The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival is back

11 days of celebrating surf, the sea + how to keep it healthy

The 19th annual Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival is back this year, live and in-person. It takes place over 11 days, which include five days of ocean and surf films at four venues: The Labia Theatre in town, The Galileo outdoor cinema at Kirstenbosch, a screening in Kommetjie, ending with a Vans night at The Shred skatepark in Paarden Eiland. The event takes place from 1 to 11 March.

This festival celebrates surfing and also educates us on how to look after the ocean. Image: The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival

LEARN ABOUT OUR OCEAN AND ITS CREATURES 

The theme of the festival is Ocean Rejuvenation and Conservation. There are events that not only celebrate surfing and the ocean, but also showcase innovative scientific projects and creative techniques, as well as conservation strategies so we can improve at looking after the ocean’s wild spaces and its creatures, according to festival director Shani Judes.

Explore all the ways you can play a part in the conservation of our oceans. Image: The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival

STEP OUT AND HELP CLEAN UP 

The festival kicks off at the Two Oceans Aquarium where Oceans Alive will host short films and a panel discussion around conservation strategy and tactics with four South African ocean organisations, along with input from a marine scientist, a former Sea Shepherd activist and a representative of the small-scale fishing community. The panel will discuss topics such as  how the public can get involved in conservation campaigns. 

Wavescape has also planned an underwater cleanup along the coast adjacent to Jager’s Walk in Fish Hoek on Wednesday, 2 March. The seafloor there is littered with fishing line, nets and plastic debris.

The seafloor along Jager’s Walk in Fish Hoek is littered with fishing lines, nets and plastic. Image: The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival

ARRIVE WITH ONE SURFBOARD, LEAVE WITH ANOTHER 

Slide Night, on the 3rd of March, is an evening of 10-minute talks by surfers, free-divers, photographers, activists, scientists and conservationists who share inspiring ideas and adventures in an informal gathering. On the 4th day it’s the African premiere of Girls Can’t Surf.

The movie follows the journey of a band of renegade surfers who took on the male-dominated professional surfing world to achieve equality and change the sport forever. There’s also the launch of a new event, the aptly-named Board Meeting, a surfboard swap and exhibition by sustainable ocean eco-brands and conservation organisations, with interactive activities for kids, at Jack Black’s Taproom on Saturday, 5 March.

Connect with other ocean and surf lovers in Cape Town. Image: The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival

FALL IN LOVE WITH THE OCEAN 

The Artboard Project returns with an exhibition at Jack Black's Taproom and a charity auction mc’ed by Nik Rabinowitz on Wednesday, 9 March. The theme for this year’s Wesgro Blue Ocean Master Class (Tuesday, 8 March) for aspirant environmental filmmakers is the art of filming underwater; it will focus on what expertise and equipment is required.

“In this difficult era in human history, we feel it is important to recognise and promote the symbiotic connectedness between humans and nature. We really want to remind people that you cannot protect something that you do not love,” said Festival Director Shani Judes. You can get more details on each event on the website. 

Many of the events are family friendly. Image: The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival

SEE THE FESTIVAL LINE UP FOR 2022:  

Tues 1 March: Oceans Alive at the Two Oceans Aquarium, R160pp

Wed 2 March: The Beach Co-op - Under Sea cleanup 

Thurs 3 March: Slide Night at the Centre for the Book, R120pp

Fri 4 March: African premiere of Girl’s Can't Surf at the Labia Theatre, R120pp

Sat 5 March: The Board Meeting at Jack Black’s Taproom

Sun 6 March: Save Our Seas Foundation Beach Reach at Dalebrook

Sun 6 March: Film screening of Girl’s Can’t Surf with The Galileo open air cinema at Kirstenbosch, R109pp

Mon 7 March: Screening of Our Oceans by WILDOCEANS at the Labia Theatre, R120pp

Tues 8 March: Blue Oceans Master Class presented by Wesgro at The One Stop Shop, R120pp  

Wed 9 March: Artboard Auction at Jack Black’s Taproom with Nik Rabinowitz 

Thurs 10 March: Kommetjie Film Screening of Girl’s Can’t Surf, R120

Fri 11 March: (closing of festival) - Film screening of Girl’s Can’t Surf at The Shred, R120

WHEN + WHERE TO GO 

Event date: Tuesday, 1 March to Friday, 11 March 2022

Find it: Locations vary with each event; go to www.wavescapefestival.com for info.

Book: www.wavescapefestival.com 

Contact Wavescape on: shani@wavescape.co.za, @wavescapesa

By Katleho Mohale

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FIND THE BEST SURF AND CHILL SPOTS

Explore all the best spots for surfing in Cape Town

Enjoy a movie outdoors at Galileo Open Air Cinema

Go for a swim, picnic and braai at Oudekraal Beach

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