Be sure to gobble an oyster or two, because with all the sporting activities happening in and around Knysna from 9 to 18 July, you will need all those fantastic nutrients to keep up your stamina during the 2021 Knysna Oyster Festival.
“Knysna and the surrounding area is a sports paradise throughout the year,” said Festival Coordinator Andrew Finn. “Our unique, natural tracks and waterways are all available to visitors during this year’s Knysna Oyster Festival, with many extra-high octane activities to challenge guests and locals in between sampling the magnitude of leisure offerings to enjoy.”
Visit Knysna General Manager Colleen Durant confirmed the variety of sporting activities on offer during the festival. “The festival has always been known for not only its amazing food and wine, but the popular running and cycling races of both weekends,” she explained. “This year sees the addition of a number of different sporting disciplines, offering challenges to competitive athletes and, more importantly, fun outings for families and friends. More activities are listed as they are confirmed, so please keep an eye on the website for updates.”
The Knysna Forest Virtual run takes place on the 10th and 11th July. The virtual aspect of the race invites runners to complete their routes in Knysna itself. An option of the forest routes start and finish at The Farm on Old Cape Road, and the Knysna flat route loops through the town itself, with its beginning and end at Knysna Deli on Main Road. Clean your clubs and tee up for Simola Night Golf, also on the 10th. Players will walk Simola’s front nine holes and play with flashing balls and lit greens and enjoy a wine, craft gin and craft beer tasting.
The Houtkapper Trail Run takes place in Knysna’s Goudveld forest on the 11th. Offering three routes of varying lengths and difficulty, runners will pass through Krisjan-se-nek (where Daleen Mathee’s ashes were scattered), the Daleen Mathee memorial and the site of the 880 year old Yellowwood tree known as the Daleen Mathee Big Tree.
Get your toes in the sand on the 12th and take part in the B2B Beach Run. Walk or run on one of South Africa’s most stunning beaches while having fun and contributing to the local NSRI station. Choose between 5km or 10km and start from either Brenton-on-Sea or Buffalo Bay. Register on the day at either beach between 7h30 and 8h00. Athletics SWD are hosting three running events at the Loerie Park sport field the next day, on the 13th. Join in the cross country relay, street mile or 5km fun run.
The Urban X Trail Run and Obstacle Course is a fun trail run taking place at Blackwaters River Lodge on the 13th and 14th July. Starting at 09h00 with 10 easy obstacles, none of which require excessive upper body strength, this is a fun activity for anyone to enjoy. The Knysna X Trail Series takes place at the Pezula Championship Golf Course on the 15th and 16th, with trail running adventures for everyone in any of the Kidz, Lite, Full or Pro categories.
On the 16th, the Sea-2-Tower trail runners start off at sea level, wind up through the Knysna Forest and climb a 6m steel ladder into the forest fire tower where forest rangers and spectacular views over the surrounding forest, mountains and valleys will greet finishers. A choice of three distances will take runners from Thesen Island to the Buffelsnek fire tower.
The Knysna Cycle Tour will once again challenge mountain bike riders on 17 July, and road racers on 18 July. Both races are provisionally set to kick off with staggered starts, with both the 50km road and 50km MTB races also available as virtual courses on the online platform Rouvy. Entries to the physical rides close at the end of June, and registration will take place on the 16 July. Riders who enter on Rouvy will have a free month’s worth of riding on the online platform. Riders are also invited to join the tour’s Strava group.
The Knysna Yacht Club Sailing Regatta for small sailing boat classes takes place on the 17th from 14h00 to 17h00, while the Sedgefield Tennis Club hosts a fun round robin on the same day from 11h00. Paddlers can also take to the water on the 18th for the Harbour to Heads canoe race from the Knysna Yacht Club to The Heads and back.
Knysna Executive Mayor Elrick van Aswegen emphasised that the entire greater Knysna area would be the festival venue this year. “This is a festival of our town and our area,” he said. “With these fantastic sporting activities taking place throughout the region, it is the perfect opportunity to experience our natural area and the beauty of our forests, lagoons and beaches. We are open and ready for the Knysna Oyster Festival. Are you?”
Guests will be delighted to find that accommodation in the area has also been discounted during this period, Finn concluded. “We know that everyone is craving a bit of a getaway so, take advantage of great accommodation specials and take a break in Knysna. Click the Stay-button to find all of these specials at www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za.”
Contacts:
Knysna Virtual Forest Marathon – Wayne Kidd, kmc@telkomsa.net, https://knysnamarathonclub.com/forest-marathon/.
Simola Night Golf Festival – Scott Edkins, 0836477997, scott@ascottours.co.za.
Houtkapper Trail Run – Gavin/Leon, 0835027935, houtkappertrailrun@gmail.com.
B2B Beach Run – Sean Sandiford, 0736132985, sean@wannado.co.za.
Athletics SWD running events – 0836178325, manager@aswd.co.za.
Urban X Trail Run and Obstacle Course – Coyote Events, 0744562253, bel.hodgson113@gmail.com.
Knysna X Trail Series – https://knysnaxse.co.za/2020/03/09/winter-run/.
Sea 2 Tower Trail Run – Sean Sandiford, 0736132985, sean@wannado.co.za.
The Knysna Cycle Tour – 0443827500, info@knysnacycle.co.za, http://knysnacycle.co.za/.
The Knysna Yacht Club Sailing Regatta – 0443825724, secretary@knysnayachtclub.com.
Tennis Round Robin – Bruce Schulze, 0443431719, calrossie@axemail.co.za.
Harbour to Heads Canoe Race – 0443825724, secretary@knysnayachtclub.com.
www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za has all the details on accommodation and activity specials, as well as the growing calendar and entry/ticket information. Check it regularly for updates.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @KnysnaOysterFestival.
Contact Festival Coordinator Andrew Finn on email info@knysnaoysterfestival.co.za for more information, or call 0443825510.
#knysnaoysterfestival #knysnaoysterfestival2021 #KOF2021 #kof #stayworkplay #knysna #visitknysna #wfk #workfromknysna
