Boating at full speed? More and more people are choosing the exact opposite. Peace, quiet, and connection with the surroundings are becoming the new luxury on the water. In the run-up to MASTERS SUMMER EXPO, MASTERS speaks with exhibitor Jules Willems of Floot about slow recreation, electric boating, and a new way of relaxing.
Looking ahead to the coming period: what are the three most visible trends within the world of water recreation and boating?
There is an increasing need for comfort, relaxation, and slow recreation. Relaxing on the water and enjoying the surroundings together has become more important than athleticism and fast boating.
In addition, a shift is taking place from functional boating to high-end lifestyle experiences. People are increasingly comparing a boat to a luxury car, boutique hotel, or modern outdoor kitchen. Clean lines, a minimalist design, warm colors, and high-quality finishes are becoming more important than purely technical specifications.
The electrification of water sports is also playing an increasingly important role. In addition to the positive impact on nature and the environment, ease of use and comfort are contributing to the growing popularity of electric boat propulsion. You see more and more electrically powered sloops and tenders, especially on inland waterways and recreational routes. The silent electric motors offer a completely different boating experience, as ambient sounds are not drowned out by the droning of a petrol or diesel engine. For slow recreation, the electrification of water recreation is truly a game changer.
Does your customers' behavior change towards the summer?
People increasingly want to connect with the water and the environment. The vast majority of boat owners spend their time not only boating, but primarily recreating in a beautiful spot, close to nature. There they drop anchor and enjoy the silence, the water, and the surroundings.
This way of recreation calls for the opportunity to get physically close to the water and to truly feel and experience it. Floot responds to this with the infinity design, placing you in direct contact with the water and allowing you to lie on the water and gaze at the horizon.
What is absolutely no longer possible in the world of water recreation this summer, and what actually is?
Within water recreation, the demand is increasingly shifting from speed and spectacle to tranquility, comfort, and experiencing nature. As a result, irritation surrounding jet skis and water scooters is also growing, as they are often associated with noise pollution, high speeds, and unsafe situations near swimming and recreational areas.
Water recreation has been growing strongly in recent years. Precisely for this reason, there is a growing need for peace, space, and mutual respect on the water. A friendly greeting, giving a moment of space, or moving along with one another makes all the difference. This relaxed form of hospitality ensures more enjoyment, more connection, and ultimately a more beautiful experience for everyone.
Within water recreation, the need is increasingly shifting from speed and spectacle to tranquility, comfort, and experiencing nature.
MASTERS SUMMER EXPO takes place in Brabant. What does Brabant mean to you?
I spent my student years at the Fontys University of Applied Sciences, School of Sport in Tilburg. That was a wonderful time, during which we experienced the craziest adventures. The warm sense of togetherness and the friendliness still feel very familiar.
We regularly visit the beautiful cities of Brabant, where we enjoy the wonderful Burgundian conviviality.
What are you personally looking forward to the most this summer?
Summer is peak season for us. That is precisely why the small moments of rest are perhaps the most valuable. After a busy day, we look forward immensely to when silence slowly returns to the water and nature comes back to life. Swans landing on the water, the cuckoo in the distance, fish leaping through the mirror-smooth water, and the evening sun slowly setting on the horizon.
Those are the moments when everything comes together. One last dip in the water, pouring a nice drink at De Floot, and enjoying the setting sun. For us, those are the true moments of summer happiness.
What do you hope visitors to MASTERS SUMMER EXPO will come to discover or experience at your venue?
Floot responds to the growing need for slow recreation, a luxury lifestyle, and distinctive experiences on the water. In collaboration with Dutch designers and craftsmen, we have consciously opted for a high-quality and sustainable approach, in which quality and refinement take center stage.
While the market is increasingly opting for production techniques such as 3D printing, rotomolding, or polyester construction, Floot chooses a fully hand-welded aluminum hull, crafted by Dutch artisans. This artisanal approach results not only in exceptional quality and a long lifespan but also forms the basis for a refined finish using durable premium materials and a distinctive design.
With the Floot EF25 Serenity Lounge, we introduce an innovative concept where design, comfort, tranquility, and connection with the surroundings come together. We hope to surprise visitors with our vision of water recreation and want them to experience a special moment of relaxation on the Floot.
MASTERS SUMMER EXPO
MASTERS SUMMER EXPO is the summer sister of MASTERS EXPO. In June, The Duke Business Club in Nistelrode transforms into an exclusive summer paradise. Amidst the lush Brabant countryside, golf, gastronomy, and good times come together for four days. Inside the stylish clubhouse and outside on the sun-drenched terraces, grounds, and the beautiful golf course, a unique atmosphere of relaxation and inspiration emerges. An environment where entrepreneurship and Brabant conviviality effortlessly blend with sport, where wonderful encounters are formed at the table, in the suites, lounges, at the bar, on the green, and over a drink. Where you come not just to network, but to experience. By invitation only.