The Gravity Adventure Festival started 7 years ago as a kayaking event. It was timed to coincide with high water conditions on the Palmiet River near Kleinmond, about an hour from Cape Town. Additional events were added each year until the Festival reached its current format. It can now justifiably claim to be SA’s most diverse Adventure Festival and possibly one of the biggest.

The event is driven by Andrew and Marie-Louise Kellett. Andrew is Director of Gravity Adventures, a Cape Town based adventure company that runs whitewater rafting trips on the Palmiet as well as on the Orange River. Andrew is also well known as one of SA’s leading exploratory whitewater kayakers. He has made the SA freestyle team 5 times and has represented SA at 2 World Champs, in Spain and Austria. He has some significant first descents to his name, namely the rapids below Augrabies Falls and the Tsitsa and Thina Gorges in the old Transkei.

Marie-Louise has a Degree in Environmental Science and is the success behind the organisation at Gravity Adventures and the Gravity Adventure Festival. She has been involved in the Festival from the beginning and is focused on maintaining the Festival’s reputation as being innovative and leaders in Adventure Sports.

In 2008/2009 the Festival averaged 650 – 700 competitors across all the events and involved seven adventure disciplines. The Festival is well known as the Original Adventure Festival in South Africa and other events have been based on the same model. The core strength of the festival is the cross-pollination between events – the competitors have similar profiles and many enter more than one event. This allows events to feed off each other and create awareness and growth in all disciplines. The Festival is held in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, an hour from Cape Town, and opens up this amazing valley to all participants to enjoy.
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WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2010

• The Festival Hub at the Palmiet Caravan Park which was used for the first time last year was a huge success and contributed to the Festival’s substantial growth year on year. The large campsite allows more campers and excellent facilities in terms of secure camping, ablutions, as well as power outlets. This means that camping is made easy for friends and families, and you are just a minute walk from the Festival Hub complete with food stalls, huge communal tent and fully stocked bar.

• Expert driven events – market leaders in each discipline will be promoting and running individual events.

• Short Course Adventure Race - organised by top race director and competitor, Eugene Nel, was a huge success last year and will be run over extended hours to accommodate even more competitors this year.

• Kayak Sprint Race - new event format with a race against the clock, resulting in a Head to Head race for the top 4 kayakers in Brand new sponsored Fluid Detox kayaks. There will also be a Kayak Freestyle event for all skill levels on the Saturday morning.

• Trail Run format - this drew high participation last year will remain the same with the 4km, 12km and 21km courses, part of the well known Cape Winter Trail Series.

• Lucky Draws - yes, all you have to do is to enter and you stand the chance of winning and ARK Alligator and accessories worth over R7000, as well as a Fluid Detox kayak worth over R6000. Or if you are looking for luxury, you could win an amazing 2 night stay for two at the Arabella Hotel and Spa including breakfast and the Spa Rainforest Experience! Just enter and make sure you are there on Saturday night to collect your prize.