Event Update

Dubai International Boat Show has announced the rescheduling of its April edition to 25–29 November 2026 at Dubai Harbour. The revised dates align with the start of the Middle East’s prime boating season, creating stronger market conditions for launches, sales and international participation. The November edition will also mark the permanent repositioning of the Dubai International Boat Show to the November calendar annually, reinforcing Dubai and the UAE’s role as a strategic regional hub for the marine leisure industry.

Dressed for Success: The Radical Natural Sportswear Making Waves in Pro Sailing

What happens when an eco-minded engineer, a world-class sailing league, and a wool-based jacket come together at sea? You get Mover—a sportswear startup with one rule: no plastic, ever.

Led by Nicolas Rochat, CEO and keynote speaker at Ocean Talks, Mover is setting a bold course through the world of technical clothing. Their mission: to make high-performance, sea-tested apparel from 100% natural fibers—no synthetics, no shortcuts.

And yes, it works in salt water.

Forget What You Think You Know About Wool

Wool might seem like an odd choice for racing gear. But this isn’t your grandfather’s sweater. It’s a hydrophobic, moisture-wicking, odour-resistant powerhouse—engineered to breathe, stretch, and repel water with zero chemical coatings.

“We don’t need synthetics,” Nicolas explains. “Natural fibres like wool and cotton can do more than people realize—especially when you engineer the weave for performance.”

Think windproof fleece made entirely from wool. Jackets using WWII-era high-density Ventile cotton—once worn by RAF pilots, now reimagined for sailing. And now: a brand-new compact wool weave so tight, it keeps water out like a bottle… and breathes like skin.

Models showcasing Rooster's yellow HocTec performance jackets.

From the Alps to the Open Sea

Mover was born in the mountains, designing outerwear for skiers navigating cold, wet, and muddy conditions. But it wasn’t long before Nicolas saw a link between two extreme environments—snow and sea.

“In skiing, you fight sweat, cold, and weather all day. Sailing? Same,” he says. “So, we took everything we knew from the slopes and brought it onboard.”

Now, Mover is testing and tailoring kits for sailors tackling everything from warm regattas to multi-week ocean crossings—where comfort, durability, and hygiene aren’t just perks. They’re survival tools.

A New Kind of Uniform for a New Kind of Race

Enter SailGP, the high-octane, sustainability-driven sailing championship powered by nature. When Nicolas met their team through A Plastic Planet, things clicked fast. They needed gear. Muver had solutions.

“We found out their athletes were sweating through neoprene,” Nicolas recalls. “Uncomfortable. Hot. Designed for falling in—not racing hard.”

So Mover is working to change that—developing new onshore and offshore kits with comfort, protection, and freedom of movement in mind. No neoprene. No plastic. Just performance that makes sense.

What’s Next: The Sailors’ Collection

While details are still under wraps, Mover is already deep into collaboration with one of sailing’s biggest names. The project: a full natural-fibre kit for professional sailors. Think head-to-toe innovation, from base layers to outer shells—built for 10, 20, even 40 days at sea.

“These athletes need more than protection,” Nicolas says. “They need breathability, softness, and gear that doesn’t hold odour. Natural fibres give them all that.”

And it’s not just for pros. The lessons from these elite collections will shape the next generation of plastic-free gear for outdoor lovers everywhere.

Red Dot. Green Mission.

Mover recently took home a Red Dot Award for their wool-cotton hybrid jacket—voted Best Outdoor Jacket 2025. It’s a big win for a small team with a big mission: to change how we think about high-performance clothing.

Not just what it can do. But what it’s made of.

Where Performance Meets Purpose

What happens when cutting-edge sustainability meets elite-level performance? At the Dubai International Boat Show, stories like Mover’s radical approach to natural sportswear come to life.

From eco-engineering to design breakthroughs, DIBS is the platform that connects mission-led innovators with the audiences that matter—media, buyers, athletes, and decision-makers across land and sea.

If your brand is ready to redefine the rules—just like Muver is doing for technical apparel— DIBS gives you the space, and storytelling power to scale it.

Join the movement at DIBS 2026 — and turn bold ideas into global impact.






Boats, Buckets & Brakenhoffs: How Bruce Brakenhoff Built a Career on Relationships, Racing, and Big Sails

For more than 40 years, Bruce Brakenhoff has been a cornerstone of the sailing superyacht world. From building boats at Perini Navi to brokering some of the most iconic yachts afloat, Brakenhoff’s story isn’t just about sales—it’s about sailing, friendships, and an unshakable commitment to doing things the right way.

In a conversation recorded aboard the legendary Rosehearty at the St. Barths Bucket, Bruce shared memories from his decades in the industry—reflecting on his journey from a reluctant sailor to one of the most respected names in yachting.

A Lifetime at the Bucket

Bruce isn’t just a regular at the St. Barths Bucket—he’s practically part of its DNA. “I think I’ve done around 40 Buckets,” he says, counting events across Nantucket, Newport, and St. Barths. His first was in the early 1990s, when the regatta was still a small, intimate gathering of passionate owners and old-school sailors.

“The early events were wild and fun. Back then, the boats would raft up instead of going to docks,” he recalls. “It was more like a floating party with racing in between.”

As the regatta grew to 40+ yachts at its peak, the spirit remained the same: a celebration of sailing, camaraderie, and world-class craftsmanship. “It’s never just been about winning,” Bruce says. “It’s about the owners, the crew, the community.”

From Perini Navi to Edmiston

Bruce spent over 25 years at Perini Navi, helping define what luxury sailing yachts could be. He wasn’t just selling boats—he was building relationships. “Perini was a family,” he explains. “We knew the owners, the crews, the designers. Many of us worked there for decades.”

That human connection is something Bruce carried with him when he transitioned into brokerage at Edmiston. His focus? Keep it personal. “People don’t just buy a boat—they buy from a person. And I want to be the kind of broker people trust.”

He’s guided by an old-school principle: never cut corners and never step on another broker’s toes. “There’s a right way to do this,” he says. “Respect relationships. Build trust. Do the next right thing.”

Bruce Brakenhoff Jr. sits for a portrait with a model yacht in the background.

Sailing Boats, Big Dreams

Bruce has worked on some of the most famous sailing yachts in the world—Maltese Falcon, Legacy, Perseus, and of course, Rosehearty. He’s seen the market shift, but remains a firm believer in the magic of sail.

“Sailing yachts aren’t just luxury—they’re lifestyle,” he says. “You don’t buy a sailboat for efficiency. You buy it because it speaks to something deeper.”

He acknowledges that the market for sailing superyachts is smaller today, but he sees glimmers of hope. “Younger owners are discovering sail. Some are former tech founders who want adventure, sport, and a challenge. They’re drawn to the feeling of sailing—not just owning a big machine.”

Why the Bucket Still Matters

Bruce is one of the unofficial guardians of the Bucket’s original spirit: inclusive, celebratory, and low-pressure. While some owners arrive with full race crews and high-tech setups, others just come to sail and enjoy the ride.

“It’s about performance, but not just speed,” he says. “Performance means how well a yacht supports the owner’s lifestyle—where it’s been, what it’s done, the memories made.”

He worries about the event growing too big for St. Barths to handle but ultimately believes the right balance can be found. “Whether it’s 25 or 35 boats, what matters most is keeping that soul intact.”

Looking Ahead

Now at Edmiston, Bruce is in his element. With multiple successful years behind him and exciting projects ahead—including the relaunch of the iconic Andromeda la Dea—he’s as energized as ever.

And when asked what the secret is to his longevity and success, he keeps it simple: “It’s all about relationships. The boats are amazing, but the people make it worth it.”

Where Legacy Meets Opportunity

From storied careers like Bruce Brakenhoff’s to the next wave of sailing visionaries, the superyacht world thrives on trust, tradition, and meaningful connections. At the Dubai International Boat Show, we help preserve that spirit—while opening new doors.

Whether you’re honouring heritage or shaping what’s next, DIBS creates the space where relationships turn into results. From intimate networking to high-impact showcases, it’s where stories like Bruce’s find the right audience—and where today’s conversations become tomorrow’s deals.

Be part of the legacy at DIBS 2026 — where sailing meets substance, and reputation opens every door.

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