The 11th Australia Tahiti Rendezvous was held across Thursday June 20 and Friday June 21 at Marina Taina in Papeete, Tahiti. The occasion provided an excellent platform for the Australians to educate the yachts currently in Tahiti on their cruising options, refit and maintenance facilities and service providers as they continue their journey west in the South Pacific. A total of 20 vessels were educated over the week with captains and crew alike grateful for the hospitality.

David Good, CEO, Superyacht Australia said “As often the first stop for vessels after entering the South Pacific, French Polynesia is one of the primary reasons for vessels to come to the region. The Tahiti Rendezvous provides a platform for Superyacht Australia members to connect with the visiting superyachts and to encourage them to continue West, extending their stay in Asia Pacific.”

Good added “We are excited to have hosted the latest Tahiti Rendezvous only weeks before they host the Paris Olympics surfing events. We hope this worldwide coverage will highlight their natural and cultural beauty; encouraging more visitation to the region in future years. It’s rewarding working alongside Tahiti industry colleagues to help attract and support vessels exploring this stunning region.”

Traditional Tahitian Dancers performance courtesy of Tahiti Tourism

The event kicked off on Thursday with a ‘Morning Tea Expo’ at Yellow Fin, followed by the Rivergate Marina & Shipyard’s VIP Captains’ Lunch. The lunch had a total of 30 attendees, including six superyacht captains, who took the opportunity to be updated on the latest developments in the Australian superyacht industry and learn more about why Australia is an ideal charter destination while cruising the South Pacific.

Table at the Rivergate Marina & Shipyard Captain’s Lunch, mix of Aussie members, local Tahitian industry and superyacht Captains

Steve Fisher, Director of International Business, Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, said, “It is an amazing opportunity to connect with new friends and old in Tahiti. For the Australian companies that attend it allows us to connect with new yachts that are entering the Pacific and also check-in with those that have just left our shores and are heading East.

Captain’s Lunch Steve Fisher, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard and Tehani Fiedler-Valenta, Tahiti Crew

It’s exciting to be able to host the events such as Rivergate’s Captain’s Lunch and the Networking party that showcase the strengths of the Australian Yachting industry. Conversations with captain’s and crew are always positive and encouraging, with many of them excited to visit the cruising grounds and world-class superyacht facilities which Australia has to offer.

It’s also encouraging to see such close relationships with Companies across the Pacific, to have so many local Tahitian agents and businesses participating is incredibly important. From helping host the event to donating prizes for the crew it shows the strength of the industry across the region.

Australian attendees at BBQ Cooking Competition

Every year the event goes from strength to strength, to be able to consistently showcase the Australian industry is incredibly important and speaks volumes for the future of this annual event and the industry itself.”

Many of the yachts indicated they were continuing their journey west with Fiji becoming an increasingly popular cruising destination followed by Australia later in the year.

The Friday evening’s events began with Aussie BBQ cooking competition, which highlighted the talents of five competing crews. Participating vessels included MY Babac, MY Helios 3, MY ZeXplorer, SY Legend and MY V6.

Judges scoring MY Babac at the BBQ Cooking Competition

Each team utilised Australian beef and spices to conjure up the best dish, impressing a panel of four judges comprised of Carrier Carter (Carter Marine Agencies), Michaela Claes (Pantaenius Australia), Brett James (Southport Yacht Club) and Duncan Curnow (Quality Marine Clothing). The coveted first place in the cooking competition was secured by MY Helios 3 and Chef Chris whose three-course dish with accompanying cocktails blew the judges away. The Aussie dress up theme is always a hit with the crew with My ZeXplorer winning ‘Best Dressed’ with their Australian Open Tennis Outfits and table presentation.

Best Dressed Crew MY ZeXplorer dressed as ‘Australian Open Tennis’ with Duncan Curnow, Quality Marine Clothing

The BBQ Cooking Competition transitioned into the now infamous networking Dock Party with all crews mingling, together with both the Tahitian and Australian industry representatives. The presentations and festivities were elevated with a traditional Tahitian dance performance organised by Tahiti Tourism, accompanied by playful music from a local DJ.

Networking Party with Alex Binks, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard and Mark Riddell, Southport Yacht Club

Duncan Curnow, Sales & Marketing Director of Quality Marine Clothing, expressed his delight, saying, “Once again a fantastic Australian Tahitian Rendezvous – with crew and sponsors having a great time. Terrific opportunity to get up and close to these amazing global travellers and encourage them to our shores.”

Superyacht Australia extends its appreciation to Rivergate Marina & Shipyard for sponsoring the Captain’s Lunch. Furthermore, Superyacht Australia would like to thank the Australian businesses in attendance, including Carter Marine Agencies, Quality Marine Clothing, Southport Yacht Club, The International SeaKeepers Society, The Yard Brisbane, Anchors and Dove, Nawi Island Marina and Pantaenius Yacht Insurance.

Special recognition is also given to the local superyacht industry in Tahiti, whose significant contributions have impacted the overall success of the event. Tehani Fiedler-Valenta, owner of Tahiti Crew; Tahiti Ocean, Tahiti Yacht Support, and Seal Superyachts Tahiti, as well as Manoa from Tahiti Tourism, deserve a special mention for their exceptional support throughout this year’s festivities.

www.superyacht-australia.com