Sydney International Boat Show - Sailing Stage

Each year the Sydney International Boat Show Sailing Stage hosts larger than life personalities, passionate about boating and sailing. While the morning programme concentrates mostly on the world of the powerboat, in the afternoons it's all sailing - and mostly for the cruising sailor! The presentations are enthusiastically received by keen audiences, who gather at the venue for shows between 10.30am and 7.30pm(see below for complete formal programme).

The team from Sail-World have worked with the event organisers and industry to bring another diverse selection of presenters.

1.30pm, Marine safetywill be the theme as the team from NSW Maritime, along with Coastal Patrol & Coastguard explain how their safety net and some important tips can keep you safe in NSW waters.

2.00pm: While it's not sailing, those who cross oceans will be able to identify with Justin Jones and James Castrission who took 62 days to cross the Tasman Sea by kayak.

Their dramatic journey, from Forster on the mid-NSW north coast to New Plymouth, New Zealand, is not only the first kayak expedition to cross the Tasman Sea, but has gone into the history books as the longest trans-oceanic kayak journey ever undertaken by two adventurers. Audiences will be captivated by hearing first-hand accounts of their travails.

2.30pm Team Musto Fashion Paradeis on stage. It's amazing just how the crowd becomes fascinated by technical clothing when it's being modeled by the great girls from Musto, and it's not just the guys who are riveted!

3.00pm, from Thursday until Sunday, the 2008 Tasmanian Nomination for Australian of the Year, solo sailor Ken Gourlay, who set a new record when he sailed solo non-stop round the World in 2007, will tell of his epic journey.

3.30pm each day, the very popular Gary Schipper from Stormy Seaswill present his Marine Safety presentation. Charismatic and concise, Gary always draws a crowd at the Sydney Boat Show. Stop by and you will see why.

4pm each day, Sail-World's Cruising Editor Nancy Knudsen, who has recently returned from devoting five years to a cruising circumnavigation of the world, will talk about the sights, sounds and savouring the experiences from that wonderful journey, comparing cultures and experiences as she explored the world's oceans and waterways with her Skipper/husband Ted Nobbs.

4.30pm, and the focus turns to racing for the next half hour. The sailing action is speeding up, as it will be just a week ahead of the Olympic sailing regatta in China,where Australia's team is eager for a good medal haul. British Olympian, Laura Baldwinwill be joined on stage by Australian and World champion sailors who will preview the Qingdao Olympic action.

5pm each day, back to cruising as Australian sailor Tony Mowbraywill transport you to another world. If you've ever dreamed of visiting Antarcticaor the Southern Ocean in a yacht, this is the presentation for you. There's some beautiful video footage of Antarctica complete with the eerie sound of shards of ice fragmenting around his boat.

5.30pm, every day except Friday when they are on at 7:30pm, will again feature the two young Australian kayakers, James Castrission and Justin James, back on stage with the Kayak they paddled from Australia to New Zealand.

6.00pm each day. If you've been thinking about taking a boating holiday, but haven't had time to plan one, come along to listen to Trevor Joyce from Mariner Boatingwho will be presenting 'Boating Holidays for sailors and power boaters'.

6.30pm each day, Team Musto Fashion Paradereturns, modeling the latest in technical and fashion wear again.

7.00pm, each day, the finale belongs to Jeff Jauncey, the principal of the NSW Boating Collegewho will inform and entertain with details of boating licence exams, training and safety courses that will equip people at all levels to become better, safer boaters.

7.30pm Wrapping up the action for the day, and leaving us all in the boating frame of mind as the show closes, watch the wonderful Marine Vision from Boat Books Australia.

Here's the full programme: