If you were asked where is boating's best address, where would you look for an answer? One person who could answer this complex question without hesitation is the world's fastest waterskier, Grant Torrens. Grant's answer will undoubtedly mention the Sovereign Islands on the Gold Coast, the locale where he proudly runs the largest international marine brokerage of its kind in Australia, right at the entrance to the Gold Coast's most exclusive and prestigious residential development. The Sovereign Islands were originally conceived by well-known boating identity and winner of the Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race, Bernard Lewis. They are the only privately-owned islands in the beautiful Gold Coast's Broadwater.

Grant has been involved in boating all his life. In the 1980s, he was a daredevil speed-skiing phenomenon. He sped away with the world waterskiing speed record of 156mph in the USA, a mark that still stands unbeaten today. Indeed, the Torrens family has a colourful boating history dating back to the 1950s, when Torrens' father, Grev, started the Torrens Water Ski Gardens on the beautiful Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney. This is where Grant became an important link in the family business. His wife, Sharon, was a member of the World Barefoot Water Ski Championship Team and a six-time Australian Ski Race Champion...an unbeatable duo, in skiing and business.

For Grant and Sharon, opting to display and sell vessels from such a prestigious location has proven quite an exercise. The team not only had to acquire the use of the original offices, but also had to install extensive marina facilities to accommodate vessels of up to 36m (120ft) in length. Plus the infrastructure required to support a marina of such capacity was required, while all the time ensuring the lifestyle of the residents of the Sovereign Islands was not compromised in any way.