Tidelines: Chasing awards

Manufacturer inquiries indicate a record number of companies will be chasing the Boat of the Show awards at this year's Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show. Manager Dave Gibbs says the number of new designs, in both GRP and aluminium, being displayed indicates that entries will be up in all categories. Entries close at 5pm on Friday, May 16.

Canada calling

A consortium of Canada's major marine industry organisations has launched a five-week Discover Boating campaign that will reach more than 25 million people. Aimed at married adults aged from 25 to 49 with children from 5 to 13 years, the ads cover a wide range of boating activity. They will air 1300 times on the five most popular networks and will include spots during the National Hockey League playoff, the Indy 500 and Nascar. Campaign details on www.DiscoverBoating.ca

Man overboard

Live action at the National Maritime Museum begins at 1.30pm with a man overboard demonstration by North Shore Coastguard. That will be followed by a session on the correct use of hand-held flares and boat-handling tips from Coastguard Boating Education, which will also have a caravan on Princes Wharf. From 1.45pm the Waiheke Volunteer Coastguard will be there with its 13.6m Waveney lifeboat, which will be open to the public.

Concept boats

The British Marine Federation and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects have set June 30 as the deadline for this year's concept boat competition. Last year's inaugural bid to encourage innovation was won by Aucklander Gary Treadwell, with his fold-up sailing catamaran. The new contest, which again carries a $15,000 prize, aims to foster new water-borne activities such as kite-surfing.

Water-Watch

As summer sailing winds down, clubs are gearing up for the autumn and winter competitions. Activity includes:

Saturday: Trifecta (RNZYS).

Sunday: Howick autumn series begins, racing May 4, 11, 18 and 25 (HSC); Bayleys winter series, Race 1 (GHYC).

* Clubs and organisations planning activity on the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register with the Auckland Regional Council Enviroline on 09 366 2070.