Auction Raises the Bar

AUCTIONEER EXTRAORINAIRE: Rob van Vuuren cajoled with comedic wit. Photo Leah Rolando

The previous R300,000 last year was easily eclipsed by the 10 art surfboards of the 2017 edition, raising a total of R717,000. In addition, R50,000 was the winning bid for a one-of-a-kind Nelson Mandela surfboard signed by all the professional surfers on the WSL elite world tour and R5,000 for a wooden skateboard by Kingdom, who had lazer cut the Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival artwork into the deck.

More than 300 people enjoyed the auction with the open spaced restaurant bar at Jack Black Brewery offering the perfect space to display the artwork while comedian Rob van Vuuren marched up and down the stage, loosening wallets with his cajoling, comedic wit, while Spike from Wavescape took turns in holding up the artboards for the audience to covet.

CROWD FUNDING: Part of an estimated 250 people at the auction. Photo Leah Rolando

All 10 surfboards for the auction were identical. Shaped by York Surfboards in Muizenberg, this year they are replicas of what has become known as the mini-Simmons: wide, short surfboards with a rounded nose and cut-off tail in the 1950s style of legendary Californian shaper Bob Simmons.

Each board has been expertly glassed and polished to encase the artwork within a liquidly transparent sheen. At least five bidders from overseas used proxy representatives to bid on their behalf, while art collectors and other buyers on the floor jostled with a new vigour this year to get their prize.

One buyer came out with a distinct strategy. When Beezy Bailey's board appeared on stage, she dispensed with the starting bid of R10,000 and slow buildup characterised by Jake Aikman's board (R80,000) and Kistin Sims (R130,000) and swooped in at a first bid of R100,000. Her stunned adversaries kept silent, and her clever strategy paid off.

HEY YOU! Van Vuuren was on fire. Isn't that what your name means Rob? Photo Leah Rolando

The Bids - in order they were auctioned
Jake Aikman R80 000
Kirsten Sims R130 000
Marti Lund and Chris Auret R40 000
Andrzej Urbanski R61 000
Alexis Aronson R40 000
Liza Grobler R25 000
Beezy Bailey R100 000
Jenna Barbe R61 000
Brett Murray R60 000
Lionel Smit R120 000
WSL board R50 000
Skate board R5000

FENG SHUI: A confluence of cool factors brought about a bonus year. Photo Leah Rolando

The Wavescape Art Board Project has been raising awareness and funds for ocean charities since 2005 and donate proceeds of the auction to a number of ocean charities. The project has funded several NSRI boats and helped the Shark Spotters keep surfers and sharks in mostly harmonious cohabitation, while also supporting Waves For Change, an award-winning trauma counselling programme that uses surfing as a key therapy. This year Wavescape also assists Adaptive Surfing South Africa, The Beach Co-op and the 9MilesProject.

The Wavescape Artboard Project is part of the Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival, which takes place from November 20 to December 10. It is proudly suported by Save Our Seas Foundation, PETCO, the South African PET Plastic Recycling Company, MSC – Marine Stewardship Council, Jack Black Beer, Wavescape, Wesgro & Channel24 Mami Wata, Deus, Long Beach Capital, Audio Engineering, Fuel Design and Enhance PR.

See www.wavescapefestival.com for more info
Book tickets here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/37050-wavescape-festival-2017/#/
To book for four amazing Ocean Conservations films at Cinema Nouveau, V&A Waterfront, click here https://movies.sterkinekor.co.za/browsing/

BID OR BUY: A motley collection of bidders, buyers and organisers. Photo Leah Rolando

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Get Tickets

Book tickets here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/37050-wavescape-festival-2017/#/

Facebook events here

Auction: https://www.facebook.com/events/155467161856483/
Clifton: https://www.facebook.com/events/259111064615736/
Slide Night: https://www.facebook.com/events/179162815972005/
Ocean Conservation Films: https://www.facebook.com/events/2011132279144512/

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