TV presenter, Matt Baker, set to make a spectacular arrival on the water at this year’s PSP Southampton Boat Show

September 10 2014: The PSP Southampton Boat Show today announces that TV star Matt Baker will welcome in the first day of the internationally renowned boating festival.  Matt will make his entrance by sailing in to the Show.

Matt will be joined by Olympic Gold medallist, Iain Percy OBE, where the duo will greet the Show’s first guests.  As an ambassador to the Show’s official charity, the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, Sir Iain Percy comments on the Show’s support: “I’ve been blown away by all the support the charity has already managed to achieve.  Working with the PSP Southampton Boat Show now offers us a great opportunity to attract even more young people to sailing.”

Inspired by double Olympic medallist Andrew “Bart” Simpson, the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation helps young people to develop the personal skills that will improve their ability to succeed in life and to improve access to jobs and careers within the maritime sector.

As one of Europe’s biggest outdoor boat shows, visitors of the PSP Southampton Boat Show will be treated to an array of exciting attractions, exhilarating experiences and world-class boats, all set against a stunning backdrop of the Show’s spectacular marina.
 
Visitors to this year’s boating festival will see hundreds of world-class boats, brand new attractions such as the Boat Show Eye and will have a number of opportunities to get out on the water to try out boats and watersport activities for themselves. Whether it’s going out on an exhilarating Suzuki RIB Experience ride, having a go in the Challenge 72, or climbing aboard the historic tall ship Phoenix, there is something for everyone, children and adults alike, to have a go at.

Matt Baker, TV Presenter said, “I am very passionate about the great outdoors and looking for adventure, so I’m very excited to be part of the PSP Southampton Boat Show this year.  I have always wanted to visit the Show and as a sailing novice it’s the perfect opportunity to get some more experience out on the water. I’m looking forward to seeing all the wonderful attractions at the Show.”

Tickets to the PSP Southampton Boat Show start from £15 per adult with concessions available for over-60s, disabled visitors and groups of 10 people or more. Two children under the age of 15 go free with each paying adult.
Advanced tickets can be purchased from www.southamptonboatshow.com.

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Notes to editors:
About the PSP Southampton Boat Show:
• The PSP Southampton Boat Show runs from 12-21 September in Mayflower Park, Southampton. Opening hours are Friday 12 – Saturday 20, 10am – 6:30pm and Sunday 21, 10am – 6pm; visitors can access the Arena area of the Show from 9:30am with access across the bridge to the Holiday Inn from 10am
• For all Show ticket information please visit www.southamptonboatshow.com
• A fee of £1.75 applies per transaction, not per ticket
• Some of the Show’s attractions are free to visitors; please note that there is a £3 charge for the PSP Southampton Boat Show Eye per person and the Challenge 72 experience is priced from £54
• The PSP Southampton Boat Show in Mayflower Park and the London Boat Show at ExCeL London are organised by National Boat Shows Ltd (NBS). NBS is a subsidiary of the British Marine Federation (BMF), the trade association for the UK boating industry
• All activities can be booked at the Show –see www.southamptonboatshow.com for details
• The London Boat Show takes place from Friday 9 – Sunday 20 January 2014 at ExCeL London

Bart’s Bash at PSP Southampton Boat Show

• Bart’s Bash is the charity’s grand moment on Sunday 21 September.  The fundraising event aims to set the Guinness World Record for the ‘largest sailing race’ in the world.  The PSP Southampton Boat Show is hosting its own Bart’s Bash sailing race, starting and finishing at Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC). http://www.southamptonboatshow.com/2014/whats_on/attractions_and_events_at__the/barts_bash.aspx
 

About PSP

• PSP is the title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and one of the UK’s fastest-growing freight forwarders. Working from its headquarters in Hampshire and in conjunction with its offices and agents across the globe, it offers project logistics, freight forwarding, worldwide boat transportation, marine spares, international express courier services and export packing.  Flexible and fast-moving, PSP is continually expanding and has offices in the UK and across the world, as well as its own global network of boat transportation specialists, The PSP Alliance.

• PSP was the first ever title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and 2014 marks its seventh year of sponsorship. It ships for brands such as The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Princess, Sunseeker, Fairline, Dee Caffari MBE, Bear Grylls and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. PSP was heavily involved in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013/14, both as Official Logistics Partner and as a Team Sponsor. Its boat, PSP Logistics, came 9th and will be on display at this year’s PSP Southampton Boat Show.