The South African Ocean Festival
Beats, boats, treats and more nautical niceties abound at this celebration of the sea.
Jet off on the Jetovator, climb aboard the Clipper, face the decorated Dragons, make waves for Beatenberg and celebrate the sea at the V&A Waterfront this spring!
If the smell of the ocean and the feel of a fresh salty breeze ruffling your hair make your soul soar, then this celebration of all things aquatic should float your proverbial boat. The South African Ocean Festival is coming to our shores from Monday, 19 October to Sunday, 8 November 2015, at the V&A Waterfront. Celebrating the might and beauty of the ocean, the fest will focus on an array of exciting ocean sports, art, music and food.
A family-friendly affair, the event boasts an itinerary jam-packed with daily demonstrations, such as the Clipper Race Stopover, lighted boat parade, dragon boat club session and NSRI rescue demonstration. Aside from all the adrenaline-inducing displays, there’ll also be an array of activities for small sailors, along with a live performance from SA band Beatenberg and a smorgasbord of delectable food offerings.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2015 SOUTH AFRICAN OCEAN FESTIVAL IN CAPE TOWN
IT’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST OCEAN FESTS IN SA: Brought to our pretty city by the South African Marine Safety Authority (SAMSA), the V&A Waterfront and Worldsport, this event aims to boost the tourism potential of South Africa’s marine assets and to help create business and job opportunities, particularly in the small business sect.
CELEBRATE OUR SEAS: Cape Town is privileged to play host to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and we have a thriving boat and water sport culture. Spend the day the Capetonian way chilling by the water’s edge, enjoying a few cold beers and watching the yachts drift in and out of the harbour.
MAKE WAVES FOR BEATENBERG: One of our favourite lekker local acts Beatenberg will be bringing the beats to keep ocean enthusiasts’ toes tapping. The trio consists of songwriter Matthew Field (vocals/ guitar), Ross Dorkin (bass) and Robin Brink (drums). Fans of the boys’ 2014 album The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg will, no doubt, be excited to hear hits like ‘Cavendish Square’ and ‘Rafael’ performed live.
THE FAST & FURIOUS JETOVATOR: Introducing a brand new sport! We’re not entirely sure how this crazy creation works, but it looks mad and seriously fun. Essentially, The Jetovator involves water being thrust from the jet unit of the personal watercraft along a hose to the machine’s body. The force of this water then thrusts the Jetovator into the air making for a wild ride for the rider, who can steer the craft using the power from water propelled from two front nozzles. If you’re intrigued and fancy yourself capable of mastering this beast, then make sure you don’t miss the demos happening at Quay 6 on 30 October, 31 October and 1 November 2015.
CATCH THE CLIPPER: The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only one of its kind because it caters to amateur sailors, 40% of whom have never sailed before! The fledgling seafarers are aided by professional skippers, and their mission is to ambitiously cross the powerful Atlantic, starting in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and ending in Cape Town. A serious endurance test, the race spans a 4000 nautical mile course, which will be bravely traversed by a fleet of twelve 70-foot ocean racing yachts, sailed by amateur crews from 44 different nationalities (including South Africans). The V&A Waterfront will host the 10th edition of the Clipper Race, which set sail on Sunday, 30 August 2015 from London. This is the race’s seventh visit to our pretty city, and this year its timing happily coincides with the Ocean Festival, making it a not-to-be-missed highlight at the event. Once the Race Village opens, visitors will be able to see the spectacular yachts up-close and take a free boat tour to imagine life on board. The tours will run from Tuesday, 27 to Thursday, 29 October 2015, and there’ll also be a Q&A with some of the inspiring crew and skippers. Make sure you’re there to cheer on the teams as they set forth on Saturday, 31 October, with plenty of pomp and ceremony to wish them well.
SAVE OUR SEAS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: Head to this exhibition to witness a sensational collection of sea-focused shots snapped by ocean conservation experts and ocean sport curators – all with an environmentally conscious message.
PROGRAMME FOR THE 2015 SOUTH AFRICAN OCEAN FESTIVAL IN CAPE TOWN
EVENT |
DATE & TIME |
ENTRY FEE |
VENUE |
CLIPPER |
26 – 31 October |
No entry fee |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
JETOVATOR |
October 30 6pm – 7pm October 31 2pm – 2:45pm November 1 12pm – 1pm |
Free - Demo |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
SUNSET SUP/PRONE CHALLENGE (paddler team relay sprint event) |
October 30 4:30pm – 6:30pm |
R120p/p |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
LIGHTED BOAT PARADE |
October 30 |
Free - Demo |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
DRAGON BOAT |
October 31 10am – 11am |
Free - Demo |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
NSRI DISPLAY (live demonstration of an NSRI rescue) |
October 31 3pm – 3:30pm |
Free - Demo |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
CAPE MODEL BOATS (a series of radio controlled class speed boat races) |
November 1 8am – 10am |
Invite only |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
YOUTH/SCOUTS PROGRAM (school and scout group activities) |
November 1 10am – 1pm |
Invite only |
Waterfront Volvo Village |
OPEN WATER TEAM RELAY (open water relays on a set course with a set distance) |
November 1 10am – 12pm |
R100p/p |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
CANOE-POLO MINI DEMONSTRATION |
November 1 |
Free - Demo |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
SAVE OUR SEAS: SHARKS AND PEOPLE EXHIBITION |
6th to 8th November |
No entry fee |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
IRC YACHT RACING SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPS (top-class sailing showcase) |
6th to 8th November |
Invite only |
Waterfront Quay 6 |
ENTRY TO THE 2015 SOUTH AFRICAN OCEAN FESTIVAL IN CAPE TOWN
Entry to the event is free, but do note that certain events are individually priced to take part in. Please consult the programme to see the times and costs of the various activities. You can visit the Ocean Festival Facebook page for more information or phone +27(0)21 426 1730. If you want to participate in the sports activities please email antony@worldsport.co.za.
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South African Ocean Festival
Don't miss this family-fun event. An Ocean Fest to float your Boat. From 19th Oct - 8th Nov. | |
+27 21 426 1730 | |
V&A Waterfront | |
oceanfestival.co.za | |
antony@worldsport.co.za | |
South African Ocean Festival |