Noel has been an active public speaker for many years, addressing a wide range of audiences from natural history clubs to corporate groups and marine gatherings. His passion for his subject matter is interwoven within the narrative of his art and science, telling the captivating story of whales and dolphins, the conservation of the marine environment, and more recently, man’s place within the living universe.

JOURNEYS IN SEARCH OF THE WHALE PUBLIC TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS

Three talks are presented through the thought-provoking Journeys programme and include -

THE JOURNEYS PUBLIC TALK

1. Journeys in Search of the Whale

This thought-provoking Audio-Visual experience is presented personally by Noel and includes evocative visual images, ambient sound by well-known soundman Chris Tokalon and an impassioned spoken dialogue.

The talk takes the audience on a philosophical journey in search of the whale and the deeper issues influencing our relationship with the world around us.

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For more info, go to Journeys

A TALK FOR YOUNG LEARNERS

2. Journeys for Learners

At SciFest Africa 2010, Noel presented this innovative talk for the first time. Incorporating the various components of the Journeys message, Noel explores how he has been able to integrate a wide range of diverse disciplines into a unique career path. These include the artist, the scientist, the researcher, the story-teller, the philosopher and the environmentalist.

The talk offers young learners an engaging opportunity to think about the incredible professional and entrepreneurial opportunities that the modern world has to offer.

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A TALK FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

3. Journeys Training

Noel’s many years of experience within the whale tourism industry have shown him that there is a growing need for cetacean training opportunities within the hospitality and tourism sectors.

This talk focuses on general whale and dolphin identification and aims to equip staff members with a basic knowledge of whales, dolphins and the marine environment, so that they can impart this information and thereby enrich visitor’s experiences and understanding of cetaceans and their fragile ocean habitats.

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WHALE & DOLPHIN TALKS AND WHALE- WATCHING OUTINGS

Noel presents a range of talks and guided walks that focus on whales, dolphins and the environment, including -

1. Close Encounters with Whales & Dolphins

This popular talk takes the audience on a whirlwind tour around the globe, looking at various species of whales and dolphins and exploring their hidden worlds and diverse habitats. From the Gray whale migrations at Baja California, to southern Africa’s endemic dolphin found only on the West Coast, to our winter visitor’s the southern right whales, this talk is filled with extraordinary facts and information that will keep you fascinated from beginning to end.

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2. Whale watching 101

Noel’s passion for whale watching, his dedication to the science of morphologically mapping each species, and his diverse experience with whales and dolphins over the years make this lecture a treasure-trove of anecdotal facts and information. How to tell a humpback from a southern right whale, exploring the different blow patterns, body shapes and behaviours. This talk will leave you with a heightened appreciation for these elusive yet highly fascinating marine mammals of the deep.

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3. Strandings and the Human Response

Whale strandings around the world generate enormous interest. In this talk, Noel looks at the phenomenon of strandings and explores our connection with whales and our passionate response to their demise during a stranding event.

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4. Specialist whale outings

Over the years, Noel has guided many groups on whale watching trips in Hermanus. A walk along the cliff path or sitting at the edge of the sea is enhanced enormously by a better understanding of whales and their ocean environments. Noel’s passion for his subjects is transferred through each experience.

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NOEL’S SPEAKING AND APPEARANCE DIARY

View Noel’s upcoming events, lectures and outings

FEEDBACK

“I have been an Audio Visual producer for 20 years and have been involved in many presentations and Noel Ashton’s presentation on whales and dolphins had me riveted from start to finish.”
Mick Hedderman, Cape Town Tour Guide Association

OUR BOOKS

For over twenty-five years Noel has worked within whale and dolphin conservation, spending countless hours at the edge of the sea in his quest to better understand these extraoardinary ocean mammals. His books offer personal insight into this world, where he shares his passion for whales, dolphins and the fragile marine environment.

The Whales of Walker Bay

Noel’s acclaimed book ‘The Whales of Walker Bay’ has become a local best-seller. It gives an anecdotal account of his passion for whales and whale watching and includes species illustrations and information on the southern right, humpback and bryde’s whales.

The second edition is shortly going into revision with additional narrative and new colour plates.

Contact us about Book Sales or to enquire about bookstores that sell our books

Guide to the whales and dolphins of southern Africa

This informative and well-known local field guide provides a wealth of information on southern African whales and dolphins. It includes colour plates of the different species, behavioural and identification illustrations as well as general information on cetacean ecology. The book’s A5 size makes it a popular guide for any whale or dolphin watching trip.

Contact us about Book Sales or to enquire about bookstores that sell our books