Luxury powerboat enthusiasts from around the globe are flocking to Riviera’s 14-hectare state-of-the-art Coomera waterfront facility on Australia’s sunny Gold Coast for 2014’s ultimate boating event – the Riviera Festival of Boating.
Riviera’s chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst said the festival – which continues until Sunday – gives luxury power boat enthusiasts the chance to experience an impressive line-up of new boats, tour the factory in which they are crafted, undertake a raft of boating educational events and enjoy a stunning array of entertainment and social events … all in the one location.
And it is very much a family affair.
“The Riviera Festival of Boating is designed to encourage all Riviera owners and aspiring owners to come to Coomera with their children and grandchildren for four days of fun,” he said. “We want to help our valued owners realise their individual boating dreams and we have created a unique environment where they can meet other Riviera and Belize owners – after all, the family which boats together stays together.”
Highlights of this years 3rd Riviera Festival of Boating include the world premiere of the striking, sleek and sporty new 515 SUV and she takes centre stage at the $22 million red carpet undercover showcase of Riviera’s awarded range of luxury powerboats, which continues throughout the festival.
“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,” Mr Longhurst said.
“Riviera and Belize enthusiasts have the opportunity to get a true feel for our latest models in a relaxed, friendly and unhurried environment.”
Also on display will be the flagship of the Riviera fleet – the 75 Enclosed Flybridge – as well as a luxurious 54 Daybridge Belize Motoryacht, which certainly stands out when she cruises into a bay of modern craft. Riviera purchased the Belize brand in 2012.
The red carpet undercover boat show runs in tandem with a Technology Showcase featuring a huge range of navigational equipment, underwater lighting, entertainment systems, diesel engines, generators, electronics, desalinators, anchor winches, gyro stabilisers and tenders, with experts on hand to share their immense knowledge of all things boating.
The Technology Showcase will be held in the large Hub marquee located adjacent to the undercover marina, right in the heart of the Festival, and features industry-leading marine brands including Volvo Penta, Twin Disc, Raymarine, Garmin, Cummins Onan, Bose, Aqualuma and Ultra Marine … to name but a few.
Riviera CEO Wes Moxey said this year’s educational program truly had something for every luxury boating enthusiast, including skipper training for men, women and children, interactive displays, Riviera factory tours, offshore seamanship seminar with Captain Bob Jones, maintenance tricks of the trade, fishing clinics, electronic navigation, sanitation system maintenance, and anchoring, line work and rafting.
Popular new educational events include Jet Ski Practical Handling, Tender Practical Handling, Navigation Marker Challenge, and a seminar by long-time Riviera owners Peter and Narelle Williams, who will share their unique experiences after clocking up 36,000 nautical miles on board their Riviera 47 Open Flybridge.
The world-class entertainment program includes a marina party and Jazz nightclub and will be headlined by the Riviera Cirquetacular gala dinner on Saturday night that will be attended by more than 400 guests.
“We’re also looking forward to our Master Chef BBQ Challenge on the Sunday with a few tickets still available,” Mr Moxey said. “This event will be a fun and palate-pleasing way to put your boat barbecue culinary skills to the test and and salute the success of the Riviera Festival of Boating.”
The Master Chef BBQ Challenge will see enthusiastic amateur chefs will go head to head in a fun-filled barbecue cook-off in a bid to win some great Riviera prizes. This event offers a three-course meal and, of course, a children’s menu is available.