Riviera is currently preparing for its biggest annual boating event as motor yacht owners and enthusiasts from all over the world gather at the home of Australia’s favourite and most awarded luxury yacht manufacturer for the 3rd edition of Riviera Festival of Boating. The event will run from May 22 to 25, 2014.
Riviera's red carpet undercover on water display will feature a $22 million showcase of Riviera and Belize luxury yachts from 36 to 75 feet in length - Rix Ryan Photography
The Riviera Festival of Boating provides an opportunity for owners and aspiring owners of luxury pleasure craft to come together at Riviera’s 14-hectare, state-of-the-art Coomera facility for four days of boating education and fun-filled social activities.
Last year’s registrations were up by more than 50 per cent, which has prompted Riviera to expand the events program with a series of new seminars amongst more than 76 individual educational and social events held over the four days.
Riviera’s chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst said the Riviera Festival of Boating was all about encouraging families to acquire the skills, practicalities and knowledge required to truly realise the full enjoyment of boating.
“Boating is very much a family affair and we encourage our Riviera and Belize owners to learn more about their boats and onboard systems and to enhance their boat handling skills to ensure they are getting the best performance and achieving the ultimate boating experience,” Mr Longhurst said.
Contestants will have the opportunity to cook up a storm at the Master Chef BBQ Challenge - Rix Ryan Photography
“It is also pleasing to see so many interstate and international owners making the trip to Queensland’s Gold Coast for our annual Festival of Boating.
“This year we have some exciting new events added to the program, including a seminar from Riviera owners Narelle and Peter Williams who have travelled some 36,000 nautical miles, equivalent to one-and-a-half times around the world, in their Riviera 47 Open Flybridge and they look forward to sharing their couple-focused cruising experiences, information and advice in a delightful seminar.”
Riviera owner William Clise travelled from Seattle in the United States of America to inspect the new 50 Enclosed Flybridge at the 2013 Festival of Boating.
“It is a beautiful boat with a full walk around master suite midships and internal staircase to the flybridge. And I am proud to be the first person in North America to own one,” Mr Clise said.
The new Riviera 515 SUV will make her world premiere at the Festival of Boating in May
“I was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the Riviera team and I thought the educational sessions were excellent. I hope to do a trip to Alaska in the future so the knowledge I have gained from the seminars that I attended will be extremely helpful during this extended voyage.”
The 2014 program will include something for every boating enthusiast with skipper training for men, women and children. The expanded program will include interactive displays, the Technology Showcase on the waterfront and some of the most popular events such as, Riviera factory tours, offshore seamanship with Captain Bob Jones, maintenance tricks of the trade, fishing clinics, electronic navigation, sanitation system maintenance, and anchoring, line work and rafting, to name but a few.
Riviera’s red carpet, under cover on-water display will showcase an impressive line-up of brand new models from Riviera and Belize with a retail value of AUD$22 million, including the new 515 SUV, which will make her world premiere at the Festival, and the flagship of the Riviera fleet, the 75 Enclosed Flybridge yacht.
The Riv Kidz Skipper program is conducted on the weekend for children aged between six and 12 - Rix Ryan Photography
Mr Longhurst said that the Festival was the ultimate boating event.
“Riviera and Belize enthusiasts have the opportunity to get a true feel for our latest models in a relaxed, friendly and unhurried environment,” he said.
“We look forward to showcasing the newest models from 36 to 75 feet from our Flybridge, Sport Yacht, SUV and Belize Motoryacht Collections and we will have a team of dedicated professionals on hand to assist with providing a greater understanding of our diverse model range.
“We also look forward to our exciting social events, including the Friday night marina party and night club and we are encouraging people to roll up for our Saturday night gala dinner under the big top as the Cirquetacular comes to Riviera for an exclusive dinner show.”
The Saturday night Gala Dinner event is always a popular event at the Festival - Rix Ryan Photography
The Riviera Festival of Boating offers free entry, free on-site parking and easy access with many owners able to arrive by their own boat at the Festival. A Riviera owners visitor arm will be available and owners can book a berth for a 24-hour period.
People are encouraged to register early as places to all seminars and events are limited. Riviera owners will receive guaranteed registration at all events.
Riviera owners will have access to the VIP waterfront lounge on the marina and will also offer VIP parking and transport to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show via ferry to all registered Festival guests.
The women's skipper program gives more confidence at the helm - Rix Ryan Photography
Riviera offers 15 different models from 36 to 75 feet across three model series Flybridge, Sport Yacht and the new SUV collection.
In 2012 Riviera celebrated the launch of its 5000th boat, the 445 SUV, a significant achievement in the company’s rich 34-year history.
Riviera also offers the bespoke Belize Motoryachts. Inspired by classic luxury details and timeless style, Belize Motoryachts has recently released the new 54-foot Sedan and Daybridge models.
