*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* Gig Harbor, WA

Small Boats: Gateway to the Waterfront Lifestyle! Gig Harbor Boat Works celebrates their 39^th year at the Seattle Boat Show with an impressive lineup of high-quality small sailboats and rowboats. New this year, they will showcase the many benefits of small boats in daily rigging and rowing demonstrations at their booth (West Hall #37). World-record setting rowing adventurer Jordan Hanssen will also be on hand to inspire visitors with a seminar series sharing his real-life rowing adventures (stage 2).

Small boats are a great way for beginners and experienced boaters alike to get out on the water. They are convenient, eco-friendly, and have a lower cost of ownership than larger boats. Because of all these factors, and the fact that they are so easy and fun to operate, there is a renewed interest in small boat sailing and rowing. People that never thought they could own a boat are learning that small boats are an accessible and sustainable way to experience the joys of our beautiful waterways. Small rowing and sailing boats allow people to get up close to wildlife and explore in ways other boats cannot.

Sailing is a fun and accessible way to get started boating. Rigging demonstrations at the Gig Harbor Boat Works booth will help visitors see how quickly and easily these simple sailboats can be rigged, allowing sailors to take advantage of a nice breeze with a moment’s notice.

“Many people are interested in sailing but don’t know where to start. These sailboats are great for newcomers because they are quick to rig and simple to operate. Our boats let you spend more time sailing and less time rigging and maintaining your boat,” says Katie Malik, lifelong PNW native and General Manager of Gig Harbor Boat Works.

Rowing is another appealing way to get into the waterfront lifestyle, whether you’re new to rowing or making the leap from a rowing machine to a real rowboat. Demonstrations, seminars and Q&As offered at the boat show will help people learn how easy it is to get exercise while enjoying the beauty of our northwest waterways.

“Rowing is an eco-friendly activity that lets you experience nature without impacting the native environment as you are exploring,” Malik says. “It’s a fantastic way to exercise and reconnect with your body and mind. Not to mention, it’s physically impossible to mindlessly scroll on your phone when your hands are busy rowing a pair of oars!”

Adventure rower Jordan Hanssen will be at the show Feb 6-8th in seminars sharing his experiences rowing across the Atlantic (twice) and circumnavigating the Olympic Peninsula by rowboat. A supplemental Q&A, “How to Row Anywhere,” will be offered at the Gig Harbor Boat Works booth for those who are thinking about an adventure row of their own.

The demos, seminars, and Q&A sessions are all free with admission to the Seattle Boat Show. For more information, see www.ghboats.com

Demos & Q&As at Gig Harbor Boat Works booth (West 37)

• Balanced Lug Rigging Demo
• Sloop Rigging Demo
• Sliding Seat Rowing Intro
• Q&A: How to Row Anywhere with Jordan Hanssen
• Sails & Ales Sailing Story Swap hosted by Jordan Hanssen

Seminars with Jordan Hanssen (Stage 2)

Feb 6: Adventure Close to Home: Circumnavigating the Olympic Peninsula by Rowboat

Feb 7: Six Months on a Rum Runner: Sailing Cargo in the Modern Era

Feb 8: Rowing Across the North Atlantic: New York to England (this world-record setting crossing took place using sliding seats made by Gig Harbor Boat Works)

Feb 8: Rowing Across the Atlantic: Capsize!

EVENT SCHEDULE:

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