Earthwave Beach Festival in Muizenberg

It's all happening in Muizenberg this weekend with the Earthwave Beach Festival and Guinness World Record Attempt to get more than 110 surfers to ride the same wave for more than five seconds. If you can surf (or think you can) - get down to Muizenberg for the festival. More details below.

EARTHWAVE BEACH FESTIVAL
Guinness World Record attempt + Longboard and SUP contests
Surfing and sustainable lifestyle event
Saturday & Sunday, 25 & 26 September 2010

Momentum builds for Guinness World Record attempt at Earthwave Beach Festival

Momentum is building for the Guinness World Record attempt for the ‘most surfers riding the same wave’ that will be staged at the Earthwave Beach Festival in Muizenberg on the weekend 25 & 26 September.

The festival offers a full program of events over the two days including a nationally rated Longboard surfing contest, Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) races in the waves, plenty of beach activities for all ages, talks and demonstrations on environmentally sustainable topics and products, with the highlight being the attempt to get more than 110 surfers to ride the same wave for more than five seconds.

Supported by Loaded Smoothies, who will be dispensing their range of nutritious health drinks to participants and spectators, Earthwave also provides a forum for organisations such as Spin 4 Charity, the Sunflower Fund and the Shark Spotters program to raise awareness and funds for their worthy causes.

Tens of thousands of Rands of branded products will be given away, raffled, auctioned and won in activities like the popular Dig for Gold, beach cleanups. Prizes include Kustom footwear as worn by Joel Parkinson and other world and world-class surfers, environmentally friendly furniture items designed by TV personality Aidan Bennetts, Derevko Wetsuits, Hemporium products, New Balance shoes, apparel and accessories by O’Neill and Caves Surfwear and many more.

The Corona Earthwave After-Party will showcase the newly revamped Brass Bell in Kalk Bay where surf band the Little Kings, promo-girls, surf movies from the Wavescape Film Festival and more prizes and auctions, including five cases of Mexico’s favourite beer, will ensure a riot of fun and mayhem from 5pm until late on the Sunday evening!

The SUP races, organised and run by Coreban International, will use an ‘M’ shaped course that sees competitors paddling in and out through the waves twice in each heat, a first for Muizenberg. With valuable prizes at stake, the entire event will be completed on the Saturday.

The longboard surfing event, run by the WP Longboard Club, is stop No. 3 of 5 on the inaugural SA Longboard Tour and features a number of the country’s top performers. Starting on Saturday morning, the finals will be held on Sunday morning with the awards presentation staged just before an expected 500 or more participants line up to break the Guinness World Record at 12.30pm.

The SUP and longboard competitors and participants in the Guinness World Record attempt, who can include anyone who can stand up and ride a wave for five seconds or more, will be fueled by Monster Energy who will also be providing stickers, tattoos and other promotional items for all attending the festival.

Registration for the GWR starts at 10am on the Sunday and those wishing to be part of record breaking attempt are advised to check in early to prevent parking hassles and avoid the rush before the lineup. Entry costs R50 and all participants need to sign an indemnity form (signed by a parent/guardian for those under 18) and provide an email address to which an official certificate of participation will be sent.

The Earthwave Beach Festival at Muizenberg provides unlimited sponsorship opportunities for companies and organisations keen on promoting their environmental credentials or simply wanting to showcase their products and services to a receptive audience and through the saturation media coverage.

For further information see www.kahunasurf.co.za/kp/earthwave and the Facebook group Earthwave Beach Festival 2010.

The fourth annual edition of the event is produced by Kahuna Promotions and proudly supported by Wavescape, the official online and surf forecasting partner for Earthwave.

Contact kahunasurf@mweb.co.za for details on how to become part of this sustainable lifestyles initiative.

