Riviera to stage major showcase and new model announcements exclusively at 2015 Gold Coast Internati
Iconic Australian luxury yacht builder Riviera has confirmed it will announce three new yacht models plus an entirely new yacht design at its giant $15 million showcase that will be exclusive to this year’s Gold Coast International Marine Expo.
The Riviera Festival of Boating this year aligns with the dates of the Expo – a massive showcase of all things aquatic, from superyachts to jet skis, kayaks to fishing gear … and everything in between.
Although full details of the new-generation yachts are being kept under wraps until the Expo (21-24 May 2015), the pending announcement is creating excitement within the global family of Riviera and Belize owners, many of whom will attend the Expo and the prestige marque’s unique festival of fun and learning at the world-class Riviera facility at Coomera on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Riviera chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst confirmed the new-generation models would feature the latest in marine innovation and luxury lifestyle concepts across the classic Riviera Flybridge and new SUV crossover collections. “We will also be announcing an entirely new style and design of Riviera that will create a new model collection within the diverse Riviera range,” he said.
“In addition to unveiling details of our latest luxury models, we will be showcasing a stunning line-up of yachts – it will be a $15 million red carpet, on-water, undercover display of Riviera and Belize yachts that you won’t see anywhere else in May.”
On display at the Riviera Marina will be every yacht in the adventurous SUV collection – the 445, 515 and 565 models – as well as the stylish and sophisticated 3600, 5000 and new 6000 Sport Yachts, the seriously seaworthy 43 Open Flybridge, the 50 Enclosed Flybridge and 53 Enclosed Flybridge models, and the classically inspired Belize 54 Daybridge.
Mr Longurst said the Riviera Festival of Boating is open to motoryacht owners and aspiring owners and included over 70 educational seminars, practical workshops and social events across the festival’s four fantastic days.
“Everyone is welcome to come and harness the full power of knowledge about boating and their on-board systems, and to see how boating is now such an accessible, enjoyable and rewarding lifestyle,” he said.
Among the 11 new Festival educational seminars for 2015 are Marine Assist focusing on emergency essentials, Understanding the Weather conducted by an expert meteorologist, Living the Riviera Dream with David and Sue Rogers who spent three months living aboard their 43 Open Flybridge, Escape, and Sydney to Singapore with Riviera skipper Tim Edwards, which includes details of an epic leg from Darwin to Singapore aboard the 75 Enclosed Flybridge, Seabreeze, without stopping for fuel.
All the Festival's most popular workshops and demonstrations also return with refreshed content, and cover everything from line-work and maintenance ‘tricks of the trade’ to offshore seamanship and navigation.
Mr Longhurst said the Festival – now in its 4th year – is about helping people to understand their boats and onboard systems, developing their skills and confidence to use their boats to their full potential.
“It’s all about enhancing the boating experience … helping people to stretch their sea legs and experience the exhilaration of blue-water cruising, from weekend excursions to extended coastal passages,” he said.
“Pre-registrations are essential as places in each workshop are limited, so I urge anyone who is interested to register today via www.festivalofboating.com to avoid disappointment.”
The very popular Festival social events require tickets to be purchased in advance for catering purposes. This year the social events include a Perfume Masterclass ladies luncheon on Friday, a seafood-inspired Dock of the Bay marina party on Friday evening, as well as a spectacular R Factor gala on Saturday evening where some of the best voices in Australia will battle it out for supremacy. “The Festival itself will be held within the Riviera factory, with a significant part of the rest of the 14-hectare Riviera facility being made available to Expo as one of five key event sites spanning the entire Gold Coast Marine Precinct at Coomera,” said Mr Longhurst.
“Riviera will also be conducting 60-minute fully narrated train and bus factory tours of our world-class luxury boat building facility – the largest in the Southern Hemisphere – with the train departing every hour on the half-hour from 9.30am to 3.30pm,” he said.
“This will be an opportunity to see behind the scenes how a Riviera is built – from hand lamination through to engineering, to quality control and right through to final fit-out. In fact the train tours were so popular when we first introduced them in October, that this year we will have a bigger train.”
Mr Longhurst said Riviera’s support of the not-for-profit Gold Coast International Marine Expo recognises the event’s growing in stature within the wider marine industry. “As one of the founding partners of the Expo, we wanted to show our commitment to creating a new paradigm of boat show, one not only that has been created by marine industry leaders to foster growth and prosperity in the wider marine industry, but one which also opens up and showcases the fun and enjoyment of boating to everyone,” he said.
“The Expo’s success can be measured by the fact it has the support of many of Australia’s marine industry leaders and some of the world’s leading marine brands, and has donated considerably to major local service groups and charitable organisations.”
• If you would like to register for any of the Riviera Festival of Boating educational or purchase tickets to the social events, please visit www.festivalofboating.com.au
