Sharkwatch SA Blog

SATSA YOUTH AND ADVENTURE CONFERENCE SHOWCASED GANSBAAI ADVENTURES AND ACCOMMODATION

Marine Dynamics was very excited to see so many tourism partners at the SATSA Green Shoots Youth and Adventure Conference held in Gansbaai, a first face to face conference in two years. The conference was held at the premises of the Marine Dynamics Academy and catered for by the Great White House. The conference provided the opportunity for businesses to reconnect, to reignite the way forward, and to feel optimistic about the future of tourism again. 


Carla Ferreira (Saltycrax Backpackers), Wilfred Chivell and Zile de Kock (Marine Dynamics), Cany Bugler (Cany B-Global Events Specialist).

The first day when most delegates arrived was dedicated to activities with delegates enjoying experiences with Marine Dynamics Shark & Whale Tours, White Shark Projects, Africanos Crocodile Experience, Fatbike Tours, Sidecar Scenic Overberg Tours, Pearly Beach Horse Trails, Overlandy Adventures Tours exploring Walker Bay Nature Reserve, and Abalone Farm Tours, in and around Gansbaai, part of the Cape Whale Coast.

Then the magic began on the first night as the Dyer Island Conservation Trust’s environmental education group, known as DEEP, sang a special welcome song. This was followed by marimbas, trumpets, and dancers of the Field Band Foundation. Thereafter, the 2,5 days provided the delegates opportunity to introduce their businesses, to enjoy some dedicated presentations geared towards digitising tourism, the self-development of youth, and partnering for growth. 


DEEP students sang a welcome song with educator Pinkey Ngewu, Dyer Island Conservation Trust.


Field Band Foundation at Marine Dynamics Academy.


Dancing into the sunset with the Field Band Foundation.

“It was an honour to host these tourism delegates that made it through the toughest time in history for tourism and we want to thank the SATSA Youth and Adventure chapter for allowing us to host this national conference.  Thank you for celebrating Gansbaai’s 100-year birthday with us and discovering our beautiful town and people,” said Marine Dynamics Marketing Manager, Zile de Kock.

The last evening, Anton Goosen, who now resides in Gansbaai, shared a few songs and had everyone singing along to Wie Maak vir Gansbaai lekker. 


Singer Anton Goosen.


Chriss Leggatt (Eden Adventures), Johan Radcliffe(Dirty Boots), Esna Theron (Dirty Boots).

CEO of Marine Dynamics, Wilfred Chivell, was delighted to see some old and new faces, “Tourism partnerships are critical and we felt privileged to be able to host everyone here and that we could showcase Gansbaai. We truly appreciate all the companies that provided adventure experiences, as well as accommodation establishments that provided preferential rates for delegates. This conference was done on minimal to no budget and our team really pulled off a fantastic event. There was a real sense of things feeling a little more like a new normal for tourism and we look forward to the future.”

Special Thanks to the accommodation establishments that offered preferential rates for our tourism partners:
Great White House Cottages and Self-Catering Units, After 8, Aire Del Mar, Amazing Grace, Gansbaai Boarding Lodge, Grootbos, Oom Piet Akkommodasie en Tourist Lodge, Saxon Lodge, Sea Star Lodge, Strandkloof, The Round House, Vyfer 100, Whalesong Lodge, White Shark Lodge, Zeezicht.