ALL IMAGES: Photographer Lee Slabber
1. Over 100 surfers riding the same wave at Muizenberg to set a new Guinness World Record in 2009
2. Some of the 440 surfers who lined up on the beach before heading out to break the record at Earthwave in 2009.
3. Crowds lined the beach at the 2009 Earthwave Beach Festival

If you would like to stay in the peninsula for the festival and a great weekend there is still accommodation available at Sundollar Lodge in Noordhoek; Moonglow Guest House in Glencairn,Simon's Town; Sonnekus Guest House in St James; Sacred Mountain Lodge in Noordhoek; The Winston Guest House in Simon's Town; Colona Castle in Lakeside; De Noordhoek Hotel in Noordhoek and Moonbay Guest House in Fish Hoek.

Reservations via Cape Point Route - call 021 782 9356 or email info@capepointroute.co.za

Chapman's Peak Drive Road Closure

Planned Maintenance for TWO WEEKS from 04/10/10 - 15/10/10

Chapman's Peak Drive will be intermittently closed from Monday, 04 Oct 2010 to Friday, 15 Oct 2010 during the hours of 09h00 to 19h00. Access to the drive will be managed by traffic controllers. On Monday, 11 Oct 2010 full road Closure will be implemented between the Look Out Point and the Noordhoek side from 19h00 - 06h00.

The closure is necessary to conduct routine maintenance on the Catch Fences in order to ensure the safety of road users. Day time passes and access to picnickers will be unaffected as far as the control point from the Hout Bay side only.

Motorists are advised to proceed with caution:

Entilini Operations, thank you, for your patience while we ensure that Chapman's Peak Drive offers a safe driving experience.

021-790 9163 Hout Bay Office
021-791 8220 Plaza

IMAGES:
1. Courtesy of Jacques Marais
2. Courtesy of Chapmans Peak Drive
3. Courtesy of Chapmans Peak Drive
4. Courtesy of Jacques Marais
5. Courtesy of Jacques Marais

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Heritage Day Events on the Cape Point Route

Friday 24 September is Heritage Day in South Africa. This public holiday is relatively new in South Africa but the day is set to encourage South Africans to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions.

Whilst this may be hard to define – there are many aspects of South African culture that make all members of our rainbow nation unique – be it language (we have eleven official languages), be it social, historical or even food – we are South Africans despite our differences! Here are some of the events happening on the Cape Point Route this Friday 24 Sept 2010.


1. Friday 24 Sept 2010: eMzantsi Carnvial Launch

Don’t forget the eMzantsi Carnival 2010 Launch and AGM is this Friday 24th September at Fish Hoek High School. Entrance is free, tea and coffee provided.
Bring your family and come celebrate the Heritage Day public holiday with us.

10.30am Puppet show of the eMzantsi 2010 story STEP UP, TAKE HEART, GIVE LOVE!
11am-12 Press launch celebrating eMzantsi community-building milestones over the past year.
12-3pm eMzantsi 4WAY LIVE concert showcasing local musical talent including collaborations written by the eMzantsi intercultural music groups from Fish Hoek, Ocean View and Masiphumelele.
For more information see the new website www.emzantsi.org.za or call the eMzantsi office 021 785 1515.

2. Friday 24 Sept 2010: TEARS Pet Day and Doggie Dawdle

At Noordhoek Cricket Grounds and including the Doggie Dawdle Walk-A-Thon; Face Painting and Black Nose Competition and the TEARS/Hill’s Pet Competition which includes the Cutest Crossbreeds (adult and puppy); Best pedigree; Look-A-Like Dog (pet & owner); fancy dress; smallest dog and largest dog. Lots of fun for the family and the family pets.

For more information contact TEARS on 021 785 4482 or visit website.

3. Friday 24 Sept 2010: Fish Hoek Historical Hunt

Run by a Whale of A Heritage Route. Clues for the historical hunt will take the form of photographic images and will run from 08h30 – 13h00. Contact a Whale of A Heritage Route on www.awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za for more details.

4. Friday 24 Sept 2010: Muizenberg Historical Conservation Society talk on Thomas Bain

You are cordially invited to a meeting of the Muizenberg Historical Conservation Society at The Stables (behind Het Posthuys) at 17h30 on Wednesday 22 September. The meeting marks Heritage Day, and the guest speaker will be Dave Cowley, who will do a presentation on Thomas Bain, famous Scottish pioneer and genius road engineer of Queen Victoria.

