Registrations open for Riviera’s largest-ever festival of fun and learning in May

Registrations are now open for the Riviera Festival Boating in May – 2016’s Ultimate Boating Event.

With a greater focus than ever before on broadening the boating knowledge and skills of luxury motor yacht owners, Riviera’s 2016 educational program is the Festival’s most expansive ever.

This year the marque will present over 110 informative and very hands-on workshops spread over four days to build boating safety and confidence, including 17 brand-new workshops.

Many of the Festival’s popular workshops have been fully refreshed, providing ever greater in-depth training in specific areas of nautical interest. “The Riviera Festival of Boating is open to all luxury motor yacht owners, and aspiring owners,” said Riviera’s owner and chairman Rodney Longhurst. “It doesn’t matter if you are brand-new to luxury motor yacht ownership or you have been enjoying it all your life, even the most experienced offshore skippers will discover something new and informative at this year’s Riviera Festival of Boating,” he said.

“Popular workshops will be presented multiple times over the four fun days – hands-on practical sessions on the water in the mornings and theory in air-conditioned comfort in the afternoons – but places are limited, so we are urging visitors to book now to avoid disappointment.”

The Riviera Festival of Boating – coinciding with the Gold Coast International Marine Expo from 19-22 May 2016 – draws owners from around Australia and around the world to celebrate and share in all that it is that makes boating with Riviera so unique.

Over the past four years, Riviera’s truly unique Festival has assisted hundreds of motor yacht owners from around the world to stretch their sea legs and enjoy more of the rich and rewarding benefits of the luxury life afloat.

This year Riviera takes the exhilaration and enjoyment to inspiring new levels with both introductory and advanced courses to suit all degrees of seamanship and boating knowledge to be presented by nautical trainers with a wealth of boating wisdom and experiences.

“As every boater knows, there’s always much more to learn and much more to enjoy on the water … and this applies equally to our male and female skippers,” said Mr Longhurst.

“For 2016 we have expanded both the popular Ladies Skipper and Men’s Skipper programs to provide even greater confidence at the helm whilst cruising, berthing, anchoring and rafting,” he said. “We will have special workshops focusing on whipping and splicing, tender handling and also a Riv Kids Skipper workshop for children.”

The Festival’s 2016 Seamanship Program aims to inspire Riviera and Belize owners to use their yachts to their full potential. Experienced skipper Tim Edwards will present a workshop on offshore seamanship, while one of Australia’s meteorologists Anthony Cornelius will present separate workshops on weather fundamentals and advanced forecasting.

Maintenance Programs will be presented by marine professionals covering Preventative Maintenance & Discovering the Tricks of the Trade, Understanding Desalination, Know Your Generator, Troubleshooting Sanitation Systems and Understanding the Science of Anti-Fouling.

The Systems Programs reflect how Riviera is embracing the technology that makes boating so much easier and more enjoyable. Workshops include Understanding the Simplicity of CZone, Onboard Power Systems, Get The Most From The Glass Cockpit, and Experience a Riviera Shaft-Drive with Express Joystick & See The Seakeeper At Work.

Navigation and safety have a special focus at this year’s Festival.

Registrants can book for Traditional Navigation 1 – Passage Planning, Traditional Navigation 2 – Positioning, Basic Radar – Fixing Targets, Radar Rendezvous – Traditional Chart Plotting, Local Direction, IALA Buoyage System/Collision Regulations and Understanding Electronic Navigation with Raymarine.

Fire Training & Emergency Planning, Emergency Protocols & Procedures, First Aid Essentials, Safe Towing, Anchoring & Rafting, Radio Communications – Distress, Marine Assist & Safety are open to all registrants, while on Sunday Riviera and Belize owners will be able to attain their Australian Waters Qualification.

Mr Longhurst said the 2016 program was the Festival’s most extensive yet, and also included inspirational seminars on interior design and cruising to idyllic destinations.

“The keynote speaker at the 2016 Festival is Adelaide entrepreneur and seasoned sailor Jason Squire, who in the three months after taking delivery of his very first motor yacht – a Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht christened The Silver Fox – cruised some 5000 nautical miles and over 400 hours to some of Australia’s amazing dive sites, including the remote Osprey Reef in Far North Queensland,” he said.

“Jason’s passion for underwater photography and videography combined with his amazing grasp of technology and offshore seamanship will make for a riveting presentation that will certainly inspire the cruising dreams of every luxury motor yacht owner.”

On the Riviera Marina – as part of the award-winning Gold Coast International Marine Expo – there will be even more inspiration in the form of 12 stunning examples of on-water excellence.

“We will be rolling out the red carpet to welcome Expo and Festival visitors to our $20 million showcase of our latest luxury designs, including the 575 SUV at her World Premiere, the 5400 Sport Yacht at her Australian Premiere, and the 57 Enclosed Flybridge at her Queensland Premiere,” said Mr Longhurst.

“As well as Festival guests, we will be also inviting the public to board The Riviera Express train or air-conditioned mini-coach for a fully narrated tour of our world-class yacht-building facility,” he said. “This year we will be providing an even greater insight into the legendary build-quality that is a hallmark of Riviera.”

Of course, the Festival is just as much about fun and celebration as it is about education and Riviera also invites luxury motor yacht owners to a special Ladies Day at the Festival – Fashion & Fine Food Luncheon at Marina Mirage and Fellini Restorante e Bar, as well as a Saturday night gala cocktail marina party followed by a spectacular dinner show, Viva Las Riviera, to be attended by over 500 guests in a special section of the Riviera factory.

“The 2016 Riviera Festival of Boating promises, as always, to be something truly memorable,” said Mr Longhurst.

Registration for the Festival’s educational workshops and social events is essential, and places are limited. Please visit FestivalofBoating.com or contact your nearest Riviera and Belize dealer for further information.