Get Along to the Outdoors Show
12.03.2006
It’s nearly time for the annual Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show at the NEC, Birmingham, which starts on Friday and runs through next weekend.Now in it’s 5th year the show is the biggest of it’s kind in the UK, taking up several halls at the NEC and combining canoeing, climbing, adventure sports and adventure travel shows. So, there’s plenty for an adventure a racer to see and do (and buy), though there are sadly no AR specific features this year. (The Rat Race and ACE Races will be spreading the AR gospel though.)
There is lots of entertainment on offer, including bike displays, climbing competitions and dozens of top name speakers, plus plenty of expert advice and it’s the best opportunity you’ll get to shop for bargains on outdoor and paddle gear.
If you want to listen to some inspirational tales the speakers include explorer and adventure racer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Polar trekker Fiona Thornewell, and climber Leo Houlding, who is always bluntly entertaining!
If you prefer to watch rather than listen there are bouldering and dyno competitions, which always get the crowds cheering, a canoe race pool for events in the X Stream Challenge, and a bike arena for displays by top stunt teams.
You can have a go at the activities yourself as well, on a range of climbing walls and on various simulators. You can even try out the latest canoes in the pool, or a new bike in the arena. The bike skills sessions are open to all and there are top coaches and mechanics on hand to offer advice on technique while you try out state-of-the-art bikes.
All the big outdoor and canoe retailers will be there, so if you plan to buy a new paddle, hydration pack or waterproof it’s the ideal place to get some advice, try the products and get a good deal on the price.
If you want to go it’s worth booking in advance (tickets cost £11 in advance or £14 on the door) and the show is open from 10am to 6pm on Friday, and 9am to 6pm over the weekend.
All the exhibitors, lecture timetables and show features are on the show website at www.outdoorsshow.co.uk and you can book tickets through the website.
