Red Bull Flugtag returns to the V&A Waterfront, bringing creativity and daring to the skies on November 2.
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Red Bull Flugtag makes its highly anticipated return to the V&A Waterfront next month, with 50 teams attempting to take to the skies in their hand-built flying machines.
South Africa first hosted Flugtag in Benoni in 2002 with 55 000 spectators. The 2012 Cape Town event was one of the largest in the world with 220 000 attendees. Now, after a 13-year hiatus, the event returns to Cape Town on November 2.
While the Western Cape dominates with 32 of the 50 teams, provinces like Gauteng and KZN are represented. The Red Flamingoes fly the flag for KZN, bringing regional pride to the national celebration.
South African food culture takes flight with teams like Air Wors, Wors Case Scenario, and Bunny Chowers. These team names celebrate local cuisine, and spectators can expect food vendors throughout the V&A Waterfront serving everything from traditional boerewors rolls to Cape Malay delicacies.
One of the 50 competing teams, Quantum Mechanics brings a taxi theme to their aircraft while The Extras, a family crew from Mitchell's Plain, bringing personality and flair. Other teams include Hakuna Matuktuk to Rassies Dassies.
Teams are judged on creativity, distance, and showmanship. The craft must be made entirely of environmentally friendly materials with no motors or rockets allowed.
The world record stands at 78.6 meters, set in Long Beach, California in 2013. South Africa’s 2012 winner, Team Bulls Eye, achieved 17.09 meters and teams will look to break that record this year.
The full-day festival runs from 10am to about 5pm. Beyond the flying machines, spectators can expect live entertainment, big screens at Clock Tower, UCB Square, and the Amphitheatre.
All launches happen from the six-meter platform at Jetty 1 in the V&A Waterfront.
The event is free to attend.