F SEALS COULD FLY THEY’D VISIT THE V&A WATERFRONT

If seals could fly, they’d visit the V&A Waterfront

Forget flying pigs, The V&A Waterfront will attempt to fly a seal in next Sunday’s, 9^th December, Redbull Flugtug, which takes place which takes place on Jetty 1, V&A Waterfront from 11am until 5pm.

The event, based on the popular German amateur aircraft show, is a celebration of flight as competitors attempt to launch their homemade aircraft.

Over the years several of the bull seals in the Waterfront have been named, and in recognition of the first bull seal to take residence at Quay 6, the flying seal in the Redbull Flugtug is called Oscar.

“Seals are part of the V&A marine family and have lived happily in all parts of the Waterfront and the V&A Marina for years,” said V&A Waterfront Harbour Master Steven Bentley.

It all started on the Strandfontein beach one evening when the shape of a seal was drawn on the wet sand. This was followed by dimensioned sketches, and a very puzzled designer at Empire Inflatables, tasked with manufacturing the body. From a circular inflatable tube, the body was shaped into that of a proud bull seal. “The secret of Oscar’s design is that he wants to fly with the wingspan similar to that of the famous Red Baron bi-plane. The bi-plane wing is being tested secretly in the Two Oceans Aquarium. This is being done at night when the fish are asleep, as Oscar the seal is very much like “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” and does all his testing when the other fish and birds are asleep and cannot see him,” Bentley said.

“When asked how far he wants to fly, Oscar has said that he wants to break the 20m mark, and then visit his friends in the Quay 4 basin, and brag about his super-duper blue and yellow wings.”

The Table Bay Hotel, who have a golden model of the original Oscar on their podium, have promised a red garland that will adorn his neck when he flies.

After the event, Oscar will live on at the Waterfront as a turning marker buoy for future dragon boat races, SUP events, and long distance swimming events.

Follow Oscar’s secret wing design and flight on the Waterfront’s social media platforms and tweet @V&AWaterfront.