Water- and wind-sports on show at NBS

For a 360-degree view of the variety of wind- and water-sports available to those fearless souls who like their sports to be extreme, you can't beat the National Boat Show AND Dive Expo 2008 (NBS). NBS takes place from 15 - 17 August 2008 at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northriding, Johannesburg.

Whether you prefer a sport like wakeboarding, that keeps you close to the water, or kiteboarding, which makes you believe you just might be able to fly - everything's more fun when you just add water!

Imagine skateboarding across waves, with a kite strapped to your back and you'll have a fair notion of what kiteboarding is all about. Best of all, while it is an extreme sport, it's also one that can be mastered by nearly anyone, if you believe Kyle Holtzhauzen, Director of Amped, distributor of Liquid Force kiteboarding and wakeboarding gear.

He adds: “Kiteboarding is 90% about flying the kite and about 10% board skills, so you don't need amazing coordination and almost anyone can do it. You also don't need a boat, petrol or anyone to tow you - it's just you, the kite, the wind, the water and whatever the earth has to provide on the day. If you love solitary sports and the feeling of total freedom - this is for you.”

Check out the Liquid Force kiteboarding gear at Amped's stand at NBS. The company will also be announcing and showcasing the new agency it has acquired for a range of kiteboarding and wakeboarding helmets.

Closer to earth, there's wakeboarding. Once again, it's a bit like skateboarding, only with a boat to tow you and a wake to add variety to your routine - it's thrilling stuff!

As those in the know are all quick to point out, the social aspect of wakeboarding is a major factor driving its popularity. Not only do you need someone to drive the boat and tow you, but there is never any shortage of friends and family who want to tag along for the fun of it.

Cameron Rein, Brand Manager of O'Brien, veteran provider of wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing and watersports accessories adds: “It's fun to learn and much easier than skiing. Wakeboarding is a bit like skateboarding, surfing and skiing, combined.”

Keep an eye open at NBS for the 2008 O'Brien wakeboarding range, and definitely for the ballast tank it will be showing off to help devotees achieve that all-important, bigger wake to raise the bar on their performance.

Other names to look out for are Liquid Force and Straightline - a Califonia-based company whose wakeboarding accessories also include a ballast tank - from local distributor Amped, as well as Ronix Wakeboards from Boating International.

If you thought kiteboarding was as much fun as you can have with wind, then best you reserve judgement till you've investigated the exciting new Blokart at NBS. This Kiwi invention looks like a hybrid go-kart-windsurfer and packs a mighty punch in the adrenalin department. Definitely not designed for water, it is however as much fun as you can have on the shoreline, if fishing's not your thing!

It wouldn't be NBS if there wasn't a full house of exciting events. This year, you can look forward to the second annual live weigh-in of the Bass Africa Classic fishing tournament, spectacular action at the Wake Wars Pro Wakeskating Competition, socialising at the stylish Peroni Sports Bar, celebrity scuba diving speakers and demos, and more.

Wind, waves, water and a healthy dose of courage are all you need to unlock a whole lot of fun! Come see all the latest gear at NBS. 15 - 17 August 2008 at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northriding, Johannesburg. For more info on all the action visit www.nationalboatshow.co.za