He constructed some twenty-three mountain passes in South Africa between 1880 and 1890, including the scenic Prince Alfred mountain pass near Plett. He also took an interest in plants and had a keen eye for rock-art. The talk will give an overview of the construction and difficulties of some of his mountain passes. Drinks and snacks will be served from 17h30, and the presentation will commence at 18h15. Entrance is R20.

Please RSVP to George Hill on 021 788 5542, or at music@lindbergh-arts.co.za

IMAGES:
1. eMzantzi Carnival- courtesy of eMzantzi Carnival
2. TEARS Pet Day and Doggie Dawdle - courtesy of TEARS
3. Fish Hoek - Historical Hunt - - Image from Google Images
4. Het Posthuys - found on Google Images

Contact Cape Point Route for Heritage Day weekend accommodation . Availability at Moonglow Guesthouse in Glencairn; The Winston guest house in Simon's Town; Sundollar Lodge in Noordhoek; Colona Castle in Lakeside; Sacred Mountain Lodge in Noordhoek ; the Beach House in Hout Bay; Sonnekus Guest House in St James and Tarragona Lodge in Hout Bay

Whales by Rail

Parents, holidays are looming and you must be wondering what you can do to keep your kids busy. Think no further because we have a wonderful solution for you. Join us on the “Whale of a tale journey” by train.
Take a trip from Cape Town Station to one of the following destinations: Muizenberg, Kalk Bay or Fish Hoek. Sit and relax while we entertain your kids with story telling about whales and play games.

At any of these destinations, you can enjoy fun filled programmes covering many topics, where learning is a discovery. Watch while the Southern Right Whale enchants us in False Bay.

To book your ticket, contact us on: (Seating is limited!)

• Tel: 021-4492366
• E-mail: railtourism@metrorail.co.za
• Fax: 021-4492055

• Price: R45 Adults; R25 Kids (under 12 years of age)

The price includes: A return train ticket in a secure coach with security and a rail tourism ambassador.

Programme Information:

Monday 27th September: Muizenberg

Tuesday 28th September: Kalk Bay

Wednesday 29th September: Fish Hoek

Thursday 30th September: Fish Hoek

Time: Departure from Cape Town Station at 09h32 and returns at 14h28.

WHALE WATCHING BOAT TRIPS:
For a seriously incredible experience book a boat based whale watching trip which operates from Simon’s Town. It is spine tingling, jaw dropping stuff to be within metres of these massive creatures of the sea where you can see the barnacles clinging to their skin and hear the whale song. Boat based whale watching requires a special permit to ensure that the whales are viewed without being harmed so be sure to use a licenced operator.

Whale Watching Trip details:
Daily departures (weather dependent): 09h00; 12h00; 14h30
Cost: R800 adults; R500 children
Duration: 3 hours
Departs: Simon’s Town
Bookings: 021 782 9356
Email: info@capepointroute.co.za

IMAGES: All images found on Google images
1. Southern Right Whale Tail in False Bay - photographer Dave Hurwitz (Portfolio Collection travelblog)
2. Southern Right Whale - Baleen in False Bay - photographer Dave Hurwitz (Portfolio collection travelblog)
3. Southern Right Whale Breaching in False Bay, Cape Town - on capetown.travel
4. Southern Right Whale - found on oceanwideimages.com
5. Southern Right Whale breaching in front of Roman Rock Lighthouse in Simon's Town - photographer Chad Chapman (Portfolio collection travelblog)

Simon's Town Penguin Festival 2-3 October 2010

Simon's Town Penguin Festival - Save the Date 2 - 3 October 2010

Every year during the Simon's Town Penguin Festival there is a Benefit Auction and Dinner - this is an invitation only event on the 2 October 2010 but SANCCOB needs your help for auction items.

Cape Point Route received a letter from SANCCOB CEO Venessa Strauss with an appeal...

Calling everyone GREAT and small, BIG or thin, FAT and tall, short and square.

You see - this year we really are asking YOU to help Boulders Beach Lodge raise R100 000 to help SANCCOB to save our precious penguins.

SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) is a well-loved nonprofit organization that has been saving penguins (including the tuxedoed- tykes that hang out at Boulders) and other vulnerable seabirds for the past 42 years.

