After a strong start last year, the 2009 North Wales Boat Show (24-26 July) has raised the bar still further with over 12,000 visitors to its three day event on the Vaynol Estate, on the shores of the Menai Strait near Bangor.

North Wales Boat Show 2009 – See photo album by David Rainsbury

Photo by David Rainsbury

Speaking at the show’s opening, Local MP Betty Williams, Alan Morgan of National Boat Shows and Simon Owen of IPC Marine Media all praised event organiser Ben Sutcliffe for his energy and enthusiasm “in the face of some of the toughest trading conditions many of us have ever experienced.”

Around a thousand children got afloat on the lake courtesy of the NBS sponsored Come and Try a Watersport activity with dinghies and kayaks out on the lake, a driving school offered trailer reversing lessons or try a scuba dip in Rhosnigr Sub Aqua Club’s pool.

Strong sales were reported, one exhibitor selling five boats, another, three.