Haven KJ on Tour:
May 2024

All boat types HKJ

May 2024 saw the start of a busy boating event season for the industry. From sponsoring regattas to hosting waterfront parties, our calendar was brimming with excitement. So, what have the Haven KJ crew been up to?

Three people wearing sunglasses smile for a photo outdoors, with a large building and clear sky in the background.

Jersey Boat Show
4th-6th May

We kicked off the busy period with a trip over to St Helier in Jersey where Paul Knox-Johnston, Sales and Marketing Manager, and Kayley Prebble, Senior Underwriter and Quinton Hall, Marine Business Development, hosted a networking evening for brokers and business partners from both the industry and the islands ahead of the Barclay’s Jersey Boat Show.

Kip Regatta
11th-12th May

From the Channel Islands to Scotland, Paul made his way up to the Firth of Clyde to represent Haven KJ at the Haven Knox-Johnston 2024 Kip Regatta. An exhilarating weekend that kicked off the Scottish racing calendar, with sailors from all corners of the Clyde gathered to compete in closely fought contests across various classes. Congratulations to all the winners and runners up, particularly the crew onboard ‘Blue Jay’ who took first place overall.

A group of eight men stand in a row indoors, several holding trophies, in front of a banner for Scotland's Premier Marinas.
Howden exhibition stand at a trade show. Displays promotional materials and seating area with attendees setting up.

BIBA Conference
15th-16th May

There was no let up for Paul as he set a course for Manchester to join Howden at The BIBA Conference 2024. This was a chance for Howden to showcase their extensive range of schemes and other specialist solutions that make up the Howden for Brokers portfolio, including Haven Knox-Johnston!

Farndon Open Day
18th-19th May

Paul barely had a chance to catch his breath and he was on his way to Farndon Marina with Kelly for their inaugural Farndon Open Weekend. On this gloriously sunny but breezy weekend, the Haven KJ crew met with existing customers and prospects, and of course they made a lot of new furry friends, all trying on the latest fashion accessory – our most popular Haven KJ doggy bandanas with a fresh new design for 2024!

A woman stands at a Haven Knox-Johnston Commercial booth with banners, a table, and a van in the background, set up in an outdoor area.
People attending a canal boat festival, with numerous boats docked and various stalls set up under a partly cloudy sky.

Crick Boat Show
24th-27th May

The late Bank Holiday weekend saw one of our favourite events of the year – the Crick Boat Show! We kicked off the weekend with the Trade & Preview Day sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston Commercial, hosting an exhibitor’s breakfast and a drop-in clinic. The Saturday saw a visit from our favourite inland vloggers Fran and Rich from Floating our Boat, who were on our stand during the day, before a Q&A on the stage in the afternoon (watch full video below). During the show we saw hundreds of customers (and dogs!) at our two stands where we spoke about all things inland waterways, Favourite Boats in Show (sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston) and maybe even the odd bit about insurance. The weather was mixed but a great weekend was had by all with live bands at night and some of our intrepid crew camping out for the whole weekend in some very changeable conditions.

International Paint Poole Regatta
25th-27th May

Also taking place over the late Bank Holiday Weekend was the Poole Regatta, where our very own skippers, Ian Braham on “Haven KJ Enigma” and Yvonne and Quinton Hall, from Haven Knox-Johnston Specialist in Poole, onboard  “Haven KJ Y-Qnot” took to the waters. A weekend of idyllic sailing conditions out in Poole Harbour saw some very close racing with “Haven KJ Enigma”, blowing out her mainsail on the penultimate day but having it repaired in time for racing the next day and only going and winning their class and becoming national champions to boot. “Haven KJ Y-Qnot” also battled some great conditions and came 2nd overall in their class.

A group of sailors maneuvers a sailboat named 'Haven Knox Johnston' on a sunny day with buildings and a hillside in the background.
Numerous boats are docked at a marina with people walking along the boardwalks under a cloudy sky. Flags with branding are displayed.

Thames Valley Boat Show
31st May – 2nd June

To finish off a busy month in the boating event calendar, Paul and Kelly headed to Penton Hook Marina in Chertsey for the Thames Valley Boat Show. A highly anticipated regional event, showcasing a wide variety of boats and bringing together top-tier marine businesses from all along the length of the River Thames. A weekend of changeable weather with opportunities to meet existing customers and do a few quotes on the beautiful banks of the River Thames just outside Chertsey.

Stay tuned for more events that we’ll be attending throughout the Summer!

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