With water restrictions playing havoc on levels in all of our dams (and in your pool), and the beach but a distant dream if you live inland, then do yourself a favour and mosey on down to the Vaal River in Vereeniging where the river is flowing, as are the cocktails, where water sports abound for you and the family to enjoy this festive season – heck, any season!
Dotted along the banks of the Vaal River you will find hotels, ‘watering holes’, restaurants, campsites and houses to rent – a picture-perfect place for your end-of-year holiday with plenty of activities to keep mom, dad, gran, the dog and the kids entertained.
A most recent addition to this rather infamous strip of paradise is the new river cruiser operated by Aqua Lounge Cruises, resident at BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal, that you can hire for an event, or hop onto for a sunset cruise, a celebration or an afternoon meander. General Manager at BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal, Craig Swart, is delighted to have the boat based at the hotel so that guests and visitors can enjoy priority service and catering, and an overall good time on the river.
Owners of Aqua Lounge Cruises, Darryl Zaayman and Morne de Witt wanted to make the experience of river cruising available to everyone in the local community and being the closest operator to Johannesburg serves as a major advantage. Morne adds, “Absolutely anyone looking to enjoy an amazing experience on the Vaal River is welcome – with a capacity to take up to 50 guests we can arrange any event from high teas to bachelor parties, team-building and celebrations.”
Although the perception is that river cruising is seasonal and mainly only suitable for enjoyment in summer, Aqua Lounge can create wonderfully intimate functions and events in winter and as the cruiser is an all-weather vessel it can be closed up and heated for an awesome day or night out on the river.
Cruising not exhilarating enough for you? Then why not try your hand at parasailing or barefoot water-skiing? Darryl adds, “Our water sports section is the most extensive in South Africa – not only are we the only commercial jet pack operator, we also offer Lift Jet board flights, tube and speedboat rides, water-skiing and wake-boarding.” Aqua Lounge Cruises upholds the highest of safety standards and are certified and compliant with all SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) regulations, so passengers and partakers can be assured that their time on the river will be as safe and enjoyable as possible.
The Vaal River is such a gem and people often overlook the beauty and scenery it has to offer, not to mention the entertainment element when it comes to watersports and river cruises. “People always seem to make their way to Johannesburg for entertainment. We want to turn the tables and draw the Jozi crowd to the Vaal and also show the local community what they have been missing out on,” says Morne.
So, be water wise and take a trip to the Vaal – no restrictions on splashing and taking long dips!
For cruise bookings and water sports contact Darryl on 082 594 5044.