African penguins have recently been reclassified as ENDANGERED on the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature) Red Data List. This makes SANCCOB’s attempt to save each and every penguin vital to the survival of the species. SANCCOB’s dedicated staff work 365 days a year to save our oiled, injured and sick seabirds.

You can help SANCCOB to save a true South African icon - the African penguin.

On the evening of 2 October penguin-lovers will yet again gather at a glitterati evening in Simon’s Town to outbid each other at the All Creatures Great and Small auction to support SANCCOB.

Together with the hosts of the 10th annual Simons Town SANCCOB Benefit Auction, Boulders Beach Lodge, SANCCOB is asking you to assist us with this fundraising drive by donating items to be auctioned on the evening.

The driving force behind the festival, Janine Genade, GM Boulders Beach Lodge, has set the target at R100 000…. which translates into a lot of goodwill, a lot of auction and a lot of GREAT items.

This year we are again privileged to have Michelle Garforth-Venter MC the evening. A new and exciting development in 2010 is that her husband Riaan Garforth-Venter (Die Nutsman) will join her up on the stage. The evening is themed ‘All creatures great and small’ to pay tribute to 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. With canapés and welcome drinks on arrival, the 100 selected guests will be served a 3-course dinner, paired with wines selected to complement each dish. We are confident that the Garforth-Venter team will get them reaching deep into their pockets in support of SANCCOB.

This year we have been blessed with a generous donation of an education tent from Nomadik Tents. Which means that our education festival for children will be bigger and better than it has been for years. More children equals more prizes, so please folks, if you do have gifts the SANParks staff, who is kindly organizing a great week-end of fun-filled activities, can do with your donations.

Kick off this year is on Saturday with the annual African penguin Awareness Day beach release. So why don’t you waddle on down and join us this year and see what the fuss is all about.

We’ve compiled a Wish List to help you, but if it’s not on the wish list and you think we can auction it, (… and the rules haven’t changed from last year, you still can’t donate your mother in-law), then by all means send it along.

It’s our sincere hope that you’ll find it in your heart to help us to reach the R100k milestone.

With your help we know we can do it!

Yours sincerely

Venessa Strauss

SANCCOB CEO

Auction Items:Anything from .....

Restaurant and holiday getaway vouchers
Wine / spirits
Helicopter flips
Wine tastings / courses
Balloon rides
Furniture
Ornaments
Rugs
Paintings
Cell phones
Gadgets
Electronic equipment
CD’s / DVD’s
SPA/beauty treatments
Jewellery
Sports gear
Sushi hampers
….. and anything in between.

Items for our junior festival-goers:

Caps
Jackets
Scarf’s
Socks
Beanies
Jewellery for teenagers
Toys (ages 2 – 10 years)
Voucher (clothing stores)
Games for teenagers (board or computer games)
Arts and Crafts items (paper, cardboard, stationary, face paint, hair spray)
Curio-type items (key rings, gadgets, interesting and fun items)

Photographic competition:
Photographic equipment or vouchers

Please contact Janine at Boulders if you are able to donate an auction item.
Janine Tel: 021 786 1758 Email: boulders@iafrica.com

International Coastal Cleanup Day

Saturday 18th September is International Coastal Cleanup day.

GEESE (Glencairn Education & Environment Support Enthusiasts) are once again participating in this world wide effort and are inviting pariticipants to help them clean up Glencairn!

DATE: Friday 17th Sept and Saturday 18th Sept
TIME: 09.00 - 10.30
VENUE: Meet at the Southern Right Hotel
BRING: Tongs and/or gloves. GEESE will provide the bags!

People will be directed out to clean the beach, the river and the wetlands in the hope that after two days, Glencairn will be spotless and even more hopefully will stay that way. Southern Right Hotel will be supporting this effort by providing coffee, tea and snacks.

