FEATTM, the evening of talks by South African adventurers, takes place next week. Aside from the diverse line-up, which includes talks on the disciplines of climbing, big-wave surfing, expedition mountain biking and post-expedition psychology, there’s also an exciting announcement. The first recipient of the FEAT Award will be made public.
The FEAT Award was created this year to celebrate an adventurous spirit by contributing to making an adventure possible. Straight-up cash is often a limiting factor in getting an adventure off the ground. It is comparatively easier for people to get products sponsored or reduced prices from suppliers but financial contributions are few. Most adventurers bite the bullet and load their credit cards to make their adventure happen; a bit of cash helps to ease the load.
“FEAT Award welcomes applications for adventures that are of any duration, in any destination and by any human-powered discipline,” says FEAT creator, Lisa de Speville. Adventures that are original, pioneering, inspirational and interesting are favoured in the selection process. She adds that applicants do not have to try to be the first to do something or attempt speed and distance records; she’s looking for creativity and a love for your sporting discipline.
“After listening to the talks at FEAT next week I’m certain that many in the audience will get crunching on adventure concepts to submit for the next Award,” she laughs.
Some interesting applications were submitted. “A solo mountain bike expedition, a 2500km unicycle ride and a surf ski adventure caught my attention; but they don’t win the Award,” says de Speville.
De Speville says that in considering applications she has to give thought to how the adventure will fit in with the FEAT mix, as the Award recipient will speak at the next evening of FEAT Talks. “Within this specific category the audience will relate better to adventures that are shorter – days and weeks, rather than those spanning many months. For FEAT Award I’d like the audience to be thinking, “Hey, I could do something like that”.” She adds that expeditions with massive budget requirements are outside of the FEAT Award realm. Instead, an uncomplicated, low-budget adventure really feels the benefit of this cash contribution.
The selected recipient, who was notified this week, sees the Award as much more than just a windfall: “This is amazing news! We appreciate the cash… and we value just the honour of receiving it”.
Meet this first FEAT Award recipient and the nine speakers on Thursday, 6 October 2011 at The Alexander Theatre in Braamfontein, at 18h30 for 19h00. Tickets are available through Computicket. Tickets are R140.00 per person. R5 from each ticket is donated to the FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
FEAT is made possible by its sponsors – Black Diamond, Capestorm, Hi-Tec and 32Gi. These companies also support adventurers, making expeditions possible. Go Multi and Getaway magazines are supportive media partners. For more information, visit the FEAT website at www.featsa.co.za. Photos and videos of talks from the two previous FEAT events can be viewed online.
QUICK SUMMARY
FEAT
What: An evening of seven-minute talks by nine speakers in the expedition and adventure sports genres. A list of speakers, their talk topics and bios is available on the FEAT website.
Date: Thursday, 6 October 2011
Venue: The Alexander Theatre, 36 Stiemens Str, Braamfontein, Jo’burg
Secure, undercover parking available in the Liberty Life building (corner Ameshof and Melle Streets). Entrance on Melle Str. R10.00 fee. Limited on-street parking is available outside the theatre. Security guards employed by FEAT will be on Stiemens and Melle streets, around the theatre, from 18h00 for peace of mind.
Time: Theatre doors open at 18h30. Start at 19h00
Tickets: R140.00. Available through Computicket.
Speakers include: Andy de Klerk, Craig Egberink, Gerard Finnemore, Grant Baker, Kim van Kets, Kobus Bresler, Marian Penso, Ross Tucker and Simon Gear speaking on the topics of opening climbing routes, endurance horse racing, post-expedition psychology, big-wave surfing, multidiscipline circumnavigation, microadventures, mountain bike expedition, endurance sports science and adventure meteorology. The list of speakers, their talk topics and bios is available on the FEAT website.
Website: www.featsa.co.za