Ocean Festival Visitors Enjoy Lifechanging Marine Life Interactions on Boat Excursions
Ocean Festival Visitors Enjoy Lifechanging Marine Life Interactions on Boat Excursions
This year’s Ocean Festival powered by Halfway Group, which ran in Scottburgh on the KZN South Coast from 5 to 8 June, included a new addition to the programme line-up: the Ocean Experience Boat Rides with ScubaXcursions. With the Sardine Run action prohibiting bathing, event organisers quickly pivoted to provide free boat rides to visitors – a first-ever experience for most, and a lifechanging experience for many.
“We were incredibly fortunate to have The Greatest Shoal on Earth coincide, not only with the Ocean Festival, but with World Ocean Day – the driving force behind the event,”
explained Barry Lewin, Event Organiser.
“While this did mean that many of our planned in-water activities couldn’t go ahead, we partnered with local operator, ScubaXcursions based at Premier Hotel Cutty Sark to offer free boat rides out to sea, and this turned out to be one of our best experiences yet! We welcomed people of all ages and abilities, some of whom had never been out on a boat in their lives, for an unforgettable morning at sea.”
The Ocean Experience Boat Rides with ScubaXcursions saw 6 boats taking 66 people out on the water, free of charge, to experience the ocean spectacle up close. Visitors were taken out to Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area (MPA), which is also a Mission Blue Hope Spot, home to a diverse variety of marine life.
“They got to enjoy the thrill of the ocean wilderness, spotting dolphins, watching breaching whales, witnessing flying fish, and even turtles,”
commented Lewin.
“This is what Ocean Festival is all about – spreading the passion and educating people through ocean activities.”
The excursions welcomed members of the public from all walks of life, among them disabled athletes from Made for More non-profit, which empowers and equips people with disabilities through sport. The boat rides were also enjoyed by members from the Granny Grommets of Scottburgh, a group of spirited senior citizens who meet weekly at Scottburgh Main Beach to bodyboard. Visitors ranged in age from as young as 4 to an 81-year-old woman who described it as ‘the best day of her life’!
Participants had nothing but praise for the organisers. One of these was Eileen Wulff, a member of the Scottburgh Granny Grommets, who commented:
“I had the privilege of being one of the first to respond to your generous offer of 11 spots for our group on the boat. It was absolutely wonderful, and every single one of us enjoyed every moment. We were not only blessed with this lovely surprise, but also with plenty of laughter, amazing weather, seeing dolphins, and a rather chilled turtle. What a privilege!”
Another enthusiastic passenger was Sue Martin, a resident in Scottburgh who, despite being left wheelchair-bound by a mountain biking accident almost a decade ago, relishes any opportunity for adventure. Sue is also a para surfer with Made for More, a KZN-based NPO which aims to include, empower and equip people with disabilities through sport.
Commenting on the day, Sue said:
"What a thrilling adventure! The dolphins and jellyfish sightings were an absolute bonus! Huge kudos to the brave passengers who took the plunge and went swimming - I'm happy to have been along for the ride and enjoyed every moment of it. As someone who's used to watching from the sidelines, it was wonderful to feel included and part of the experience. Can't wait for the next trip!"
There was lots more to be enjoyed at this year’s Ocean Festival, which included an action-packed ocean-focused programme. Some programme highlights included:
· The School Ocean Education Workshop in association with WildED
· The Ocean Research & Conservation Presentations by SAAMBR
· The Ocean Festival Film Screening of Riding the Sardine Run by Alan Van Gysen of NowNow Media
· The Scotties Striders 5km Ocean Run
· Beach Yoga with Lauren Lewin and Laura Konig
· The Aliwal Shoal Scuba Diving Reef Clean
· The Ocean Warriors Ocean Sports Clinic
· Live Music at Premier Hotel Cutty Sark
· Nia Dance & Movement with Liz Cunningham
The headline event, which concluded Ocean Festival on World Ocean Day, was the Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge, which saw South Africa’s top paddlers racing to Aliwal Shoal MPA and back. This year saw Umhlanga’s Michelle Burn and Matthew Bouman take the top women’s and men’s titles respectively, while Deirdre Bentley (Amanzimtoti) and Kwanele Banda (Umgababa) won the doubles event.
