MAKING WAVES

Boat and vote

The Sydney International Boat Show was the launch platform for a new iFish, iBoat and iVote campaign. "We must ensure that our politicians really understand the important economic, social and environmental benefits that fishing and boating brings to Australia," Boating Industries Alliance Australia chairman Darren Vaux says. The policy platform sets out four pillars: safety and education; access and infrastructure; regulatory reform; and industry and community support. For more details, see fishboatvote.com.au.

Paddle safe

Those who regularly navigate Sydney Harbour and surrounding waterways know the kayak is omnipresent. Mostly, their operators demonstrate good skills. Responding to the increasing number of canoe and kayak paddlers, Transport for NSW's Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs is promoting a paddle-safety campaign. See boatforlife.com.au/paddle-safe.

Riviera riches

Riviera says it has continued to defy industry trends, recording $37 million in new boat sales in eight weeks, including two 63 Enclosed Flybridges and two of the company's flagship 75 Enclosed Flybridges for Australian and international owners. The sales follow Riviera's Festival of Boating in May, which recorded 14 new boat sales totalling $21 million. Despite manufacturing challenges, Riviera exported 55 per cent of production last financial year. "I am very excited about the future of Australian manufacturing and I am very committed to manufacturing in Queensland," Riviera's owner Rodney Longhurst says.

Clippers to Hobart

A fleet of 12 Clipper 70 yachts competing in a round-the-world race will join this year's Sydney-to-Hobart yachting classic. Having started the 40,000-nautical-mile race on September 1 from London, the Clipper fleet will arrive in Sydney after the fourth of its eight-leg race. This will be the first Sydney-to-Hobart for Clipper but not for the Clipper race's originator, Sir Robin Knox Johnston, who competed in the 2010 Sydney-to-Hobart aboard Titania of Cowes. A fleet of 80 yachts is expected for the 628-nautical-mile race, which starts on Boxing Day. Other notable entries so far include Nikata, a Swan 82; Ichi Ban, a new Carkeek 60; and Knee Deep, a Farr 49. The boat to beat for line honours will be Bob Oatley's supermaxi Wild Oats XI, skippered by Mark Richards.

David Lockwood