In July GEESE asked for help to donate 67 Madiba minutes to GEESE and approximately 40 people turned up to help cut down alien vegetation in Glencairn. The oldest particpant Joan Wright was just a few weeks older than Madiba himself. So please support GEESE on International Coastal Cleanup Day - young and old are welcome! Images above courtesy of Geese

If you know of any other Coastal Cleanups happening in the area please let us know on info@capepointroute.co.za

OTHER GEESE NEWS:

Leopard Toads have been breeding the Glencairn Valley this year! Please share any sightings of snakes, toads, bird lists, plants or animals with GEESE to help build the database of who and what lives in the Glencairn Valley.

An Egyptian Geese pair with 2 teenage goslings seem to have acquired a "laat lammetjie" as seen with this tiny chick. GEESE thinks someone found the chick and introduced it to the foster parents. Any information would be appreciated although the chick seems to be settline in well with it's new family! Pictured above!

Other dates to diarise:
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 1st, 2nd & 3rd October: Simon's Town Penguin Festival at Boulders Beach

Weds 17th November: Western Cape Wetlands Forum is holding its last meeting of the year, in Glencairn which is a first. Amongst other things, they will be looking at the eradication of Typha Project being undertaken by GEESE in front of the Southern Right Hotel.

For more information on GEESE: Please contact the Bromleys: cilla@bromley.co.za or call 021 782 6400

IMAGES:
1. Southern Right Hotel seen from Glencairn Vlei
2. GEESE Madiba Challenge - clearing Alien Vegetation
3. GEESE Madiba Challenge - including 92 year old member Joan Wright
4. Egyptian Geese - with the gosling arrival

Glencairn is located at the beginning of Simon’s Town. Glencairn is a hidden gem with a great family beach,the beach is also popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers, a wetlands area and a meeting place for most activities on the Cape Point Route. There’s an information office (yes that's the Cape Point Route office!), a dive centre, an African Cuisine and Galleria, small supermarket centre and the Southern Right Hotel with restaurant & entertainment, including live music, live big screen sporting action, ladies nights and more. Whale Season is still in full swing and this is a GREAT whale watching location. Select your Glencairn accommodation for easy access to Simon’s Town and the attractions on the Cape Point Route.

More Spring Splash 2010 Photos

Wikipedia says: “As a coastal suburb of Cape Town, Fish Hoek is popular as a residence for commuters, retired people and holidaymakers alike. The traditional industries of 'trek' fishing and angling coexist with the leisure pursuits of surfing, sailing and sunbathing.”

There is a lot more to Fish Hoek than being a Cape Town suburb for old people and dogs! If you had any doubts then pictures of the annual Spring Splash (taken by Cassie Carstens) taken on Fish Hoek Beach on Sunday 5 September 2010 should change your mind. See more pictures of the 2010 Spring Splash on Fish Hoek beach.

The wiki also prompted me to find out more about the allegations of retired people and I found some references to a National Geographic book called “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest” by Dan Buettner. It seems that the blue zones refer to areas round the world where the highest life expectancies occur and include Barbagia region of Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; the community of Seventh Day Adventists in Loma Linda, California; and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.

Obviously many factors contribute to longevity but some of these include:
•Living in a rural community rather than an urban one – connected to the environment.
•Married couples live longer than single or divorced people
•Women outlive men regularly by about six years
•Common sense
•Eating more plant-based foods
•Being active & incorporating activity into their daily routines
•Cutting stress
•Regular participation in a community with a supportive social network

Perhaps that is why Fish Hoek is so popular – despite being a suburb of the city of Cape Town it has a relaxed rural feel.
Fish Hoek residents are active and walk on the beach or on the mountain or Jagers Walk so activity is a part of their daily lives. Many residents play golf in Clovelly and there is an active surf-lifesaving, paddling, sailing, hobie-sailing & surfing community.
Fish Hoek has a strong sense of community and many social clubs and organizations – check out www.scenicsouth.co.za for more about community activities.
Fish Hoek is without doubt a great place for holiday and an excellent base for exploring the Cape Point Route.

And don't forget it's Whale Watching season!

If you would like more information on Fish Hoek or would like to book accommodation or activities in the area please contact Cape Point Route on 021 782 9356 or visit the website www.capepointroute.co.za

IMAGES: All images courtesy of Cassie Carstens. Thank You!