Campaign encourages Kiwis to discover boating

Press release 4 November 2009

Campaign launches to encourage Kiwis to discover boating

Following Labour Weekend, the official start of the boating season, a new campaign is launching to convince landlubbers to get their feet wet.

The Marine Industry Association of New Zealand is rolling out Discover Boating – a national awareness campaign to inspire Kiwis unfamiliar with boating to dip their big toes in and experience what the ultimate leisure activity has to offer.

Bob Tait, chairman of the Discover Boating campaign, says the campaign will prompt a new wave of New Zealanders to join the boating scene.

“With one in eight Kiwis owning a boat, New Zealand has a high level of boat ownership,” he says. “However the marine industry realises that if it is to continue to grow, it needs to encourage more people to take the plunge.

“Discover Boating will connect with all sorts of people on many different levels – new migrants to New Zealand, the growing number of baby boomers looking for an enriching pastime and a younger audience yet to experience boating.”

Mr Tait says it’s an opportunity for people to learn how affordable, accessible and enjoyable boating is.

“It’s the ultimate leisure activity with something on offer for every age and every stage.”

A key element of the new awareness campaign is Discover Boating’s website www.discoverboating.co.nz – a one-stop information portal for people interested in learning more about boating.

Whether a person is considering jumping on board a vessel for the first time or they’re ready to buy a boat, www.discoverboating.co.nz has everything they need to know. Boating tips, resources and information are just a click away.

Fully interactive with links to social media pages on Twitter and FaceBook, the website also features a Discover Boating ambassador, affectionately dubbed the “Boating Babe”.

At www.discoverboating.co.nz people can:
• Learn how to convince their spouse into buying a boat with the Spousal Conversion Kit
• Locate marinas and ramps around New Zealand
• Check out great (often hidden) spots to go boating
• Read about the Adventures of the Boating Babe, the campaign’s ambassador
• Learn about different kinds of boating activities
• Join a boating club

To celebrate the launch Discover Boating is giving away a complete boating package worth over $32,000. The prize consists of a 5.05m Dominator from Canterbury’s Fi-Glass Boats, Yamaha 70 hp oil injected 2 stroke outboard motor, trailer and accessory package from Diversified Products including anchor, chain, warp, two Line 7 jackets, paddle, boat hook, outboard flag, motor, flusher, fire extinguisher and 54 inch ski tube. Six Viking Nemo Kayaks worth $888 each are also up for grabs.

The Discover Boating competition with the Sunday Star-Times will run throughout November. Details will be published in the Sunday Star-Times and entry is via the Discover Boating website www.discoverboating.co.nz. The winner will be announced in the Sunday star-Times on December 6.

ENDS

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