Riviera Festival expands

Riviera says that a new workshop designed to make skippering a small boat child’s play is expected to be hugely entertaining and educational for pint sized captains at the Riviera Festival of Boating held from May 23 to 26 at Coomera on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

It is one of seven new educational workshops which have been added to the program since the Festival registration website went live in March. 

Riviera tells us that it has been inundated with registrations and enquiries as the date of May 17 when registrations officially close rapidly approaches. The original program of 76 educational and social events has prompted the addition of several new workshops, including the Riv Kidz Skipper Program, which now brings the total to 83 individual events.

The new events offered in the expanded educational program include, anchoring, line work, rafting and mooring; onboard entertainment; understanding gyro stabilisers, electrical power systems; understanding electrical accessories, understanding marine insurance, and a special children’s only Riv Kidz Skipper training program. Limited places are available at all workshops and registration via the Festival of Boating website is essential.

Riviera’s Chairman Rodney Longhurst said boating was very much a family affair and the Riviera Festival of Boating encouraged all Riviera and aspiring power boat owners to become more confident on the water.

“Our educational events have proved extremely popular with our owners who are always keen to learn more about their boats and onboard systems,” Mr Longhurst said.

"The women’s and men’s skipper programs are usually the first to book out.  There has been a growing demand to introduce the Riv Kidz Skipper Program for children aged under 16 years and we are proud to have nautical trainer Karla Herbert-Evans on board at this year’s Riviera Festival of Boating."

Ms Herbert-Evans said most parents were keen to have their children learn the skills and knowledge to handle their tenders and smaller vessels.

There are two Riv Kidz Skipper Workshops held on the weekend of the four-day Festival so people are encouraged to register early to avoid disappointment.  Visit www.rivieraaustralia.com/festival for all the latest Festival news and registration forms.

"These new workshops are designed to give power boat owners and enthusiasts the knowledge and experience to become confident boat owners," Mr Longhurst said.

"We encourage our Riviera owners to learn more about their boats and onboard systems to ensure they are getting the best performance and achieving the ultimate enjoyable boating experience."

For more information go to: http://www.rivieraaustralia.com/