Instead of the butcher, the baker and the candle-stick maker, the fourth edition of FEAT welcomes a climber, an expedition mountain biker and a stand-up paddleboarder to its stage in October. These are just three of the nine speakers at Fascinating Expedition & Adventure Talks (FEAT), a one-night event of seven-minute talks by South African adventurers.
“This is FEAT’s third year and it is catching on now,” says FEAT creator and organiser Lisa de Speville.
“The line up for this fourth event is diverse and the speakers range from a climbing legend to a first-time adventurer, a professional athlete and mountain rescue expert. Different disciplines, durations of adventure, experience, age… audience members will relate to one or more of the speakers”.
De Speville encourages people to attend FEAT not only to hear and meet people behind the names that they recognise but to attend for all the names that are not familiar.
“I watch the Banff Mountain Film Festival every year without checking the line up. There will be sports I know and sports I don’t but regardless the experience will be rewarding – and it always is. FEAT is very much like this,” she explains.
“Even if you get horrendously seasick and are never going to try stand-up paddleboarding, you’re sure to be captivated by Christo Smeda’s adventure, the images and the experience that he had with his two friends on their rough-and-ready expedition around Zanzibar. I guarantee many memorable messages from these nine seven-minute talks.”
Speakers at FEAT Jo’burg 2012 include Alard Hufner, Christo Smeda, Ed February, Elizabeth de Speville, Elsie Bezuidenhout, James Lea-Cox, James Pitman, Martin Dreyer and Rob Thomas. Their talk topics range from mountaineering to stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), mountain rescue and an around-the-world flight in a locally designed and built plane.
Applications for the annual 2012/2013 FEAT Award are still open. FEAT Award is a cash prize that is granted to assist in making an adventure possible. Entry forms are available on the FEAT website and they must be submitted by Wednesday, 29 August 2012. The winner will be announced at FEAT.
FEAT will be held on Thursday, 4 October 2012 at the Alexander Theatre in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Doors to the theatre open at 18h30 and the evening starts at 19h00. Secure, covered parking is available. Tickets are available online through EntryTickets.net. The early-bird rate of R150 expires on Monday, 27 August 2012; thereafter tickets are R180. Group bookings (10 or more tickets) are available, while tickets last, at R150/ticket. Tickets will not be available on the night. R5 from every ticket sold is donated to the FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Johannesburg.
News of adventures and videos of talks from previous FEAT events, as well as those from FEAT Canada, are available on the FEAT website at www.featsa.co.za. You can also follow FEAT on Twitter (@AdventureFEAT) and on Facebook (/FEATSA).
FEAT is made possible by the support of its sponsors – Black Diamond, Capestorm, Group 6 Isilulu and Land Rover. These adventurous companies are not only behind FEAT but also many adventurers and expeditions. Go Multi and Getaway magazines promote FEAT as well as outdoor activities, sports and athletes.