The Dania Marine Flea Market was a mere week away when coronavirus capsized the popular springtime event.

While it’s expected to be rescheduled, a new date had not yet been set as of April 27.

“It’s something we’re probably going to have to push to the end of the year but it’s not up to me to decide that,” said Ryan Davidson, director of the event that draws 15,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors to Hallandale’s Big Easy Casino.

“It’s up to the cities, the state,” he said. “We’re following all proper protocols. We’ll probably be one of the last lines to be reopened,” he said, referring to the gradual phase-in of activities expected in South Florida starting in late April and early May.

Though Covid-19 has altered most outdoor physical activity, it has also helped to reshape the way we “attend” functions.

From work to social life, people have been kept in the loop through online meetings, workshops, happy hours and other get-togethers such as marine webinars.

Davidson is helping to launch a virtual boat show starting April 30. Hosted by AIM Marine Group, the show will feature live videos, walk-through tours of boats and links to exhibitors, who can sign up daily to be part of the online content, Davidson said.

The Palm Beach International Boat Show, originally scheduled for March, has also segued into a virtual show taking place on its own web platform on May 14.

“All 436 exhibitors as well as vessels on display from the Palm Beach International Boat Show will have presence in our virtual show,” said Andrew Doole, president of Informa Markets U.S. Boat Shows, in a press statement. “Viewers will be able to directly engage with the exhibitors and ask questions through the virtual platform, while brokers and exhibitors will gain direct sales leads and engagement with consumers.”

Info can be found at www.pbboatshow.com.

For many, socializing online means a crash course in adapting to unfamiliar Internet platforms.

“We don't have a mechanism for providing technical support, so getting less computer savvy people on board takes some work and time,” said Dale Kern, commodore of the Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club.

“Probably the bigger problem is knowing who is having trouble, or who is not getting the email announcements. We want everyone to have a chance to participate and we are trying our best to understand who is unable to attend because of technology and who is not even aware these events are happening.”

To accomplish this, the group sent out announcements through regular mail.

[Virtual] “Happy hours have been well attended, Kern said. It “did get a bit chaotic as everyone was eager to chat, and we had a large number of people online. It was a good outlet for a club that is so used to having social events on a regular basis.”

Kern said Hillsboro’s online networking gives the public a chance to see what the group is about. Those interested in participating in upcoming webinars can email info@hisc.org.

Not every group has embraced online interaction in lieu of the real thing.

Billy Porter, 61, president of the Tropical Anglers Club in Miami, is able to fish from his 33 Contender because he goes out with his son, a commercial fisherman and captain who is exempt from county marine restrictions put in place in March.

Porter said he didn’t see the need to talk about fishing online when most group members can’t launch their boats to enjoy their favorite pastime. He hopes to reopen the club on June 1.

Even then, he’s not sure how many will feel comfortable attending in person.

“As far as I know there’s just one or two guys whose houses are on the water [with boats at private docks]. If they can’t go fishing, why tease them that I can and they can’t?”