Features at a Glance
NEW! Fred's Shed—DIY Seminars & Interactive Learning Center
Watch, learn and do! If you're a do-it-yourselfer or boat owner interested in learning new techniques for taking care of your boat or motor, head to Fred's Shed for practical, professional advice. Free daily sessions cover a variety of topics.
Click here for a complete schedule
NEW! The World of SCUBA
Jacque Ives Cousteau could never have imagined the world he was creating back in 1942 when he created the Aqua Lung. Today millions of people have become certified divers. Not only is there an interest in learning about the aquatic world…there is an interest to experience the underwater world. Fresh water and salt water offer two totally different experiences with one common thing; no matter where you dive you are a visitor to a unique part of the earth. It could be the wrecks on Lake Michigan to the reefs of the Caribbean; it could be a dive with a whale shark in Cancun to the reefs of Fiji.
This exciting new interactive feature allows you to begin your fantastic voyage into the world of SCUBA right in McCormick Place. Anyone age 10 and older can discover this fun and exciting sport in the comfort of a heated pool. We will explain some basic dive rules and skills, then head underwater. All necessary equipment, including wet suits, will be provided. Free for all participants!
You also won't want to miss to Intro to SCUBA seminar, being held daily at the Welcome to the Water Center. This eye opening seminar could change your life. Discover the Word of Scuba and how you can become a diver. You’ll be introduced to the basic and learn about equipment, both new and old. And you’ll be amazed to learn about the great diving that can be done right here in the Great Lakes. Here, it is always different and guaranteed to be a memorable experience.
Wet-suits will be provided. Please bring a swimsuit and towel.
NEW! PaddleFest
See and learn everything you’ll need to know about the exciting world of paddle sports. From Kayak Fishing to Stand Up Paddleboarding, experts will be on hand to demonstrate why these healthy outdoor activities have become all the rage.
Paddles Up! Learn what’s hot in fishing kayaks, recreational kayaks, stand up paddleboards and whitewater kayaks. Free boat demos offered throughout the show. Come see the boats in action and try one out for free! Visit with renowned kayak fishing pro Drew Gregory (basserdrew.com).
What’s SUP? Check out the fastest growing paddlesport – Stand Up Paddleboards – SUP. Find out how SUP’s are used to catch fish, catch rays and catch waves! Come test one out during demo time. Try the SUP simulator and learn about SUP Yoga.
Load and Go! Find out how to get your gear there. Check out the coolest campers/trailers ever. Come see the revolutionary “Space” and “Go” trailers. See how easy it is to load and go with innovative racks and transportation systems by Yakima, Thule and Malone.
Adventure Travel – Gear up and head out! Find out great places to have outdoor adventures, many within an hour or two of the Chicagoland area. Learn about MicroAdventuring, Paddle and Trail’s Regional Signature Trips, and Winter Escapes to warmer places.
Free Paddlesport Demos offered daily in the pool – Test out kayaks, fishing kayaks, canoes, Stand Up Paddleboards for free.
Click Here for Complete PaddleFest Seminar Schedule
Pool Demos & Programming sponsored by Paddle & Trail - Confuence Watersports - Johnson Outdoors - Jackson Kayak - Hobie Cat - Dagger - Mad River - Perception -Wilderness Systems BIC SUP - Hovie SUP
NEW! Evolution of Boat Building: Seven Decades of Innovation
NEW! Power Boat Docking Challenge
Exciting radio-controlled boat docking game lets you test your navigational skills and compete for a chance to win great prizes! Race against the clock using an actual full-size boat helm to steer your craft down a 20-ft. "lake" to the marina and into a slip. Best time wins—but be careful—any contact with the slip counts against your time. Whether you're an experienced skipper or novice boater, it's a fun way to show off your skills or become more confident at the helm.
Rail Jam—Back and better than ever!!
Prepare to be amazed! Watch as pro wakeboarders perform spectacular tricks and
stunts on a 160' landing pool. Unlike on-the-water competitions where the riders are
100 feet away on the lake, this is up-in-your-face action with riders blasting 20-ft airs
off the kicker right on the show floor!
Don't miss world-class Pro Wakeboarders Phil Soven, Kyle Alberts & Clayton Underwood performing daily!
Show Times
Thursday 5pm & 8pm
Friday 2pm, 5pm & 8pm
Saturday 12pm, 2pm, 5pm & 8pm
Sunday 12pm, 2pm & 4pm
Monday 12pm & 2pm
Produced by Step Up Productions.
NEW! Welcome to the Water Center
Get started in boating or learn how to make the most of your time on the water. The Discover Boating Center is your one-stop resource for boating information and advice
- Straightforward answers to all your boating questions
- Expert, unbiased advice on finding a boat that best suits your lifestyle and your budget
- Information you can trust and local resources to help you get started
Click here for a complete schedule of Boating 101 seminars
Boating on a Budget
Think owning a boat is out of your reach? Think again! When it comes to enjoyable ways to spend your leisure time, boating is far more affordable than you may realize. Be sure to stop by and check out this special showcase of boats you can own for less than $250 per month.
When you compare the costs of boating to a single day at an amusement park or a trip to any major league game, you'll find that dollar for dollar, boating is really quite affordable. See for yourself how boating can stretch your vacation and leisure time budget:
Compare Costs of Boating vs. Other Leisure Activities
Watch why this Chicago Family shops the show!
Ultimate Camp Cooking Show—Back for a 2nd Year!
Camping is one of America’s favorite past-times, a way to relax and let go of the stress life dishes out. Many people think that an excursion into the forest may mean ditching the stars on your big screen TV for a star-filled sky, but there's no need to leave behind ALL the comforts of civilization behind.
ULTIMATE CAMP COOKING replaces traditional camp fare of hot dogs and freeze-dried meal pouches with choice cuts of meat, fresh vegetables and scrumptious fish. It’s the good life gone wild—filled with delicious, mouth-watering dishes prepared by the funniest chefs around!
Your hosts, Ultimate Camp Chefs and Comedians Pat Mac and Mike Faverman, show you how to cook and grill healthy, yet delicious, campground dishes on a reasonable budget. They will also discuss the right supplies and demonstrate how to get the very best out of a Dutch oven, grill, foil wrap, and stove top cooking—all seasoned with plenty of laughs along the way!
Click here for a complete schedule.
Miss GEICO Racing Boat
Feed your need for speed—see one of the world’s fastest offshore racing boats! This legendary craft is powered with the same turbine engines that flew missions in the first Gulf War and is capable of reaching speeds of more than 185 miles per hour. At 40 feet and weighing 10,000 pounds, this MTI turbine race boat is run by a crew of six, including Driver Marc Granet.
The boat has set two world records and participated in more than 15 races around the world in 2007. She won back-to-back world championships at the 2006 and 2007 Offshore Super Series and captured Championships at Super Boat International and Offshore Performance Association. In October 2007, Miss GEICO shattered another milestone when she hit an average top speed of 188.26 mph on the Mississippi River.
Huck Finn Trout Pond
FREE fishing for children 12 and younger. There's no limit to the fun! Catch-and-release trout pond, stocked with frisky trout is a grest way to introduce kids to the sport of fishing. Adding to the fun—great prizes for any lucky little angler who catches a specially tagged trout. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the moment when your little angler reels in a "big one"!
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