Nationals on this weekend
45 competitors lined up for Lake Karāpiro event
To race in the junior programme, you have to go through a junior development training programme which we’ve done in conjunction with Maritime New Zealand and the Harbourmasters.
The annual Battery Zone 2024 New Zealand Jet Sport Nationals will take place at Mighty River Domain, Lake Karāpiro on March 16 and 17.
Held every second year at Lake Karāpiro, the association takes their nationals elsewhere when the Aon Maadi Regatta is in the Waikato.
This event is hosted by Hawke’s Bay Jet Sport Club in conjunction with the NZ Jet Sports Boating Association.
About 45 competitors from across NZ will compete out of four clubs — Auckland Jet Sport Association, Canterbury Jet Sports Club, Hawke’s Bay Jet Sport Club and Wellington Jet Sport Club.
One rider is joining from Australia.
Canterbury world title holder Jake Wilson and Wellington’s multiple world title holder Carl Lampe Jnr will compete on the Waipā lake.
Hawke’s Bay Jet Sport Club and NZ Jet Sports Boating Association secretary/ treasurer Lara Zidich says some racers will get up to 130 to 145km/h.
“The numbers are a little bit lower this year and I think that’s to do with the current economic climate. Also, a lot of the riders from Hawke’s Bay have lost everything with the cyclone last year,” Zidich says.
“We’ve got two different types of jet skis, the ones that you sit down on — runabouts — and then the ones that you stand up on — the ski class.
“There’s stock skis and there’s souped-up skis, open class. There’s a class for everybody.
“We’ve got competitors as young as 10 racing. To ride on a ski (aged) under 15 is illegal. So, to race in the junior programme, you have to go through a junior development training programme which we’ve done in conjunction with Maritime New Zealand and the Harbourmasters.”
The NZJSBA have introduced a new class in 2024, the Clubman’s Water-cross.
This category is designed for riders who are keen to “just have a go”.
A full licence isn’t necessary and the course is less serious.
Registrations for this class will be open until the day.
“Battery Zone NZ have come on board again and they’re really behind us and the junior programme. They recognise the juniors as being the future of the sport,” Zidich says.
“If you’re around, you need to come and watch Carl Lampe. He’s a freak. I don’t know how he does what he does. He rides with a stock ski in the open class and wins every year. He’s incredible.
“Come along, have a look and feel free to reach out to anyone in a high-vis [vest] to see how to get into the sport.”
To see the best racing, Zidich recommends that the public arrive at 10am.
For updates or more information, visit NZJSBA on Facebook or nzjetsport.org.nz.
Lara Zidich