Husky hoops great joins over 1,100 on Thursday at Lake Union Boats Afloat Show

SEATTLE, Sept. 14, 2006 –University of Washington basketball great Nate Robinson was among the 1,100 boating enthusiast to walk the docks of the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show—one of the largest floating shows on the West Coast—on Thursday at Chandler’s Cove on South Lake Union. Two-day attendance at the five-day show is over 2,200 boating enthusiasts.

UW Husky hoops great Nate Robinson takes a turn at the helm of Adventure Yacht’s new Regency 670, Cunundrum. Nate was among 1,100 boating enthusiasts to visit the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show on Thursday.

Robinson, who led the Huskies in scoring during each of his three UW seasons and is entering his second year with the NBA New York Knicks, stopped by to take-in some of the boats at Chandler’s Cove after enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

Day two of the floating show included free sailboat rides for kids and kids at heart courtesy of Sail Northwest along with the children’s life jacket giveaway. The first 300 kids at the Boats Afloat Show are being fitted with a free life jacket courtesy of Fisheries Supply and Stearns and is a part of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Children’s Water Safety Education Program in partnership with Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, U.S. Coast Guard and other marine groups.

On the lighter side at the Boat Show Dog Trials, Cash, a three-year-old German Wirehaired Pointer from West Seattle along with his human Stephanie Rainwater, shaved 20 seconds off of the previous course record to take top dog honors with a 24-second performance and advance to Sunday's grand final.
 
Melody, a four-year-old Golden Retriever and her human Scott Rohrer of Ballard finished second to also advance. Rohr, an avid sailor who has skippered crews to regatta wins on Pacific, Mediterranean and Scandinavian waters, took time away as an exhibitor at the show with Rich Haynie Insurance, to compete in Thursday's trials.

Nine boatyard dogs were vying for barking rights on Thursday including a Pyrenean Shepherd, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Australian Shepherd and a very vocal Border Collie.
 
The Boats Afloat Show, which runs through Sunday, features over 350 sail and power boats for all budgets and lifestyles ranging from 17-foot affordable, trailerable boats to eight luxury yachts over 80 feet in length. On the exotic side, a 130-foot mega-yacht and a 32-foot personal submarine will be on exhibit -- and for sale at the Boats Afloat Show.

Gates open daily at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday). Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, are available at www.BoatsAfloatShow.com or at the show.

Getting There
Located at Chandler's Cove on South Lake Union, the Boats Afloat Show is just off the I-5 Mercer Street exit. Designated parking for $5 per day is located at 5th and Mercer about five blocks west of the show near the Seattle Center. A free shuttle runs between the Boat Show and the 5th and Mercer parking lot every 15 minutes during show hours.
 
Help Ease South Lake Union Traffic – Take the Lake Union Water Taxi
Seattle's Electric Boat Company will provide water taxi service on-call and from various locations around Lake Union throughout the show, beginning one hour prior to opening and concluding one hour following closing. Cost is $5 each-way. Call 206-223-7476 to arrange for pick-up.

About the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association
The Northwest Yacht Brokers Association www.nwyachtbrokers.com is a non-profit marine trade group founded in 1988 consisting of over 340 marine brokers, dealers and other industry professionals representing over 230 marine-related businesses in the Pacific Northwest. Subscribing to the strictest code of ethics, NYBA members are committed to bringing integrity and professionalism to the buying and selling process of new and previously owned pleasure craft. NYBA plays an active role in marine youth and education programs and is active in creating a greater interest in the welfare and safety of the boating public. Along with the Northwest Marine Trade Association, NYBA's January and September Boats Afloat Shows connect thousands of boating enthusiasts with marine professionals and the finest pleasure craft the Northwest has to offer.

 2006 LAKE UNION BOATS AFLOAT SHOW
 
What:
Seaing is Believing! 2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show
Mega-yachts up to 130 feet, trailerable boats for every budget, even a 32-foot submarine and everything you need to know to help you get on the water. All on the water at South Lake Union's Chandler's Cove.
 
When:
Wednesday, Sept. 13 – Sunday, Sept. Sept. 17
 
Times:
Weekdays – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekends – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
Tickets:
$10 Adults, $5 (Children 12 and under)
$18 Three Day Pass

Listen to the following Seattle-area radio stations to win free tickets:
AM: KIRO 710, KOMO 1000, KVI 570, KTTH 770, KPTK 1090
FM: KING 98.1, 570, KJR 95.7, KWJZ 98.9
 
Getting There
Located at Chandler's Cove on South Lake Union, the Boats Afloat Show is just off the I-5 Mercer Street exit. Designated parking for $5 per day is located at 5th and Mercer about five blocks west of the show near the Seattle Center. A free shuttle runs between the Boat Show and the 5th and Mercer parking lot every 15 minutes during show hours.
 
Help Ease South Lake Union Traffic – Take the Lake Union Water Taxi
Seattle's Electric Boat Company will provide water taxi service on-call and from various locations around Lake Union throughout the show, beginning one hour prior to opening and concluding one hour following closing. Cost is $5 each-way. Call 206-223-7476 to arrange for pick-up.