When, every January, there suddenly appear luxurious mega-yachts instead of excursion vessels on the Rhine by Düsseldorf, it’s a sign that a very special maritime rendezvous is approaching: the “boot” Düsseldorf.

Although the wintry weather during the world’s biggest water sports trade fair isn’t particularly inviting for taking part in spontaneous activities on, in or under the water – immediately after entering the fair premises, hundreds of thousands of visitors are already in the throes of imagining themselves on the beach or in a yacht club. To this effect, over 1500 exhibitors, grouped into several theme worlds – from fishhooks to handcrafts and fashion to racy yachts – have done their best to set up the most attractive showcase of pre-season maritime activities. The undisputed stars of the fair are surely to be found in Hall 6: the super-yachts, which can be bought by shoppers with a few million euros to spare.

Many exhibitors intentionally choose the “boot” fair to present their world premieres, or as a venue to invite experts from all areas of water sports for interested visitors. Whether a spontaneous dive, discussions with international and European champions about the coming trends or a stroll among the vast number of small and large boats that are nowhere else to be found in this formation, not even in a harbour: all factors that make the “boot” the most important event of the year in water sports. (Boot 2011, 42nd International Boot Exhibition Düsseldorf, January 22 - 30, 2011, Messe Düsseldorf.)