Grand Rapids Boat Show

Speakers & Events

PLEASE NOTE:

The following information is from the 2010 Grand Rapids Boat Show.

Big Air Wakeboard Show

Presented by Action Water Sports and Placid Wake Park

Pro wakeboarders will be at the Huge Lagoon to show off their amazing skills throughout the weekend.  Wakeboarding right in the convention center!  Watch pro wakeboarders James Hindes, Glenn Valentine, Scot Ferwerda, Danny Thollander, Phillip Soven and Ben DeKleine perform their best aerial maneuvers with high splashing fanfare.  Action Water Sports of Hudsonville, one of Boating Industry Magazine's Top 100 dealers in the U.S., will bring these performances to West Michigan for the 2nd year.  No Boat Show in North America has such an indoor property capable of displaying floating boats of this size and holding real aerial wakeboarding demonstrations.  Don't miss your chance to see this action sport up close!

Immediately following the Big Air Wakeboard Show meet the pros and the crew from Action Water Sports.  They'll be on hand to answer your questions and give you some tips.  Get ready for summer fun!

Kayak Clinic & Demo

Presented by Powers Outdoors

The experts at Powers Outdoors will have live in-water demos right on the Huge Lagoon!  They will show you how to enter and exit a kayak, various paddling techniques, important kayak maneuvers and more.  They'll also discuss the different types of boats and kayaking gear. 

Boating Safety Certification Course

Get your Certification done in one day by the Kent County Sheriff Dept. Marine Division on Saturday, February 20, and be ready to hit the water this summer!  Typically these classes take multiple evenings.  Here is your opportunity to get certified, a legal necessity in order to command a motorized vessel without supervision for all those under the age of 16.  (And simply a smart thing to do!)  All those born after 1978 must have this certification to operate a PWC.

Paddling in West Michigan

Seminar presented by Gabriel Slominski of Powers Outdoors in conjunction with The Outdoor Adventure Co.

Gabriel will give an overview of the rivers and paddling techniques that are common in West Michigan.


Greg Hoffman

This Muskegon resident is a senior certified marine electronic technician that has authored many marine electronic standards and testing criteria.  Greg has 25 years of experience in marine electronics and he is a 2 term board member for the National Marine Electronics Association.  He is the co-author of "Installation Standards," a NMEA publication.  Greg is also FCC licensed, manufacturer service certified, and a commercial ship inspector.

Do It Yourself - Electronics Installation

Presented by Greg Hoffman of the Mariners' Center

Greg will present tips on how to install your own marine electronics and do it correctly. 

Latest Trends in Marine Electronics

Presented by Greg Hoffman of the Mariners Center

Greg will discuss the latest developments and how you can apply them to your boating lifestyle.