El Niño Ate the Boat Show

Anyone who’s spent a real winter on the water there can tell you that San Francisco’s South Bay can fetch up some nasty wave action in stormy weather. We hadn’t had a ‘real’ winter in a few years, until this season’s El Niño broke the trend of fine weather in January.

After a steady stream of storm fronts churned up the sea state, the temporary docks that were intended for use in McCovey Cove for the Progressive San Francisco Boat Show on January 15-18 would have resembled bucking broncos more than safe walkways. So, the organizers at the National Marine Manufacturer Association made the tough decision to postpone the third edition of the City’s boat show until April 28-May 1. "El Niño is wreaking havoc on the Bay Area, and, as a result, is forcing us to change our plans for the San Francisco Boat Show," wrote NMMA’s vice president, Dave Geoffroy, on January 8.

Then, on January 25, NMMA announced that there would, after all, be no show this year. "After speaking with many exhibitors over the past couple weeks, and running into significant challenges that a last-minute move requires, we have decided to cancel this year’s show," said Geoffroy. "Anyone who purchased a ticket online pre-event will be refunded. To have tickets refunded, please contact Rosemary Stomp." The NMMA is also refunding exhibitor space rental fees and suggests that exhibitors contact the show manager, Katharina Klanck with questions related to the show’s cancellation.

"While we won’t see you in San Francisco this year, I hope you’ll join us at another NMMA California show in Los Angeles, February 25-28, and San Diego, June 16-19," added Geoffroy.