London International Boat Show 2012

Hundreds of exhibitors display boats from dinghies to sailing vessels at this fair, including some lined up along the quarter-mile-long marina beside the ExCeL Centre. The centrepiece is the watersports action pool, which gives visitors the chance to watch and try out activities such as stand-up paddle boarding, wakeboarding, windsurfing, dinghy sailing, canoeing and kayaking. There's also a sail handling demo rig, model boat pool and picnic area, and the Knowledge Box, with talks by professionals and industry experts. New for 2012 are cookery demonstrations, showcasing dishes that can be prepared in all sizes of galley.