Page 45 - Ubuntu Repro Upload

There is something for the whole family at this year’s Splash Festival: an array of stalls to browse, live performances, circus shows for the kids, talent shows, a Little Miss Splash pageant and a body-building competition.

One of the main highlights of the Splash Festival is without a doubt the dazzling freworks display on Saturday, 7 April at 8pm.

The Bay will also uphold its reputation as the watersports capital of Africa with various sporting activities taking place throughout the weekend at the beach and watersports arenas.

Beach action includes a new 32-team knockout Beach Touch Rugby competition, which will take place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival. Another new entry is a Beach Tennis Tournament, which will take place in the main beach arena on the Friday of the festival. In addition to the entertainment and action on land, swimmers, lifesavers and Jet Ski riders will be making a big splash over the whole weekend.

On Saturday, around 100 of the country’s “bravest swimmers” will tackle the Nelson 8km Mandela Bay Bell Buoy Challenge.

Youngsters from the Masakhane Future Stars Development

Programme will be given the opportunity to swim with some of the top open water swimmers in the Izani Siqubhe 1km swim on the morning of Easter Sunday.

Also on Easter Sunday, is a 1km beach run/walk for children under 12. The water sport action peaks on Easter Monday, with the King / Queen of the Bay

competition, which includes Malibu Board, Beach Sprints, Beach Flags and Surf Swim events - both men’s and ladies divisions.

Portfolio Chairperson for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, said the Splash Festival was one of the most exciting events on the calendar of Nelson Mandela Bay that many residents look forward to.

“I expect this year to be another bumper Easter weekend for our city. I encourage all residents and visitors to the city to support the performing artists and all the entertainment we have lined up along the beachfront. This is a time to relax and enjoy your time off, and there should be nowhere else you would rather be than at the Splash Festival,” said Cllr Lobishe.