Debut FEAT celebrates adventure

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Wednesday, 08 September 2010 08:41

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Life's an adventure. Follow your FEAT

feat – noun, a noteworthy or extraordinary act or achievement, usually displaying boldness or skill
It’s only four weeks until FEAT 2010 debuts in Johannesburg. FEAT (Fascinating Expedition & Adventure Talks) is one high-octane event where presentation topics from celebrated outdoor adventurers include tales of adventure, practical advice on sponsorships, technology and making a career from adventure.
“Although the era of classic expeditions, when ‘adventurer’ was a conventional career title and expeditions to open trade routes and discover new lands were funded by King and country, is long gone, the need for adventure still exists,” says FEAT director, Lisa de Speville. Yet few South African adventurers have the providence to write ‘adventurer’ in the occupation block on forms; most work ‘two jobs’, juggling full-time employment and families with expedition planning and preparation.

Traditional components of an expedition are sponsorships, food, water, equipment, clothing and physical preparation. “But,” de Speville says, “adventurers don’t just go for months into the great unknown; they have to post daily blogs, upload photos, speak to radio stations via satellite phone and put video clips on YouTube. When they get home they deliver presentations to sponsors, companies, clubs and schools.” She explains that expeditions may include a videographer to capture the journey for a documentary; book deals, which require months of writing post-expedition, may also be on the table. Causes and charities partnered to an expedition add to the adventurer’s responsibilities and obligations. An expedition doesn’t end when the physical objective is achieved.

The theme of making a career of being an adventurer will be presented at FEAT by Alex Harris, an experienced mountaineer and polar adventurer. Julian Dallamore, a corporate Brand Manager, touches on the sponsorship of expeditions, while adventurer Ray Chaplin discusses media communication technology for expeditions.

GENERIC CONTENT BELOW.

Speakers at the inaugural FEAT evening are Alex Harris, Andrew Kellet, Cobus van Zyl, Darron Raw, Julian Dallamore, Kyle Meenehan, Mandy Ramsden, Marianne Schwankhart, Mike Blyth, Peter van Kets, Pierre Carter and Ray Chaplin. Their presentation topics cover the disciplines of mountaineering, kayaking (river and sea), big wall rock climbing, paragliding, adventure films, ocean rowing, sponsorships, adventure racing, ultra-distance mountain running and long-distance walking.

FEAT celebrated the achievements of South African adventurers, bringing their outdoor experiences indoors. FEAT is the ultimate armchair adventure experience.

The inaugural FEAT event will be held in Jo’burg on Thursday, 7 October 2010, at the Wits Theatre in Braamfontein. Tickets are only available pre-event through Computicket.