World Ocean Day (8 June) takes centre stage at the conservation-focused Ocean Festival running Scottburgh on the KZN South Coast from 6 to 9 June 2024. Event organisers have just released the full Ocean Festival programme with events for all ages touching on themes of ‘Engagement, Education, and Economics’.
“What started as a single World Ocean Day celebration in Scottburgh last year has grown to become one of the biggest concurrent celebrations of World Ocean Day across seven countries this year, all focusing on improving ocean health,” said Russel Symcox, Ocean Festival Founder. “We feel it’s important for everyone to be given a meaningful way to engage with ocean conservation, which is why we’ve included a wide range of ocean-based events and activities appealing to different interests this year.”
2024 Ocean Festival Programme
The Ocean Festival aims to engage with communities, educate about the importance of conservation, inspire people to take action to protect the world’s oceans, and stimulate economic tourism for coastal communities through a full programme of events. Taking place in Iceland, England, Portugal, the UAE, Malaysia, and South Africa, this is a global movement that highlights the collective need for conservation. Here’s what’s happening in the founding coastal town!
Mural by Giffy
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach
Throughout the festival, renowned local artist Giffy Duminy, whose work is found across the globe, will be painting a mural at Scottburgh Beach’s Nipper Clubhouse. With sponsorship by Apex Environmental, Giffy will be creating an inspired ocean-themed mural throughout the weekend with visitors invited to catch him in action!
Ocean Education with SAAMBR
Date: 6 June 2024
Time: 1.30pm to 2.30pm
Venue: UCA, Park Rynie
Listen to marine biologists and ocean education facilitators share more about the need to conserve our oceans and actively play a role in reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics.
Ocean Science & Research Workshop
Date: 07 June 2024
Time: 10am to 11.30am
Venue: Community Centre, Widenham Retirement Village
Join passionate scientist, Natalie dos Santos as she shares her findings and research into the migratory habits of turtles and the benefits of citizen science in conserving them. Then Dr Ryan Daly will keep audiences captivated with his talk on ‘Discovering the secret lives of Zambezi Sharks’.
Ocean Festival Film Screening
Date: 7 June 2024
Time: 6.30pm to 8pm
Venue: Premier Hotel Cutty Sark, Scottburgh
Watch the exciting new film X Trillion about 14 ladies who sail around the world to discover the impacts of microplastics in the ocean. Also showing is the film Place of Thorns: The Story of Puerto Escondido which tells the story of one of the world’s most incredible waves in Mexico drawing surfers from across the globe. Admission is free and seats are limited, so get there early!
Sunrise Yoga at the Ocean Festival
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 7.30am to 8.30am
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach Lawn
Start World Ocean Day celebrations with some mindfulness and join Lauren for sunrise yoga at the beach.
Wellness Movement & Nia
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 9am to 10am
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach Lawn
Get the body moving with local Nia instructor and wellness expert, Liz Cunningham. Celebrate World Ocean Day with fun, laughter, and dance.
Ocean Festival Surf Pro
Date: 8 and 9 June 2024
Time: 7.30am to 4pm
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach
Enjoy one of the best right-hand point break waves on the KZN South Coast. Whether surfing or watching, Scottburgh Point always delivers in winter. Enter the Ocean Festival Surf Pro at https://forms.gle/rT6uJu4mDJPZ9KE18.
Ocean Carnival
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 8am to 12.30pm
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach
The inaugural Ocean Carnival event welcomes some of the brightest young lifesaving stars competing for glory while celebrating World Ocean Day. This is also a fundraiser for some of South Africa’s most exciting young talent who are competing in Australia at the World Lifesaving Games. Enter at https://forms.gle/y7A2QVh5d8Gc4AWB6.
Aliwal Shoal Reef Clean
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 7am to 11am
Venue: Aliwal Shoal, Scottburgh
Join the team from Scubaco Diving and other local diving operators for a World Ocean Day celebratory scuba or freedive on Aliwal Shoal. Situated within the Marine Protected Area on the KZN South Coast, Aliwal Shoal is rated as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world and deserves protection.
Live Music at the Ocean Festival
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 6pm to 9pm
Venue: Premier Hotel Cutty Sark, Scottburgh
Enjoy live performances from Tatum Holder and Gavin Welsh during a fun evening of cocktails and music.
Sunday Sunrise Yoga
Date: 9 June 2024
Time: 7.30am to 8.30am
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach Lawn
Enjoy the peaceful sounds of the ocean with an inspired sunrise yoga session on the seaside.
Wellness Movement & Nia
Date: 9 June 2024
Time: 9am to 10am
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach Lawn
Join Liz Cunningham for a session of movement and dance alongside the ocean.
Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge
Date: 9 June 2024
Time: 7.30am to 11.30am
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach
This is surfski paddling at its best! Witness multiple World Champions racing within the incredible Marine Protected Area of Aliwal Shoal, competing for the title of KZN Double Ski Champions at this year’s Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge.
Made For More Para Surf Session
Date: 9 June 2024
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach
Join the Made For More team and volunteers for the Para Surf session where these inspirational athletes celebrate their talent on World Ocean Day.
Please check @theoceanfestival on Instagram and Facebook, and www.oceanfestival.co.za website for the most updated Ocean Festival programme details. Contact Barry Lewin on Barry@sasurfski.africa for more on the Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.
Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of Ocean Festival.
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