A FESTIVAL OF IDEAS, ART + MUSIC AND ACTIONS FOR THE OCEAN
‘Science in your swimmers’ will be on offer at the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival at Bondi, scheduled for 12 & 13 March, 2022 with the public invited to ‘Dive In’ to a jam-packed weekend of free festive activities.
Festival goers can swim through a Crayweed forest in the Icebergs pool, dance to ocean-loving bands in Bondi Park, see inspired art made from ocean litter, drive underwater drones or attend the ocean lab workshops. Bondi Park hosts a market showcasing ocean friendly products plus Trashion Parades on Saturday and a free outdoor film screening of Girls Can’t Surf beachside on Saturday night.
Staged across Bondi Beach from the famous Icebergs Pool to the beachfront and North Bondi rockpool there is something on offer to every age. Here are the festival activities.
Sea Science @ Bondi Icebergs: March 11 – 13. Book free access.
The Sydney Institute of Marine Science showcases pioneering ocean restoration projects Operation Crayweed and Living Seawalls in the Icebergs Pool. Visitors can swim through the Crayweed Forest and over a Living Seawall display plus meet marine scientists 10am – 4pm daily. Free ticket here.
Trashion Parades: March 12 – 1pm and 2.30pm – Bondi Park
It is hard to ignore ocean trash when it gets up and walks. Marina DeBris has devoted herself to putting marine pollution in the public’s face creating wearable art – Trashion.
See parades at 1pm and 2.30pm on Saturday March 12 at the Festival Hub in Bondi Park.
Live Music: March 12 & 13 from 1pm, Bondi Park Sunshine Stage
The solar powered Sunshine Stage is the perfect place to chill out. We have some awesome live music lined up across the whole weekend. Ocean lover Billy Otto and local indie artists Erthlings join Chase Zera on Saturday and Declan Kelly, ocean angel Jane Walker and south coast rockers Pacific Avenue on Sunday. Live and free.
Girls Can’t Surf film screening: March 12 – 7pm, Bondi Park
Bondi’s only world champion surfer Pauline Menzcer will attend this film screening focused on the hard-fought emergence of women into the professional surfing world during the 1980’s. Filmmakers Chris Nelius and Michaela Perske will launch a campaign to create a statue of Pauline for Bondi. It’s free, BYO beach towel.
Science in your Swimmers Talks: March 12 & 13,10am -1pm, Sunshine Stage
Beachgoers can literally turn-up in their swimmers to hear from scientists and pioneers in ocean sustainability. Inspirational talks include topics like ‘Gone Troppo’, the’ Future of our Reefs’, ‘Ancient Wisdom Modern Science’, ‘Big Fascinating Giants of the Sea’ and ‘Surfing toward Sustainability’ features surfer and environmentalist Pacha Light.
Litterarty Exhibition: 11 – 13 March, 10am – 4pm – Bondi Surf Club
Showcasing the impact of rubbish on the oceans, school kids were invited to repurpose rubbish into prize-winning artworks. The winning works will be on display in the surf club daily. See the young talent that has turned trash into treasure!
The Ocean Lab workshops: March 12 & 13 – 10 am – 4 pm – Bondi Park
Funded by Inspiring Australia and curated by Fizzics Education, The Ocean Lab free program includes fascinating topics like ‘Bubble Bubble, Oil and Trouble’ and ‘The Tooth about Sharks’ plus Recycled Pop-up Play sessions and a chance to meet Plastic Free Boy for a youth led chat about Plan B for the sea. Just turn up to the Ocean Lab.
Festival Market: March 12, 10am – 5pm & March 13, 10am – 4pm, Bondi Park
The Festival Market is a curated showcase of innovative products and projects that don’t cost the earth and are designed to specifically help protect or enhance our ocean environment and wildlife. A particular focus is on products that recycle, re-use or reduce plastic waste getting into our ocean.
Sunrise Yoga for the Sea: March 12, 7.30am – 9am – Bondi Beach
Start your ocean festival experience with a sun-up mindful blue yoga for the sea with Body Mind Life instructor Christian Ralston. This expansive yoga and meditation session will flow with the theme of water. Join us for free in front of the Bondi Pavilion with your towel or mat. You can register in advance here
Ocean Lovers Lap: March 12 9am – 11am
Registered swimmers will jump into Bondi Bay from Icebergs at 9am to tackle the Ocean Lovers Lap swim of the bay and race back for the prize draw where the winner gets a Volvo electric for a week. And all participants get to keep the Piping Hot sponsor swimmers supplied, which are totally ocean friendly.
Big Bondi Beach Clean: March 12, 10 am – 11 am
Meet outside the Bondi Surf Club to participate in a collective beach clean coordinated by Take 3 for the Sea. Open to everyone, it’s a great opportunity to learn about the harmful impact of litter on the ocean. Groups & individuals welcome. Registration opens at 9.30am.
Underwater Drone Tours: March 12 & 13, 10 am – 2 pm
Dive below the Bondi waves without getting wet thanks to the Australian National Maritime Museum’s cool underwater drones! Explore the ocean environment of North Bondi and learn about this unique marine ecosystem. Register for free at the Info Tent.
Paint and Splash: March 10, 7pm – 9pm
Dive in to an immersive painting experience with local artist, Han Renshaw in an ocean themed ‘Paint and Splash’ night, at Bondi’s HIP Italo House. This two hour masterclass, incudes pizza and wine and all the art supplies. Supporting Underwater Earth charity. Ticketed here.
Check out other activities like a taste of Freediving and more. See the website for details and programs, including local venues offering ocean lovers festival specials.
