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Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival

A strongly ocean focused lineup of summer activities take place for the 2023 Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival presented by Vans.

Organisers have confirmed the official South African premiere of Birth of the Endless Summer, screening at The Galileo Open Air Cinema in Kirstenbosch Gardens. Other surfing and ocean films, such as the premieres of the much-anticipated big wave documentaries Facing Monsters and skateboarding epic Humanity Stoked screenings are in the deep south of the peninsula, at the Bertha Movie House in Khayelitsha and at the Labia Theatre, including a collaboration with the alternative Sunburnt Surf Club.

The underwater cleanup with Beach Co-op off Jager’s Walk in Fish Hoek is followed by a chat while sitting in the ocean: “What better medium to immerse yourself in while talking about ocean respect and conservation” says Wavescape Director Shani Judes.

An unusual collection of 10 artistic surfboards are auctioned at the Wavescape Artboard Project for ocean charities at Jack Black’s Taproom. The final lineup of artists is perennial supporter Brett Murray, with Amy Ayanda, Fhatuwani Mukheli, Marie-Louise Koen, Amy- Lee Tak, Dbongz, Justin Southey, Liberty Battson, Lee-Ann Heath, and Marti Lund.

Eight speakers have signed up to entertain and inform the audience with snappy 10 minute talks at the prestigious Centre for the Book in Cape Town at Slide Night, the flagship ocean evening, brought to you by Save our Seas Foundation.

Parasurfing athlete Michele Macfarlane speaks about why differently abled surfers are not “inspiration porn”. Save Our Seas Foundation educator Justine Swartz speaks about their kelp puppet project in False Bay. Sea Search founder Simon Elwen looks at why seals attack Capetonians. Nandipha Masango from Green Connection gives us tips to stop the fossil fuel juggernaut.

PangeaSeed founder Tre Packard speaks about “Artivism'' and the Sea Walls project, which is hosted in November. Kneeboard world champion Gigs Cilliers tells the hairy tale of near-death surfing a 100 foot wave off the Wild Coast. Marine Scientist Dr Koebraa Peters uncovers an alien invasion in South African waters and environmental lawyer Cormac Cullinan speaks about how the law can save the ocean.

Wavescape works with Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans, the global PangeaSeed Foundation programme, to bring the message of ocean conservation into Cape Town streets via murals and events that raise public awareness of critical environmental issues.

The theme of the Blue Ocean Masterclass is aerial footage, with practical advice and networking about how and where to shoot aerial footage, touching on the rules, techniques and gear one needs. Well known marine photographer Jean Tresfon speaks about his Autogyro MTO Sport Gyrocopter, while other experts chat about City of Cape Town regulations, the art and ever improving technology of drones, and more.

This year, the Board Meeting Day event again takes place at Jack Black’s Taproom, where surfers can swap or buy each other’s surfboards. There are other fun activities for adults and kids, from demonstrations by sustainable surf products and eco-conscious brands to children’s activities, set to the musical vibes of DJ Roastin’ Records.

In collaboration with social media influencer and podcaster Steve Shooter, Wavescape parks a branded Podcast Bus at events with a mobile podcast studio.
Episodes of the series Shredding the Gnar are hosted by Shooter.

The Save Our Seas Foundation, a long-term supporter of Wavescape, is joining to celebrate their 20 year anniversary with ocean activations.


Date: 2-24 March

Time: 9am-10pm

Price: Free-R625


Wheelchair accessibility: Unknown


Website: https://www.wavescapefestival.com/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wavescapesa/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WavescapeFestival/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wavescapesa

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