The London Boat Show 2016 is offering the chance to get on the water for free this January at its ‘Mediterranean Bay’ attraction.

With a purpose-built pool and Mediterranean-themed village, overlooked by boating holiday and water sports companies, the attraction will have a ‘play area’ on the water for beginners and experienced skippers alike. Offering visitors the opportunity to participate in the world of boating and watersports, the Mediterranean Bay will provide the chance to have fun whilst learning something new.

Spanning an area of 500 square metres, the pool will provide the perfect space for visitors to test their boating capabilities, including blind steering a powerboat and close-quarters yacht manoeuvring with instructors on hand to help.

Rockley Watersports will also be delivering a daily timetable of water seminars throughout the ten days of the Show. Showcasing essential skills for any boater, visitors will be able to watch a range of demonstrations including sail reefing and capsize drills. In addition, visitors can expect to see some of the leading innovations exhibited at the Show tested live on the pool. This will include leading liferafts from Bainbridge Marine, lifesavers and the world debuting Hartley 15 dinghy.

Murray Ellis, Managing Director at British Marine Boat Shows, commented:

‘At the Show our visitors like to experience and participate in different boating activities. The Mediterranean Bay attraction at this year’s Show will provide this as well as giving visitors the chance to learn, have fun and relax in the Mediterranean surroundings.’

All on-the-water sessions are free-of-charge and cannot be booked in advanced. To book a session on the day, visitors must visit the Rockley Watersports stand (D003/D004) at the Show to book an available activity for that day.

The London Boat Show 2016 takes place during 8-17 January 2016 at ExCeL London. Advance tickets to the Show start from £10, with two children under the age of 15 going free with each adult. To purchase tickets and for further information visit: www.londonboatshow.com.

Opening hours are Friday 8 – Wednesday 13 January open 10.00-18.00 daily, Thursday 14 January open 10.00-20.00 (late night opening) and Friday 15 – Sunday 17 January open 10.00-18.00 daily. From Friday 8 to Sunday 10 January 2016, a ticket holder to the London Boat Show will also be allowed entry to The Telegraph Cruise Show and The Telegraph Travel Show for free.