Thousands of yachting enthusiasts have gathered at Riviera and the Gold Coast City Marina in Coomera for day one of the inaugural not-for-profit community Gold Coast Marine Expo, which was officially opened by avid boater and Australian V8 Supercar driver Russell Ingall and his family. The event has exceeded all expectations and organisers are preparing for a very busy weekend.

Crowd levels for day one at the Gold Coast Marine Expo

Gold Coast Marine Expo spokesman Stephen Milne said organisers were just ecstatic with the response from the public and the yachting community. Attendance for day one was 3,435 people.

“We knew the Expo would be a popular event for boating families but we didn’t anticipate such a record crowd on day one,” he said.

Stephen Milne and Dean Leigh-Smith at the official opening of the Expo this morning

“With lower interest rates and such beautiful weather there truly has never been a better time to buy a yacht.”

The brainchild of Queensland’s yachting industry leaders, the Gold Coast Marine Expo features hundreds of exhibits from the world’s best yachting brands to explore sprawled over 36 hectares.

Russell Ingall and family hoist the giant X flag to mark the opening of the Gold Coast Marine Expo

“The added bonus of free admission, free parking and public transport access from Coomera railway station by a shuttle bus directly to the Expo are all great incentives for families to come along and experience a whole new dimension in boat shows,” Mr Milne said.

Giant Expo flag flies above hundreds of yachts and displays at Coomera

The Gold Coast Marine Expo is a real community not-for-profit event with representatives from the Wasp Creek Rural Fire Service, the Rotary Club of Coomera River and the Rotary Club of Coomera Valley all volunteering during the three day event to raise funds for these community organisations.