Home / Events / Toronto Boat Show is celebrating 65 years as Canada’s premier boating event

Toronto Boat Show is celebrating 65 years as Canada’s premier boating event

TORONTO January 12, 2023 – Canada’s premier boating marketplace returns as in-person show at the Enercare Centre for the first time since 2020. With more than 450 exhibitors the Toronto International Boat Show is one of North America’s premier boating events, and it will mark its highly anticipated return to an in-person consumer show, January 20 – 29.

Celebrating 65 years as Toronto’s biggest boating event, this year’s show will debut more than 100 product innovations, new recreational boats and water sports accessories, and more electric boats than ever before.

The boating industry has seen unprecedented demand over the past three years, and with the catalyst of the pandemic, the industry has also experienced exponential growth in product advances and technology across all marine sectors.

The Toronto Boat Show is THE boating event of the year, and best place to discover the latest trends and innovations, to connect directly with boat dealers and manufacturers, and to get unbiased information and answers to boating-related questions.

Waterskiing and Wakeboarding “jam” showcases on The Lake will entertain throughout the 10-day event, culminating with thrilling finale shows on closing weekend, Jan. 27 – 29. *photo by TIBS*

For the first time since 2020, boaters and outdoor water enthusiasts will be able to attend the Toronto Boat Show to see, touch, board, and speak to more than 450 exhibitors to get ready for the upcoming season ahead.

Hundreds of boats of all sizes and lifestyles will be available to purchase and pre-order from fishing dinghies to family pontoons, sailboats to inflatable boats, powerboats and wake boats – and plenty of paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and inflatables.

And hot off the heels of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the newest technology in electric boats will be making a big splash at the 2023 Toronto Boat Show with more sustainable alternatives by way of boats, motors, and solar-powered accessories than ever before.

Table of Contents

Here’s what’s happening at this year’s Toronto International Boat Show 2023

Kicking off the return of the Boat Show will be First Look Friday on January 20, a preview opportunity for the boating community to come together, and for exhibitors to celebrate new product launches and special announcements on the show floor which will be live streamed on TIBS TV and hosted by Water Ways television personality, Steve Bull. A portion of ticket sales from First Look Friday will be donated to the show’s partner charities.

Transforming the ice rink in Coca-Cola Coliseum with over a million gallons of water, The Lake will offer free boat rides and demonstrations, stand up paddleboard races, and hands on activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and wakeboarding lessons! *photo by TIBS*

The world’s largest indoor Lake for boaters is also back in 2023 to put some summer in winter! Transforming the ice rink in Coca-Cola Coliseum with over a million gallons of water, The Lake will offer free boat rides and demonstrations, stand up paddleboard races, and hands on activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and wakeboarding lessons! The Indoor Wakeboard Canadian Championship takes over on Opening Weekend (Jan. 20 – 22) when the best riders from across the country converge to compete, including reigning Canadian champions Riley Dillon (Men) and Kelsey Chiappa (Women). Waterskiing and Wakeboarding “jam” showcases on The Lake will entertain throughout the 10-day event, culminating with thrilling finale shows on closing weekend, Jan. 27 – 29.
Additional highlights include:

Boating experts from around the world will be on stage to educate, inspire, and entertain audiences by sharing their spellbinding adventures, advice and expertise on a variety of boating subjects and interests. *photo by TIBS*

The Great Canadian Fish Tank – A 40ft aquarium stocked with native Ontario marine species, where fishing enthusiasts and novices can gain tips and techniques to cast, lure, and catch the big one.

Canada SailGP Team: Join Canada SailGP Team’s Flight Controller, Billy Gooderham to hear all about the most exciting on-water race where nine teams compete in 11 events around the world on high-tech hydrofoil catamarans.

Celebrate Antique and Vintage Boats: Canada’s rich boating history spans over 100 years; and Ontario is home to an amazing array of antique mahogany launches, cedar strips, classic fiberglass runabouts, and ski boats. Get up close to the craftsmanship of these beautiful boats, and learn about the history behind them.

For programming and seminar schedules, and more information about the 2023 Toronto International Boat Show, go to www.TorontoBoatShow.com. Ticket prices start at $5, and General Admission is $22. photo by TIBS

Kids & Classics Boatshops Museum: Great for the entire family, participants can carve a miniature paddle, assemble an antique outboard, and enjoy other fun activities while learning about the Classics Boatshops Museum where antique boats are restored and community boat-building programs.

More than 300 Free Hourly Seminars: Boating experts from around the world will be on stage to educate, inspire, and entertain audiences by sharing their spellbinding adventures, advice and expertise on a variety of boating subjects and interests. Click here for seminar speakers and schedules.

NEW this year, the Toronto Boat Show will feature a Boaters Resource Centre. Various boating authorities and recreational organizations including Parks Canada, Canadian Power and Sail Squadron, Transport Canada, and Boating Ontario to name a few, will be on hand to provide unbiased answers and information to empower safe boating, confidence, and preparation to get out on the water and discover the boating lifestyle.

The Show offers plenty of educational resources from licenses to boat insurance and boat-handling for boaters of all skill levels.

Tickets to the boat show

For programming and seminar schedules, and more information about the 2023 Toronto International Boat Show, go to www.TorontoBoatShow.com. Ticket prices start at $5, and General Admission is $22.

The Toronto Boat Show in partnership with GO Transit is pleased to offer combination Boat Show Tickets and GO Transit Combo Passes to take visitors right to Exhibition Place and the Enercare Centre. For more information on GO Transit schedules, TTC and UP Express public transportation, go to TorontoBoatShow.com.

Canada’s premier boating marketplace returns as in-person show at the Enercare Centre **January 20 – 29**. *photo by TIBS*

Where is the boat show?

2023 Toronto International Boat Show
Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place

When is the boat show?

First Look Friday (Preview) – January 20
12pm – 7pm

January 21 – 29, 2023:
Weekdays (23 – 27)
11am – 7pm
Saturdays (21 & 28)
10am – 6pm
Sunday, January 22
10am – 6pm
Sunday, January 29
10am – 5pm

More about the Toronto International Boat Show

The Toronto International Boat Show is owned and produced by Canadian Boat Shows. In generating more than $354 million in economic impact to the region, it is the Largest Indoor Boat Show in North America. More boats are purchased at the Toronto International Boat Show than at any other place or event in Canada. About 43% of Canadians (12.4 million people) participate in boating and 20% (6 million) own a boat. Direct revenues across Canada’s core recreational boating industry total nearly $5 billion per year, and directly employ approximately 45,000 Canadians. (NMMA Canada – The Economic Impact of Recreational Boating in Canada).

Other articles from totimes.ca – otttimes.ca – mtltimes.ca