Displays at the hugely successful Durban Land, Sea and Air Festival captivate the crowds. The inaugural Durban Land, Sea and Air Festival, which took place on the Durban Beachfront from the 21 st to the 22 nd March, pulled a record-breaking crowd of more than a 100,000 people during the two days. The fuel-charged event featured flight and water displays and the much-anticipated Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics.
The Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics contest which saw 10 local and five international pilots competing for the top spot took place on the Friday and Saturday. The 10 South African pilots competed on day one for a space in the top five to go head to head against the internationals on day two. After a nail-biting day of flying it was down to the wire with France’s Francois le Vot taking first place in a flawless routine. South Africa’s Patrick Davidson, the youngest pilot to compete, took second place.
The overall ranking is as follows:
1) Francois le Vot, France
2) Patrick Davidson, South Africa
3) Mikhail Mamistov, Russia
4) Nigel Hopkins, South Africa
5) Philip Steinbach, Germany
6) Gerald Cooper, Great Britain
7) Mark Hensman, South Africa
8) Petr Kopfstein, Czech Republic
9) Bertus du Preez, South Africa
10) Barrie Eales, South Africa
Other highlights included displays by the South African Air Force’s Silver Falcons, parachute drops and the Good Year Eagles. The indisputable showstoppers were the Gripen Fighter Jet and an appearance by an SAA Airbus flanked by the Silver Falcons. Both displays had spectators on their feet as these magnificent aircraft flew low above the sea.
Festival organiser, Brian Emmenis from Capital Sounds, was thrilled with the event’s success. “It’s been wonderful to see families and visitors from elsewhere in South Africa and abroad enjoying the beachfront and the displays. And best of all, it was free! Our goal was to bring aviation to people who wouldn’t normally afford to attend this type of an event and we succeeded.”
Clive Coetzee, General Manager of the KZN Treasury (one of the event sponsors), Infrastructure Management and Economic Services Unit said the festival ticked all the boxes. We had a great development programme, the festival attracted a large number of people from all backgrounds, it gave us the opportunity to showcase Durban and finally created a sense of pride in our city.”
Due to its huge success, there is no doubt the crowds will flock back to Durban’s beaches next year for the second Durban Land, Sea and Air Festival.