Gravity Adventure Festival

Get ready for an action-packed weekend of blood-pumping outdoor activities

Now in its 13^th year of thrills, spills, cycles and sprints, the Gravity Adventure Festival offers up a smorgasbord of fun and action on Friday, 15 and Saturday, 16 August 2014 at the Kogelberg Biosphere just outside Kleinmond, about an hour’s drive from Cape Town.

The festival, a favourite of adventure enthusiasts from around the country, features a range of outdoor events, from trail running and kiddies races to whitewater kayaking and down-river racing – there’s even some kids’ events for keen and aspiring adventure racers. This year, competitors have a chance to participate in 7 adrenaline-fuelled activities.

In short, there’s something for everyone, as even the not so outdoors-y folks will have a gas: there will be plenty of good food, a film festival and a party with DJs at the Kleinmond Waterfront, and of course, there’s all the action during the day to view.

EVENTS AT THE 2014 GRAVITY ADVENTURE FESTIVAL

Entry to all the events (except the trail series) can be made via Entrytickets.co.za. Go to Adventurefestival.co.za for programme details, including prizes and event requirements.

PADDLEZONE KAYAK EVENTS: Longtime festival favourites, the whitewater kayaking events comprise a downriver race, which is a 4-km sprint starting just above the first rapid, and a kayak timed sprint, a two-run opportunity to clock the fastest time going down the notorious Judgement Day rapid. Both events are on Saturday, 16 August, with the dowriver race happening first at 12pm and the time trial going down at 1pm. Entry costs R130p/p and grants participants the right to compete in boththe timed sprint and the downriver race. Registration takes place from 8am on the Saturday at the Kleinmond Waterfront in Harbour Road.

BLACK DIAMOND NIGHT TRAIL RUN: This popular run takes racers in and around the Kogelberg Nature Reserve on routes that are a mix of riverside single track and jeep tracks. There are options to take part in the 5-km route, which costs R80p/p to enter, and the 9-km route, which costs R100p/p to enter. The race kicks off on Friday, 15 August at 7:15pm and starts and ends at the Kleinmond Waterfront in Harbour Road. Registration and number-collection is open from 5pm onwards at the Waterfront.

GRAVITY FILM FESTIVAL: Enter your short adventure film (maximum 5 minutes) from any adventure sport discipline and stand a chance to wine great prizes. Finalists will be selected by judge and documentary filmmaker Nic Good for screening on the Friday night at the Gravity Festival Hub at the Kleinmond Waterfront in Harbour Road – the winner will be announced on the night. Free wine from Arabella will also be on the cards. Entries must be submitted via Dropbox. For more details consult the event website at Adventurefestival.co.za.

SPUR TRAIL SERIES: This race is part of the popular Spur Cape Winter Trail Series and takes runners through a mixed route of single track and jeep track, both of which are lined by fynbos, breathtaking mountains and the Palmiet River. There are three different distance-based options – 23.3km, 13.8km and 5.6km; all races are scheduled to start on Saturday, 16 August. Entries can be made at Trailseries.co.za.

CROC RACE: This popular downriver race is for teams of two and kicks off at the Mountain Rose Farm. Teams will race in heats (10 teams per heat), and contestants will be provided will inflatable boats, paddles, PFDs and helments (bring your own wetsuits and wet shoes). It costs R360 per team of two, and the challenge starts at 10am on Saturday, 16 August. The winner of each heat will be awarded a prize. Note that only participants over 12 years may enter this race.

KIDS ADVENTURE ZONE: Young adventurers can take part in a 2-km trail run, a fun swim and a 2-km mountain bike race. The kids’ fun zone, located at the Gravity Adventure Festival Hub, will also have a jumping castle and more to keep little ones entertained, and parents are more than welcome to join. Entry costs R70p/p per event and all events are scheduled for Saturday, 16 August. For more info regarding the events visit Adventurefestival.co.za.

WCAD 30-KM ADVENTURE RACE: This 30-km race is made up of approximately 75% mountain biking, 23% trail running and 2% river tubing, and is open for solo entrants or teams of two (mixed gender groups are preferred but all-male or all-female teams are also welcome). Competitors will have to navigate a basic route using maps, and are expected to bring their own bicycle, helmet, trail shoes and backpack. Entry costs R350p/p for solo competitors and R600 per pair of contestants, and late entry on the day includes a R50p/p surcharge. The race starts at 1pm on the Saturday, with briefing taking place 30 minutes prior to starting time. Keep in mind, no adventure racing experience is necessary – the race is aimed at novices. 

TURBO ROCKY RIVER MILE SWIM: The first of its kind in South Africa, the Rocky River Mile Swim is a traditional mile-long swim that takes place in a river, not in the ocean. Swimmers dive and paddle through rapids, across the Palmiet Estuary and down to the finish line at the festival hub. An outer layer is recommended as the water is cold. The 1.6-km race takes place on Saturday, 16 August at 2pm, and entry costs R130p/p. Registrations takes place from 11am from the festival hub at the Kleinmond Waterfront in Harbour Road.

BREAKING GROUND PARTY: The turbo-charged, adrenaline-filled weekend draws to a close with an epic big bash on the Saturday evening. The party kicks off at 7:30pm at the Kleinmond Waterfront in Harbour Road and the good times run until late. Guests can expect a loaded cash bar and awesome DJs.

ACCOMMODATION FOR THE 2014 GRAVITY ADVENTURE FESTIVAL

For visitors to the fesitval, camping opportunities are available at the Palmiet Campsite. Campers are required to bring their own tents; although, there are braai facilities available. Space is limited, so pre-booking is essential. For booking enquiries contact gveden@overstrand.gov.za.

Alternatively, keep an eye out on the Gravity Adventure Festival Facebook page for accommodation specials or look on the Kleinmond Tourism website.

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Take a look at our overview of annual August events to find out about more hot happenings taking place during the month.
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