The people behind an increasingly popular water sport hope even more people will start "doing it standing up", as they prepare for the boat show.
The 2010 Boat and Leisure Show takes place at Baypark Stadium, Mt Maunganui from tomorrow and stand up paddleboarding is one of the many new displays expected todraw a crowd.
Bill Dawes of NZ Paddle Company said stand up paddleboarding was the fastest growing sport in the world and it was "coming-of-age" with the introduction of inflatable boards, which will be showcased this weekend.
"The big problem with stand up paddleboarding is the sheer size of the boards ... tackling this problem has resulted in some innovative solutions, including two piece and three piece boards, but the winner has undoubtedly been the inflatable products."
Mr Dawes said these boards offered high performance and durability while packing away in just a few minutes to a tiny size. The stand up paddleboarding display is just one of 100 exhibitors expected to draw about 9000 visitors.
Organisers say this year's show will be jammed packed with boating and leisure goodies.
The show will feature three new pavilions hosting hunting and fishing areas, great outdoors areas, new boats, fishing gear, show specials, top prizes, educational areas, live entertainment and "sexy seafood" as some of the show's catering.
Graeme Martin, of Bay Events Limited, said there would also be a Women's World and special cooking area.
Some of the country's top boats will be on show with everything from glass to aluminium to wood and materials some people have never heard before, Mr Martin said.
The show would be "something that people can enjoy and stay and play and see everything at once at the same place at the same time".
The Boat and Leisure Show is at Baypark from Friday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Adults $10, or two for $10 on Friday. Kids 13 and under free.
WHEN AND WHERE What: Tauranga Boat and Leisure Show.
Where: Baypark Stadium.
When: September 10-12.
Time: 10am-5pm.
Cost: $10.
