The weather gods will be smiling on visitors to this long weekend’s 19th annual MTN Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival.
According to Garth Sampson, from the Port Elizabeth branch of the South African Weather Service, the weather conditions on Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be “near-perfect”. “We expect temperatures in the high twenties with clear skies and practically no wind,” he says.
Participants in Friday’s tough World Series-rated Surf Ski Classic can expect temperatures in the comfortable mid-twenties. “It will be slightly overcast and there will be a very light easterly,” according to Sampson.
Festival organiser, Glenn van Eck from Magnetic Storm, says the parking area at Hobie Beach will be closed to the public, but The Boardwalk will make theirs available to festivalgoers. “People can also park on the grass next to Marine Drive in the vicinity of Fourth Avenue and at Kings Beach.”
According to him, they are working closely with the traffic department, disaster management and the police to ensure a safe passage for all. “The area will be monitored throughout and Marine Drive may be closed before, during and after the Algoa FM Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday evening.”
He says the fireworks will start at 8.30pm and finish at about 9pm.
The only other time that Marine Drive will be closed, will be during the Engen Dynamic Cycle Challenge on Sunday. “It will be closed between the Beach Hotel and Second Avenue,” says Van Eck.
“We advise the public to use Strandfontein Road as an alternative route to access Summerstrand.”
Besides watersport, there will be a huge beach soccer tournament, volleyball and wrestling to keep visitors entertained. More than 150 stalls and live entertainment throughout the weekend will add to the festive vibe.
Local swimmer Kyle Main’s attempt to become the first solo-swimmer to swim twice around the bell buoy off Pollok Beach, from Hobie Beach, will be one of Monday’s highlights. He will start this epic 14-kilometre journey at 9am and finish about four hours later.
The daily programme starts at 10am with entertainment for kids.
For the full programme, visit www.splashfestival.com or contact the festival office on 041 393 4844.
Issued by:
Full Stop Communications
Coetzee Gouws
041 368 4992
082 575 7991
coetzee@fullstopcom.com
www.fullstopcom.com
On behalf of:
MTN Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival