The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival in Cape Town is celebrating its 20th year, championing conservation, community development, and surfing culture. With outdoor screenings, beach clean-ups, and discussions, the festival has raised almost R7 million for ocean charities and showcases unique surfboards created by talented artists. Spearheaded by Director Shani Judes, the festival is a beacon of celebration and advocacy, resonating strongly with ocean-conscious communities and brands. As it evolves and innovates, the Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival remains an indispensable event for surfers and marine enthusiasts alike.
Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival: Two Decades of Celebrating Oceans and Surfing
The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival is a 20-year-old celebration of surfing, marine conservation, and community development in Cape Town. The festival includes outdoor and Deep South screenings, beach clean-up activities, a queer surf session, insightful discussions, and the Wavescape Artboard Project. The festival has raised almost R7 million for ocean charities and serves as a beacon of celebration and advocacy for ocean-conscious communities and brands.
A Unique Commemoration
The lively city of Cape Town joyously welcomes the Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival, a celebration that has maintained its rhythm for an impressive 20 years. This year, the festival boldly creates ripples, setting a high bar by not only marking its 20-year milestone but also by glorifying the beauty of the ocean, the exhilaration of surfing, and the urgent necessity for conservation of our marine environment.
Originally launched in 2004 as the Wavescapes Film Festival, the festival has since blossomed, evolving and innovating to match the growing expectations of its mature audience. It has metamorphosed into the Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival, a multifaceted celebration that integrates community development, marine conservation, and surfing culture into its bold programming.
Event Highlights
This year’s festival promises a diverse array of activities. By featuring films not only in conventional settings but also amidst the beauty of the natural world, outdoor and Deep South screenings will provide audiences with a fresh perspective on the cinematic experience. The festival encourages active participation with beach clean-up activities, promotes inclusivity with a queer surf session, and stimulates critical thinking with insightful discussions at the Wesgro Ocean Film Symposium.
At the heart of the festival lies the Wavescape Artboard Project. This project unveils the artistic side of surfing culture by inviting a mix of distinguished artists to craft unique surfboards. These singular surfboards, which encapsulate the festival’s philosophy and the artists’ personal homage to the captivating appeal of the ocean, are auctioned off to benefit marine charities.
Artists including Brett Murray, Anton Butler, Stefan Smit, and Toya and Jero Revett have contributed their artistic talents to the project. Their creations, which reflect not only their artistic abilities but also their profound respect for the ocean, symbolize the festival’s mission.
Progressive Initiatives and Leadership
Spearheading the festival is Director Shani Judes, who radiates pride over the extraordinary success of the Artboard Project. This distinctive initiative has impressively raised almost R7 million over the years for ocean charities, underscoring the festival’s dedication to marine conservation.
The festival persists in its steadfast support for budding filmmakers and the enhancement of adventure tourism, hosting the Wesgro Ocean Film Symposium. The festival aspires to foster a dynamic environment for creative individuals to connect, educate, and inspire each other.
Social media personality Steve Shooter will offer firsthand experiences of the festival through his series ‘Shredding the Gnar’. His coverage will undoubtedly provide an in-depth perspective into the diverse offerings of the festival.
Steve Pike, co-founder of the festival, known fondly as Spike, delights in the evolution of this Cape Town institution. He applauds the festival’s unique positioning at the crossroads of surfing authenticity, beach lifestyle, and the critical dialogue of marine conservation. According to him, the festival serves as a potent platform, resonating strongly with ocean-conscious communities and brands.
Wavescape as a Beacon of Advocacy
Indeed, the Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival stands as a pillar of celebration and advocacy. It not only applauds the thrilling domain of surfing and the hypnotic beauty of the ocean, but also underscores the urgent need for marine conservation. This fusion of celebration and education, of thrill and responsibility, renders the festival an indispensable event. As it commemorates its 20th year, the festival allows us to reminisce on its colorful history and anticipate its bright future.
What is the Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival?
The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival is a 20-year-old celebration of surfing, marine conservation, and community development in Cape Town. It features outdoor and Deep South screenings, beach clean-up activities, a queer surf session, insightful discussions, and the Wavescape Artboard Project.
What is the Wavescape Artboard Project?
The Wavescape Artboard Project is a festival initiative that invites distinguished artists to craft unique surfboards. These surfboards are auctioned off to benefit marine charities. Artists including Brett Murray, Anton Butler, Stefan Smit, and Toya and Jero Revett have contributed their artistic talents to the project.
What is the purpose of the festival?
The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival champions conservation, community development, and surfing culture. The festival has raised almost R7 million for ocean charities and serves as a beacon of celebration and advocacy for ocean-conscious communities and brands.
Who spearheads the festival?
Director Shani Judes spearheads the festival. She radiates pride over the extraordinary success of the Artboard Project, which has impressively raised almost R7 million over the years for ocean charities, underscoring the festival’s dedication to marine conservation.
What are some event highlights of the festival?
This year’s festival promises a diverse array of activities, including outdoor and Deep South screenings, beach clean-up activities, a queer surf session, insightful discussions at the Wesgro Ocean Film Symposium, and the Wavescape Artboard Project.
What is the significance of the festival?
The Wavescape Surf and Ocean Festival stands as a pillar of celebration and advocacy. It not only applauds the thrilling domain of surfing and the hypnotic beauty of the ocean, but also underscores the urgent need for marine conservation. This fusion of celebration and education, of thrill and responsibility, renders the festival an indispensable event.
