Ocean Festival delivers in fine fashion in Scottburgh
The weather played the game too as the area came alive with activity.
Scottburgh on the KZN South Coast came alive from May 1 to 3 as Ocean Festival returned for its fourth edition, delivering a dynamic long weekend of ocean sport, wellness, entertainment, and conservation-focused experiences.
Hosted at Scottburgh main beach and the Premier Resort Cutty Sark, the festival attracted a strong turnout of competitors, spectators and event-goers who were kept entertained by a programme aimed at connecting people with the ocean – while supporting local tourism and businesses.
“This year’s festival really showcased how everything comes together – the sport, the community, and the conservation message,” said Barry Lewin, event organiser. “It’s about creating access to the ocean while building a deeper understanding of why we need to protect it, and we’re seeing more people connect with that each year.”
The sports line-up was a major highlight, with top performances across multiple disciplines. The Ocean Festival Lifesaving Carnival set the tone early in the weekend, with strong performances across all age groups in challenging surf conditions, reflecting the continued growth of lifesaving on the South Coast.
The Ocean Festival Surf Pro delivered exceptional action in near-perfect conditions, with Michael Venter taking top honours in the open men’s division, while rising talents across junior divisions showcased the strength of the region’s surfing pipeline. The inaugural Schools Tag Team Surf Contest brought a fresh, team-based format to competitive surfing, with Surfers Not Street Children securing an impressive victory.
On Sunday, the Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge provided a fitting finale, with multiple world champion Hank McGregor and Keegan Vogt claiming the doubles title, while Verne Vogt took the singles win.
The race once again highlighted the rare opportunity to compete through the Aliwal Shoal marine protected area (MPA), a globally recognised Mission Blue Hope Spot.
Beyond sport, the festival delivered a vibrant mix of lifestyle experiences, including the Scotties Striders Run, Veranda Panda Wake & Shake sessions at Wild Coffee, Granny Grommets bodyboarding, Ocean Experience boat trips, conservation talks, wellness classes, film screenings, and live music.
Ocean Festival continues to position Scottburgh as a key winter destination while reinforcing the importance of ocean conservation through community-driven engagement.
Photos by John Ivins
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