Tuesday, 19 October 2010 14:19
FEAT 2010 impresses adventure and outdoor community
Fascinating Expedition and Adventure Talks = FEAT.
Conceived by www.ar.co.za owner Lisa de Speville, the first FEAT took place at Wits Theatre, Johannesburg, on Thursday 7 October 2010.
The time-limited format of speakers talking to a specific slide-based structure really brought out the best in the speakers - because they only had seven minutes to do their thing. The messages, the images, the stories... it all made for an evening that was all of the above. Not all presenters are natural orators, but they all did really well to present their themes and captivate and inspire the audience.
The speakers were all incredible and because of the mix of topics, there really was something for everyone - and more.
As for the surprises... we had some super prizes from the event sponsors (envelopes were randomly hidden under chairs in the theatre), a top trials bike rider, Dylan Victor, who did some bouncing around on (and onto) the stage (and over people!) and a seven minute clip from Riaan Manser's new doccie about his kayak circumnavigation of Madagascar ('Madagascar Maverick').
And, as if 12 speakers and these treats were not enough, our MC for the night was none other than ultra running legend and 'King of Comrades Marathon', Bruce Fordyce. He's a great supporter of adventurous pursuits and he was blown away by the speakers.
The general concensus was, "I thought it would be good but this was unbelievable!".
There are photos on the FEAT website (www.featsa.co.za under the Media tab) and also on the FEAT Facebook page (www.facebook.com/featsa) by photographer Dion Lloyd.
There is a FEAT evening in CT early next year and then Jo'burg again in October 2011. FEATt will be an annual event and at this stage convenor Lisa de Speville is thinking of one year in Jo'burg, one year in CT. Will see how it rolls. There should be a number of FEAT Film elements for CT early next year.
Comments from attendees
“What an amazing event and what brilliant speakers. The format was perfect for keeping the pace fast and exciting.I sat spellbound listening to each dynamic presentation. It was an honour and privilege to share the stage with such special people.” – Bruce Fordyce
“Lisa you are LEGEND!! What an awesome evening, well done.” – Mark Human
“Thanks for such a well presented programme. Found that time went by too quickly and what an awesome adrenaline experience! Bruce as MC made my evening! The speakers made me realise that i have still a way to go to achieve what they have achieved...very inspirational! WELL DONE TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM!!! Looking forward to next year’s event. “ - Fernando Santos
“So very, very proud of you Lisa! What a fantastic evening, the speakers were great and I think the format worked well. Bruce was entertaining as always, good choice! Really inspirational and exciting, thanks for providing the platform for us to hear such a quality group of people speak, all in the same place, on the same evening! The fact that they are all South African should make us all very proud, and I enjoyed the fact that there were 2 women in the mix. Well done Lisa:-)” - Lauren Goulding
“Thank you for a wonderful and inspiring evening. It went like clockwork and is a great credit to you.” – Richard Doyle
"FEAT was absolutely, mind-blowingly amazing Lisa! Congratulations! Huge success. This is going to grow so wildly! Thank you for all your doing for adventurers out there! Awesome! :)" – Jolandie Rust
“All I can say is WELL DONE GIRL! AWESOME. Can't wait for next year's event.” – Leon Smit, Outdoor Freedom
“I really enjoyed last night, I was inspired to go out and adventure and explore. One thing that I was really impressed by was that all of the adventures embraced South Africa as their home and support base. Thank you for all the effort you have put in to achieve this.” – Robert Crichton
“Well done on an awesome event Lisa. Rob, our family and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We'll be there again next year.” – Amy Witherden
“Absolute pleasure Lisa. Thank you for organizing this. Not just for us speakers but for the cause of the adventure world! I love it when people stop dreaming and thinking and just go and do it - well done!” - Marianne Schwankhart
“Was a great event, think it's going to grow into something really big!” – Dion Lloyd, photographer
“Congrats on last night. Great event and concept.” - Kobus Bresler, First Ascent
“Hey Lisa – it was fantastic! Well done. It’s such a great idea. I would love to help when you need it. Just let me know. How about Durban? I had someone call me from there today asking if FEAT is going to Durbs.” – Peter van Kets
“Thanks for the awesome FEAT last night, really enjoyed it. My wife who is by no means adventurous really enjoyed it too. All fantastic speakers.” - Paul Burger
“It was awesome viewing!” – Sue Belcher
“Thank you so much for a fantastic evening, I'm sure FEAT is going to be a continued success. I, for one, feel incredibly inspired.” – Lisa Johnston, Getaway Magazine
“FEAT was awesome. Super speakers and I think the format worked really well.” – Tony Abbott
“Well apart from the technical hiccups (that you can’t really do much about), I think your biggest mistake was that the theatre was too small. Sheesh, I never thought it’s going to be this good! You really thought it through, especially by adding the little things like a surprise envelope and Dylan with his bike on stage. Wow! FEAT just worked.” – Cobus van Zyl
“Just wanted to say thank you for a really wonderful evening. I thought the format worked brilliantly and the content was wonderfully varied. Bruce held things together so well and it was a great honour to share the stage with such amazing and inspiring people. I came away a great deal richer for the experience, so thank you for twisting my arm.” – Mandy Ramsden
“My friend and I went to FEAT last night with a small school group including Mr and Mrs Townsend - not sure if you know them. We thoroughly enjoy AR. We loved the talk so much and were very motivated and inspired. Well done and thank you so much! I will definitely be there next year.” - Angela Chappel, St Mary’s school, Pretoria
"Congratulations on an awesome event!" – Tony Huglin
“The event was truly awesome! Brilliant idea, professional in every respect and riveting throughout.” – Derek Albertson
“It was amazing. The speakers were great. Bruce was very funny. I really enjoyed the trick biker. What an evening!” Alex Pope
“FEAT was AWESOME!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done for organising such a great event and running with your idea. You're an inspiration and great role model to young impressionable people like me ;-)” – Sarah Pope
“Last night Hamgray and I went to watch FEAT SA (www.featsa.co.za) As we watched some 12 of South Africa’s most inspirational adventurers I thought to myself that magnificence and greatness does not come from ease or comfort. It comes from courage. It comes from faith and it comes from taking the path less travelled.” – Lisa Steingold
“FEAT - what an awesome experience. There are some truly inspirational South Africans out there, doing unbelievable feats against all odds!” – Allyson Towle
Read more in the Nov/Dec issue of Go Multi magazine
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