The Collins Stewart London Boat Show had the audience cheering its Sea Queen spectacular display on the new Main Stage in the North Hall. This is a welcome addition to this year’s ExCeL Boat Show, perhaps inspired by the big stage laid on at rival Earls Court Boat Show, which it has trumped. The Sea Queen aerial spectacular, performed by circus dancers and stilt-walkers, certainly proved a big crowd-puller at the weekend.

Dancers and circus-style acrobats join together in an imaginative and literally uplifting Cirque de Soleil-style high wire act featuring the ‘Sea Queen’, a giant 30ft puppet, with a troupe of dancing girls performing to music. It may sound odd, but it was quite brilliant. This has put the ‘wow’ factor back in to ExCeL and given the show a focal point. You might say it was the new ‘heart’ of the show. Offering entertainment and spectacle amidst the more down-to-earth stands selling everything from shackles and rope to dream yachts, dayboats, dinghies and windsurfers.

Starting tomorrow, Yachting Monthly’s own staff take to the stage for some nautical speaking engagements.

At 1100, Deputy Editor Miles Kendall will be talking about chartering with hints and tips to make the most of your sailing holiday. At 1630, Editor Paul Gelder will be joining Peter Seymour from Blue Water Rallies to talk about cruising in company ‘From Biscay to Blue Water’.

On Wednesday, YM Features Editor Dick Durham will talk about ‘The Forgotten Coast’ – and his favourite East Coast haunts, often overlooked by those who think everything happens on the Solent!

On Friday 18th at 1700, YM columnist Tom Cunliffe will be talking about the Royal Yachting Association’s Green Blue initiative.