Sand, surf and sun – all without the hassle of high tides
, shark warnings and rowdy seas. In fact, the only rowdiness you’ll experience at Springbreak – the annual Sun City beach festival held in September – is the kind you ask for: rock concerts, extreme sports, wild parties and bustling crowds.
That’s because Springbreak takes place at the resort’s inland Valley of the Waves, a safer and more intimate alternative to the real coast. As the locals say: ‘It’s a jol!’ -translates into a good time.
Get your Fix
Sun City is in the country’s interior North West province, 1700 meters above sea level and a long way from the ocean. But its 18 ha aquatic playgroundis an ‘adrenaline junkie’s fix’.
Started in 2002, Springbreak was initiated to offer entertainment for people of all ages in the form of extreme adventures in a unique setting. The Valley’s roaring lagoon wave-pool contains 8 million litres of water, regularly creating ideal surfing waves that move at about 35km per hour. Complete with its own version of beach sand, it’s also a great place to catch a tan.
Bikini-girls and Surfer-boys
The Springbreak concept is an international one that appeals to younger travellers, especially those looking for great sport and entertainment line-ups. With Baywatch-looking lifeguards dressed in red, bikini-clad girls and surfer boys, Springbreak regularscould just as well be in Miami or on Durban’s North Beach.
But the event isn’t only for the beach boys and babes. It’s becoming quite popular with families as well because of the variety of activities on offer. There are jet-ski races, shows, surfing, wall-climbing, beach-volleyball, bikini contests and more. Previous events have even included parasailing, horse riding and an African safari aboard an elephant.
See the Sights
And if extreme adventure is not your thing, you can relax and take in the scenery and vibe. Local celebrities like Olympic swimmer Ryk Neethling, soccer teams such as Orlando Pirates and local bands have made appearances at pastfestivals.
National popular radio station, 5fm, broadcasts live from the event, providing much of the music. There’s also a Miss Springbreak competition that visitors can enjoy, or even enter, for the grand cash and product hamper prizes.
In the past, the festival has attracted over 50 000 people. Tickets are available through Computicket.
© Photographs are courtesy and copyright of Olivia Jones Communications
Links: