The 7th Annual Australia Tahiti Rendezvous that took place on 21st June at Marina Taina, Papeete was a great success with a 26% increase in boats and participants from the previous year’s event.

“With a total of 36 guests including nine captains all eager to partake and receive updates on what is happening in the Australian superyacht industry and many boats confirming their itineraries to visit Australia over the next 12-24 months we were extremely pleased with the outcome,” said CEO of Superyacht Australia, David Good.

“The event attracted a record number of captains and crew from superyachts cruising and chartering in the region, in order to enjoy the best of Australian hospitality. All size vessels visiting Tahiti were encouraged to attend, where they could learn firsthand from our Australian businesses why our suppliers are the best in the South Pacific and how our maintenance and refit facilities are some of the best in the world. The networking was well regarded with Australian companies forming new ties and strengthening old ones,” continued David.

Morning Tea Aussie Expo at LÍnstant Present

The event commenced with of a Morning Tea Expo at L’Ínstand Present and was followed by the Rivergate Marina & Shipyard’s VIP Captain’s Lunch, Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef BBQ Cooking Competition and The Yard Brisbane Networking Party along with a “best dressed” contest providing a day of events and networking opportunities aplenty.

Craig De Wit (PNGYS) and Byron Rabone (Rabone Systems) at the Rivergate Marina & Shipyard VIP Captain’s Lunch

Steve Fisher, Director of International Business at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard said “Friday’s 7th annual Australia Tahiti Rendezvous was another ‘not to be missed event’ with a record number of boats attending. The Rivergate Marina and Shipyard VIP Captain’s Lunch was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to speak to captains and crew about their future cruising plans to Australia. This event is always an excellent opportunity for members of the Australian Superyacht Industry to build and strengthen relationships with Tahitian colleagues, Tahiti Tourism and Tahiti agents, while connecting with captains that are in Tahiti. Rivergate is a proud sponsor of the VIP Captain’s Lunch – we look forward to next year.”

Rivergate Marina & Shipyard’s VIP Captains Lunch

The Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef Crew BBQ Cooking Competition, saw ten crews participating making the competition fierce. Australian ingredients and steaks were delivered to the vessels, with three elements being a compulsory inclusion in the recipes along with a secret Tahitian Ingredient, chosen out of a bag by each chef!” Defending champions MY Silentworld were put under pressure from a variety of new crews, with expert judges Joanne Drake, Carrie Carter, Pat McLoughlin and David Good critiquing flavor, presentation and overall creativity.

Judging the SYGGBR Aussie BBQ Cooking Competition with Pat McLoughlin (Australian Superyacht Services), Joanne Drake (SuperYacht Group Great Barrier Reef), David Good (Superyacht Australia) and Carrie Carter (Carter Marine Agencies)

Joanne Drake, Manager of the Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef (SYGGBR) said, “The SuperYacht Group Great Barrier Reef were extremely pleased to be the major sponsors of the famous Australian Tahiti Superyacht Rendezvous BBQ Competition. There were only a matter of points separating the winner with second and third place however the winner was SY Imagine as they really stood out with Chef Matteo’s creations (including frozen mango cocktails served by the stewardesses and an exquisite Tim-Tam dessert), closely followed by SY Adix – Chef Rory, then SY Hemisphere – Chef Michael also serving up their own “Hemis-beer” and Tim-Tam ice cream. A special shout-out to Chef Dan of MY Northland for making use of “all” of the many provided Aussie ingredients resulting in a wonderful taste sensation for the judges!”

Chef and Crew from SY Ningaloo serving up their BBQ meal to be judged with their secret Tahitian ingredient – avocado!

Chef Joel from MY Silentworld, defending Champion from the 2018 Australia Tahiti Rendezvous.

The Yard Brisbane Networking Party involved Mark Phelps International Development Manager, Nick McGuire Business Development Manager and Vaughan Poynter Refit Coordinator of the Yard Brisbane running a masterclass in Australian bar hospitality. Nick said “The opportunity to connect with captains and crew on a personal and professional level is invaluable. Added to this is the professional and super impressive promotion of Australian marine facilities and services in a growing Superyacht port such as Tahiti. The decision for us to sponsor the bar for the Crew Party was a good one. We were able to meet and chat with nearly everyone who attended, and we feel the profile achieved through this event was fantastic. Overall it was lots of fun and a very successful event for us with several vessels in play for yard periods in the next 6 months.”

The contest for best dressed in 2019 was hotly contested, with four costumes standing out and receiving prizes. The two best included the VB 6-Pack from SY Adix and the Aussie Lifeguards from SY Ningaloo. Highly commended went to My Silentworld for their tropical dress-up and SY Seabreeze for creating a hills hoist on a shoestring budget.

The day’s events were added to with a traditional Tahitian dance performance organised by Tahiti Tourism and a local band for the night’s festivities.

Winners of the Best Dressed from SY Adix with the 6-pack of Aussie VBs.

Dancers performed a traditional Tahitian Dance at the end of the BBQ formalities, to get the Networking Party kick started!

“Superyacht Australia would not have been able to put this event on without the support of key businesses in the superyacht industry. Thank you to the event’s sponsors, Australian International Marine Export Group, Superyacht Australia, Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef, The Yard Brisbane and event supporters, International Yacht Paint & AwlGrip, Quality Marine Clothing, Rabone Systems, Cater Marine Agencies, Australian Superyacht Services and Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard. I would also like to acknowledge the local superyacht industry in Tahiti who contribute significantly to the overall success of the event, Tehani Fiedler-Valenta, owner of Tahiti Crew, Tahiti Ocean, Tahiti Yacht Support and Seal Superyachts Tahiti”, said David Good in acknowledgment and appreciation of the Rendezvous’ supporters.

Crew and captains expressed their gratitude for the hospitality of the Australians and look forward to the next Rendezvous. Superyacht Australia advises after the success of the event in 2019, the 8th Rendezvous will run in Tahiti on Friday 19 June, 2020.