Ballina Marineland marks two years with four-day boat show

BALLINA Marineland marked two years under owners Shane Arthur and Bec Watling with a four-day boat show and business after-hours event.

It was run over four days, showcasing its in-store boats, motors, jet skis and marine services to the community.

The shop benefits from direct canal access and a pontoon off Endeavour Close, allowing customers to experience demonstrations with boats on the water.

People were able to ask experts for tips on the water, while Ballina Marine Rescue was part of the event.

Hosting a business after-hours event also allowed them to connect with about 40 people associated with the Ballina Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re pretty proud of how far we’ve come,” Watling said.

“We’ve always had boats and been on the river but owning a shop and growing it like this is totally different.”

“When we first took over, there wasn’t much here in terms of chandlery or shop stock,” she said.

“It’s been about finding out what customers want and building a shop, so people don’t have to drive to the Gold Coast.”

The business has grown with major brands including Quintrex and Yamaha.

It has expanded into stocking WaveRunners, which is the brand name for Yamaha’s version of jet skis.

Jetpilot gear has also been introduced to meet local demand, providing quality equipment without customers needing to shop online or travel further afield.

The couple won a national award with Quintrex as best new dealer for 2024-25.

Watling said hosting local business events and mini boat shows helps raise awareness of the store’s offerings.

Among the highlights was the Quintrex 660 Trident, which is one of the newer, larger boats and comes with joystick control.

“It’s not just a big tinnie, it has nearly a queen-size bed in the front cabin,” she said.

“Some of the people we took out were surprised by the features and comfort of boating these days.”

“A lot of locals still don’t know we’re here or what we offer, but having two of the biggest boating brands in our region is exciting and helps.”