‘Jet ski racing is fun’

Claire Ellmers on the start line for a pole ski race at Lake Taupo. The teenager has become hooked on the sport and is keen to see others her age from Gisborne get into it. Picture supplied

When Gisborne teenager Claire Ellmers lined up at the start gate for her first New Zealand pole ski race meeting on Lake Taupo, she couldn’t help but notice that not only was she the only novice, she was also the sole female.

That did not stop the 15-year-old from giving it her all on her trusty Yamaha Super Jet 750.

Racing against 11 more seasoned competitors, Claire scored 20 points in the Ski GP 3 division. More important than results, she gained a lot of knowledge and confidence.

Claire only recently started jet skiing — getting into it late last year as school ended.

She was lucky enough to go to Melbourne on a jet ski training scholarship run by former Gisborne woman and nine-times world champion Kylie Ellmers.

After her training, Claire had her first race meeting at Chipping Norton in Sydney. Following that, she was hooked and has continued to develop her skills under Napier-based coach and mentor Simon Meadowcroft.

Claire is keen to spread the message far and wide “that jet ski racing is fun” so when the summer series starts in November, she hopes to have more fellow novice racers on the start line — especially more Gisborne competitors.

You can start pole ski racing at the age of 12 in New Zealand but under maritime law, riders under the age of 15 (16 in Australia) must have a youth race licence that shows they are competent riders.

Jet Ski Racing New Zealand take water safety seriously and as Claire found out, it’s not just a matter of filling out paperwork.

Anyone interested in the sport can get more information and contact details on the Jet Ski Racing New Zealand Inc website or Facebook page.