Les Rois Vagabonds and the 2017 Jet Ski Cup in Sainte-Maxime this April

14 February 2017

Hotel Amarante Golf Plaza reopens for the summer on the 1st April, and to kick-off the season we’ve compiled a guide to an exciting array of events taking place in Sainte-Maxime. Lovers of the theatre will not want to miss Les Rois Vagabonds, as the musical, acrobatic, unconventional clowns arrive in town as part of their worldwide tour... and a day at the beach is made all the more exciting by the annual Jet Cup, as the best jet ski riders from across the world compete in contests of speed, endurance and freestyle.

Les Rois Vagabonds: Concerto Pour Deux Clowns

15th April 2017

Information & Tickets

Not to be affiliated with your typical circus clowns, Concerto Pour Deux Clowns is the brainchild of Julia Moa Caprez and Igor Sellem, who have been honing their craft in the art of clown for nearly a decade; giving renewal to a medium that has long been absent from the limelight.

Between them, they possess an eclectic list of talents: ranging from a master’s degree in physics and a diploma in rock climbing, through to incredible ability in fields of acrobatics, music, mime and dance; which are brought together in this critically acclaimed production, which has been well-received the world over since its discovery at a street festival in 2010.

Clowns of old are known for their big shoes, red nose and their tendencies to dispatch custard pies in one another’s faces… and while the red nose remains, that is where the comparisons stop. On the evening you can expect to hear the likes of Vivaldi, Bach and Strauss played faultlessly on the violin… before the show ascends into a chaotic eruption of acrobatic routines and frenzied mime; ultimately making for a cultured and incredibly funny performance, which Les Rois Vagabonds themselves claim will bring a smile to the faces of wise philosophers and young children alike.

Since the show’s release into the mainstream, Concerto Pour Deux Clowns has been the recipient of a number of positive plaudits, receiving the “Prix du Public” award at the Festival Off in Avignon in 2013; and the media has been full of admiration for the dynamic duo:

“In a performance full of disarming exuberance and wonderful poetic touches, the Rois Vagabonds reinterpret the classical clown figure and broaden its scope” – Thierry Voisin, Telerama.

“This clown concerto is a deliciously charming pas de deux, as technically accomplished as it is funny and creative. You leave the theatre happy and with a smile on your lips” – Vivantmag.

Now a veteran of numerous worldwide tours, Les Rois Vagabonds embark on their travels yet again, playing dates in France, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Hungary and in various cities across Brazil; arriving in Sainte-Maxime on 15th April, where they will entertain the crowd at Le Carre for one night only. Tickets are available from €18, so book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Sainte-Maxime Jet Cup 2017

29th April – 30th April 2017

Information

For the ninth consecutive year, 130 drivers from across the world will descend on Sainte-Maxime, as they battle it out in various trials of speed, endurance and freestyle in France’s biggest jet ski competition, the Jet Cup.

Taking place on the beautiful Gulf of St Tropez, the usually tranquil azure sea will be teeming with life; as the powerful machines – which reach speeds of nearly 70mph – rip through the waves, slaloming around the coloured buoys which align the various courses… and that’s just for the speed trials. This section of the Jet Cup features the stand-up variety of the personal watercraft, allowing increased manoeuvrability around the smaller race courses, which are generally laid in the surf line, creating a challenge for even the most experienced of riders.

The endurance races feature the larger sit-down crafts… and are the ultimate test of concentration, skill, willpower and preparation. To stand a chance of winning, riders have to be in peak condition, both physically and mentally; knowing that one mistake during the hour long contest could potentially prove costly. The endurance trials also call into action those working behind the scenes, as machines have to be mechanically faultless in order to withstand the arduous contest.

After the fiercely contested speed and endurance trials, it’s time for what is arguably the highlight of the Jet Cup; the freestyle section. These contests are not for the fainthearted, as the sight of jet skis flipping through the air can make for nervous viewing… but the drivers are adept at their craft; playing to the crowds who break into rapturous applause once the daring combinations of gravity defying stunts, see the drivers safely back on the water.

For the event, you are able to spectate (for free) from the stunning surroundings of the ‘plague du centre ville’ – Sainte-Maxime’s most popular beach, located in the heart of the city. The alluring stretch of sand will be alive with spectators, and you may want to get there early for the choicest spots… but the atmosphere generated by the onlookers and the roar of the hundreds of jet skis makes for an adrenaline-fuelled day out, which can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Over the course of the weekend, you will also have the opportunity to explore the dedicated Jet Cup exhibition, located on the Simon Loriere Promenade; with the core of the exposition village located at the Théâtre de la Mer. Here you can meet the drivers and their jet skis up close and personal, as well as the teams that work tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain the machinery… with considerably less of the glory.

There will also be interactive workshops, Q&A sessions with the drivers, jet ski demonstrations, competitions, live entertainment and refreshment stalls based within the exhibition village.