Boot Show Round-Up

Published 8 years agoon January 31, 2018

The Scubaverse team are back from one of the largest watersports show in the world, boot 2018, which was held in Dusseldorf over 9 days in January. Scuba diving was very well represented, packing hall 3 and part of hall 4 of this vast exhibition centre. The show is impressive, with 1,923 exhibitors from 68 different countries and 247,000 visitors from around the world. We went for 3 of the 9 days and it was not enough!

All the latest diving equipment was on show, with the major brands having huge stands and offering visiting divers the chance to see their full range of gear. Dive Centres and resorts from all corners of the globe were there to encourage diving travel. Training agencies were also there to discuss their programmes. Throughout each day, divers tried out equipment and techniques in the pool, which had circular windows to give those wandering around a chance to see inside. The central stage had informative talks in both English and German running throughout the event. And, of course, at the end of each day, there was always a celebration going on somewhere.

Underwater photography and videography had a special section where people could browse all the latest from housing manufacturers, lighting, action cameras, underwater drones and accessories. This section also had its own stage with talks about particular challenges and the best destinations on offer.

The show was a great opportunity to catch up with diving friends from all over the world, meet new divers and learn about new diving destinations. It was great to see all the new innovations in the diving industry, as well as underwater photography and videography, all in one place. Our visit led us to some exciting new opportunities and was well worth the trip from the UK. We will be heading back to Dusseldorf in 2019!

All photos: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann.

Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com