Riverfest & The Mile Regatta

ABOUT

Come for the RIVERFEST MARKET on the Saturday! Stay for the MILE REGATTA on both Saturday and Sunday! Food Court, Beer Tent, and spectator bike path available both days.

Enjoy exploring the RIVERFEST market on the banks of the Vaal River on the Saturday, while cheering for THE MILE REGATTA, an exhilarating rowing event, on both the Saturday and Sunday.

This unique riverbank event will be held over the weekend of 19-20 October 2024 at the Aqua Vaal Angling Club on the Vaal River. The venue boasts a 1 Mile (1609m) straight course which will provide excellent spectator viewing. The athletes will comprise of rowing schools, universities, and senior rowing clubs from Gauteng with approximately 600 rowers participating in the event. Bring your mountain bike and cycle along the path to support your favourite crew!

TICKETS

Children under 12 are free

RIVERFEST & MILE REGATTA tickets for Saturday only are R50.00 per person (excl Quicket booking fees).

MILE REGATTA tickets for Sunday only are R50.00 per person (excl Quicket booking fees).

PERMITTED

Umbrellas, gazebos, camping chairs, blankets, mountain bikes.

NOT PERMITTED

No animals or pets. No alcohol may be brought into the venue; however, it may be purchased at the bar on-site.

BIKE PATH

There is a bicycle path available to follow racing from the ½ mile to the ±70m from the finish. Spectators and coaches may make use of this path. It is strictly one-way to avoid accidents. Once cyclists reach the finish area they must return via the return route and may not ride against the flow back to the start. Mountain bikes or cyclocross bikes are appropriate. Cyclists are responsible for the security of their bikes.

SPECTATOR SEATING

RIVERFEST venue has large, shaded areas, so bring your picnic blankets and enjoy the Market, Food Court, Tuckshop, and Bar; as well as watch the racing of THE MILE REGATTA.

THE MILE REGATTA provides plenty of seating area for spectators, so bring your gazebos, blankets, and/or camping chairs. The last 70m of the racecourse from the finish line will be reserved for standing spectators and RIVERFEST patrons only (no chairs, no gazebos). So, when a spectator’s race of interest is scheduled, they can move from their gazebos to watch the finish line, and then return to their gazebos afterwards. The last 400m will be clearly visible from the RIVERFEST bar and tent, which are behind the spectator's standing area but elevated.

FOOD AND DRINKS

A bar (including Beer Tent & seating), coffee stand, and food court will be available throughout the event, including the sale of beverages, Bacon & Egg rolls, Prego rolls, Burgers, Wors rolls, sweets & snacks. Bar opens at 10am.

WEATHER

In the event of unfavourable weather, the President of the Jury shall make all decisions with regards to safety, and whether racing should proceed as per the events schedule. If the regatta is delayed, event times shall be rescheduled to include earlier and/or later times of racing on the remaining day/s of the regatta in order to complete all events. In the event of lightning, athletes and spectators, and RIVERFEST attendees will be advised to seek refuge in busses and cars until the lightning is declared safe.

DIRECTIONS