RIVIERA FESTIVAL OF BOATING FOCUS ON MARINE EDUCATION
The second annual Riviera Festival of Boating will offer an expanded educational program in 2013 with a raft of new events planned for the four-day experience, promoters said.
Held from May 23 to 26 at Riviera’s 14-hectare facility on the Coomera River, the Festival has 53 individual educational and social events planned as well as a new-boat show and premium brokerage display.
Festival organisers say they have been inundated with registrations since the information and registration website went live and are urging people to register early to avoid missing out, with all activities and events having limited places.
Riviera’s Stephen Milne said the Festival provided an opportunity for owners and aspiring owners of luxury powerboats to understand all aspects of boat ownership, operation and maintenance.
“Comprehensive seminars and hands-on workshops are hosted by leading boating professionals who have decades of experience in their respective fields,” said Milne.
“The feedback we have received from those who attended the Festival last year has been extremely encouraging, with many enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and educational events, in particular the factory tours and skipper programs.
“We have a host of exciting new activities and events planned for boaters, as well as the trusted favourites such as the skipper training programs, electronic navigation schools, generator operation, sanitation system infield troubleshooting workshops, and some special ‘ladies only’ events.
“For those new to boating or wishing to brush-up on their skills and practical knowledge we will offer seminars in offshore seamanship, exterior maintenance ‘tricks of the trade’, fishing clinics and a full sea-trial program.
“People can learn how to navigate, meet our designers and the talented craftspeople that build our beautiful world-class boats, take a full factory tour of the largest boatbuilding facility in Australia and enjoy a raft of fun events organised exclusively for our Riviera owners and their guests,” he said.
New events for 2013 include understanding the latest advances in onboard entertainment and communications; anchoring, line work and mooring; electrical power systems; understanding electrical accessories; and, in conjunction with Club Marine, understanding marine insurance.
“The Festival of Boating also provides a unique opportunity for Riviera owners to come together and share in select social events, factory tours, and inspections of our full line at the impressive red carpet undercover new-model boat show or at the premium select brokerage show,” said Milne.
The Festival’s on-water display features the latest Riviera models, including the 43 Open Flybridge, 53 Enclosed Flybridge, 63 Enclosed Flybridge, 5000 Sport Yacht, 5800 Sport Yacht, 445 SUV and 565 SUV. The award-winning Belize 52 Daybridge will also make its Queensland boat show debut at the Festival.
As the Festival takes place at the same time as the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Riviera will offer a free ferry service to and from SCIBS for registered participants.
Boaters are encouraged to register early as places for all workshops and events are limited. Riviera owners will receive prior registration notification for all events.
For more information or to register, visit www.rivieraaustralia.com/festival
RIVIERA FESTIVAL FAST FACTS
* Free entry
* Free onsite parking
* Easy access for those travelling by boat, with a visitor arm available and 24-hour berth booking
* Riviera and Belize owners will receive preferential berth bookings