting members and the wider industry throughout the pandemic, and continue to do so. Through representation and lobbying work at Government level, we have ensured the industry has access to fi scal support packages through the pandemic, and we have kept members updated, often through one-to-one support, with all developments and how they apply to their businesses.

As we move out of the pandemic, work such as the launch of OnTheWater.co.uk to help boost participation, is geared towards growing and supporting the industry too.

Southampton International Boat Show 10 – 19 September www.southamptonboatshow.com