The end-of-year holiday season is just around the corner, and there’s no better destination than the Sapphire Coast in KwaZulu-Natal. This year, alongside the popular Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme, Amanzimtoti Main Beach will host the Water Sweets ’24 games, an inclusive programme for disabled holidaymakers – all free of charge!
“We are delighted to continue expanding our inclusive tourism offering with the launch of the Water Sweets ’24 games hosted by Wheels on Waves in conjunction with Sapphire Coast Tourism,” commented Romy Wenzel of Sapphire Coast Tourism. “This will run in conjunction with our popular Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme which includes free seaside games, giveaways, and activities for our Sapphire Coast visitors. It’s set to be a fantastic festive season!”
Reece Smith (18) of Rolling with Reece is working with his father, Wesley (43) to make Amanzimtoti an international destination for disabled visitors. Reece, himself a quadriplegic with a love for the ocean, believes that everyone should have access to this incredible resource. In collaboration with the municipality and other stakeholders, the father-and-son team are raising funds to buy Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchairs through their Wheels on Waves programme, to assist getting visitors with limitations into the water.
The Water Sweets ’24 games, running at Amanzimtoti Main Beach, from 20 to 23 December 2024, will encourage able-bodied and disabled holidaymakers with the opportunity to engage in beach activities together. Some of the activities planned include:
· Beach arm golf
· Fishing
· Seated volleyball
· Sports quiz
Also on the programme is Danito, named after the inspirational young man who is completely blind yet worked hard to compete in the Midmar Mile just six months after first entering the water. The game involves being blindfolded and throwing a hacky sack onto a scoreboard. The person with the highest score after three throws wins.
The Water Sweets ’24 games will conclude on the final day with a Santa Surprise Visit, a festive closing ceremony and an afterparty on the beach!
“Inclusive tourism is a major growth market with approximately 10% of the global population experiencing some form of disability,” explained Wesley Smith. “Inclusive tourism is more than just a ramp and parking near the entrance. Through the Water Sweets ’24 games, we want to do so much more to make this holiday enjoyable for the disabled person.”
The Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme will run alongside the Water Sweets Games from 20 to 23 December, and pick up again from 27 to 31 December on Amanzimtoti Main Beach. Holidaymakers will enjoy fun beach Olympics, family-friendly games, music, prizes, and great giveaways.
Promotional and sponsorship opportunities
Sapphire Coast Tourism is inviting local businesses and organisations to take advantage of this prime time by participating in the Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme and Water Sweets ’24 games. With a captive audience, this is a great platform for companies to offer promotional items and activities directly to holidaymakers and locals daily.
Local businesses and registered tourism members are also encouraged to supply any promotional items, hampers, prizes, or vouchers as giveaways for beachgoers who are participating in the holiday campaign. Corporates are welcome to contact Sapphire Coast Tourism about large brand promotions or activations for a daily fee to reserve a beach space.
There are also lots of great sponsorship opportunities at the Water Sweets ’24 games for community-minded businesses looking to make a positive impact this festive season.
Title Sponsor
Cost: R48 000
This includes naming rights for the Water Sweets ’24 games and extensive marketing opportunities leading up to, throughout, and after the event.
Beach Arm Golf Sponsor
Cost: R10 000
Be one of the Water Sweets ’24 games and brand a Beach Arm Golf hole. This includes featuring your logo on marketing material, branding on the day, and more.
All sponsors are to contact Sapphire Coast Tourism ahead of the programme to arrange sponsorship. For more information contact Romy Wenzel on 083 733 6468 or romywenzel@gmail.com or info@sapphirecoasttourism.co.za.
Sapphire Coast tourist sites and activities
Outside of the Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme and Water Sweets ’24 games, there is so much to see and do on the Sapphire Coast!
- Amanzimtoti Main Beach which includes fun slides at Splash Water World, a variety of restaurants, takeaways, and shops with local traders selling beautiful crafts and curios along the promenade.
- Wheels on Waves ensure accessible tourism at Amanzimtoti Main Beach with disabled-friendly facilities such as the Sandcruiser floating chair. This service is offered free of charge but bookings are essential – contact Wesley Smith on 082 802 1348 or Reece on 066 439 8287 or email rollingwithreece@gmail.com.
- Charter boats for a day of deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, shark cage diving and/or snorkelling at Aliwal Shoal, a world-renowned dive site.
- Horse rides on the beach with experienced guides catering for a range of abilities.
- Crocworld Conservation Centre where the oldest known Nile crocodile in captivity lives – the world-famous Henry, as well as the newly launched aerial zipline Jikaleza Outdoor Adventures.
- Illovo River is another top spot for water sports, fishing, birding, and picnics.
- Umkomaas Golf Club or Amanzimtoti Country Club for a round on the 18-hole course or a drink or meal at the club.
- Nature walks, hikes and birdwatching are available with Nungwane Waterfalls in the heart of Umbululu a great attraction for nature lovers, whether experienced on horseback, 4×4, or mountain bike.
Important travel information
We would like to alert motorists visiting the KZN South Coast to the N2 South Detour Routes due to the closure of the Ezimbokodweni Bridge.
Route 1:
After the old airport, stay left and take Exit 149 onto Prospecton Road (R102).
Turn left at the intersection and continue along Prospecton Road for about 5km, passing the Joyner Road intersection.
Stay on Prospecton Road as it becomes Andrew Zondo Road.
Keep straight for about 4km, passing the Moss Kolnik Drive intersection.
After roughly 100m, turn right to rejoin the N2 south.
OR
Route 2:
Turn right onto Joyner Road, continuing into Jeffels Road.
At the intersection, turn left onto Mfundi Mngadi Road (M35).
Continue for 6.6km, then turn left onto Wanda Cele Road.
After 650m, turn left into Moss Kolnik Drive.
Follow Moss Kolnik Drive for about 2.4km, then turn right onto Kingsway Road (R102).
Keep right and after 100m, take the N2 onramp.
For more information about the Sapphire Coast, visit www.sapphirecoasttourism.co.za or the Sapphire Coast Tourism Facebook page.