There’s no doubt about it – the Riviera family sure knows how to have a “whale of a time”. And when a dozen majestic humpbacks decide to join the party, it’s going to be even more memorable!

Sydney-based R Marine network dealer Mark Riley – from R Marine Riley – reports one of the best performances he has seen on the waters off Sydney during the recent R Experience event “Whale of a Weekend” in early June.

“We had some brilliant weather and the whales were loving it too, amazing us with tail slaps, a full breach and plenty of other magnificent moves,” says Mark. “The adults as well as the children had their breath taken away by these gentle giants of the ocean, especially one whale who proved quite the show-off!”

A total of 11 Riviera luxury power boats had earlier joined forces in the Pittwater channel early on the Saturday morning to head out past Barrenjoey Headland (one family for the first time) … and it wasn’t long before they were rewarded with the exact sights they had come to see when a pod of five humpbacks took their cue to take centre stage.

“After a couple of hours of cruising in the open water everyone was over the moon, having spotted 12 whales in total,” said Mark.

It was then back to the scenic Basin at Pittwater where the fleet rafted up in warm sunshine and enjoyed each other’s company and compared photographs while the children made the most of the R Experience event.

“One of our main aims is to get more children out on the water and we were joined by many families all enjoying the boating lifestyle,” said Mark. “It was such a pleasure to see all the children making new friends, driving tenders and enjoying the boats just as much as their parents.”

It was then that everyone settled in for an evening of entertainment, namely an X Factor karaoke competition – complete with disco lights – where Karen Tutt stole the show (although Mark Riley insists it closed down just before he had his chance to impress the judges).

Sunday morning brought more sunshine and the fleet enjoyed breakfast – personally delivered by Mark – from the comfort of their cockpits, including fresh pastries and newspapers to ensure an easy Sunday morning.

Mark reports Pittwater’s Riviera family and the R Marine Riley team have a number of events planned including an R Experience adventure to Lady Musgrave Island and the Myall Lakes Experience in the September school holidays.

“There are plenty of opportunities to get out with other Riviera owners and families and enjoy boating together,” he said. “We try to have dock drinks once a month and even though the Friday before our Whale of a Weekend trip was held in pouring rain, we still had 30 people come along for an evening of nice food, fine wine and great company!”

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