On Saturday, Jacob and Olly competed at a jet sprint championship for the first time. Jacob, Olly and their family drove about 20 hours from Hastings to Wanaka, with their boats in tow to attend the meet, where they were the youngest competitors. Jacob, the driver, said the races were "awesome" but challenging.
"It’s just mind-blowing, just getting thrown on the seats, you’re pretty scared the whole way.
"It’s 10 times worse than a rollercoaster [and] you have to think all the time."
"The build-up is scary but when you’re out there it’s a good feeling."
The boys, who were encouraged to start jet sprint racing by Jacob’s father and Olly’s stepfather David Simmons, came fifth in their grade. Mr Simmons said the boys’ boat could reach speeds of about 110kmh.
The event was the first round this season of the nationwide Altherm NZ Jet Sprint Championship and was held at the Oxbow Adventure Aquatrack.
About 2000 spectators attended.
Southern Jetsprints president Clayton Tisdall said 37 boats from the North Island and four from the South Island competed. Although there were no competitors from the Queenstown Lakes or Central Otago regions, Mr Tisdall said they could "get the crowd" in Wanaka and it had enough motel space for the 5000 people involved.
The closest home town for any competitor was Tapanui.
Five more rounds of the championship will be held in the North Island, with the final round in April.
