Record entries for 2018 Yamaha Variety Jet Trek

It's the biggest field in the 20-year history of the Yamaha Variety Jet Trek, with 115 riders departing Sydney on Monday morning (March 19) to head north to Yamba following the NSW coastline.

The 700km ocean ride on a variety of personal water craft (PWCs) will take six days of high-pressure riding in the saddle, climbing towering waves, landing in deep troughs and shooting off their crests to do it again. It is very much a physical test and of endurance of man and machine.

For all this, the riders will earn one rest day at Port Macquarie. The first stop is Terrigal before the trek overnights in Newcastle, Tuncurry, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour ahead of the finish in Yamba on Saturday March 24.

A REWARDING CHARITY RIDE
The 2018 event has so far raised more than $340,000 for the Variety Children’s Charity; the exact figure won’t be announced until the end of the ride.

The previous record of 92 riders in the 2017 Yamaha Variety Jet Trek raised $270,000 — after the cost of running the event.

All 19 Jet Treks so far have raised $1.7 million combined for kids in need across Australia.

THE 2018 JET TREK
This year there are eight jet ski teams each comprising approximately 14 riders from as far afield as Tasmania, Townsville — and South and West Australia.

The event itself is not a race against the clock but a test of endurance, especially for many riders new to the Jet Trek.

Almost a quarter of this year's field — 26 riders — are first-timers, with the rest of the entrants rating as experienced ocean riders, and from teenagers to retirees.

Paul Locock and his brother Peter Locock (pictured above) and their support crew Gary Boon are the only three participants to compete in all 20 Jet Treks to date.

“The first event in 1998 was effectively a group of mates on jet skis raising money for kids,” says Paul.

“Now it’s a massive event and the more jet skis that enter, the more money gets raised for charity.”

Paul says most first timers don’t appreciate how challenging it can be to ride in the ocean.

“It looks easy but I always recommend first timers do a few rides in the ocean with a buddy, and don’t just wait for an easy day weather wise. Obviously you’ve got to play it safe but it’s worth going out and getting as much experience as possible.”

Queenslander Ryan Lacaze travelled from Townsville to compete in his “17th or 18th” event.

“First and foremost it’s about raising money for kids, but it’s also a great way to catch up with jet ski riding mates from across the country for one week every year,” says Ryan.

Sydneysider Geoff Nulla has had jet skis for 15 years and specialises in ocean riding, but this is the first Jet Trek for the “50 something” rider.

“I’ve been wanting to do this event for years, now it’s in Sydney this is the time to do it,” says Geoff Nulla.

According to a Weather Bureau forecast late on Sunday, the Jet Trek will face winds of between 15 and 25 knots and swell between 1 and 3 metres in the first few days, but as part of their event permit organisers are obliged to cancel certain stages in extreme weather.

SYDNEY HARBOUR JET SKI START
One of the eight groups will be allowed to start the event from Sydney Harbour under the escort of police and NSW Maritime, after a lucky draw.

It will be the first-time jet skis have been allowed in Sydney Harbour in significant numbers since they were banned in 2001.

The only other exceptions for jet skis in Sydney Harbour have been special stunt shows at Darling Harbour -- and in April 2016 a husband and wife couple won an exemption to start their around-Australia jet ski ride in Sydney Harbour under police supervision.

Unfortunately their 23,000km circumnavigation ended in Far North Queensland six weeks and 3500km after it started.

The rest of the Jet Trek teams will start from Mooney Mooney Bridge boat ramp, just north of Sydney, where jet skis will make their way out to the ocean between Palm Beach and Box Head before heading north.

All jet skis must carry 40 litres of spare fuel -- in addition to their built-in tanks being brimmed to the maximum -- plus EPIRB and PLB warning devices.

Road crews towing the empty jet ski trailers follow the highway north to meet the teams at the end of each leg.

In this year's event, there are 77 Yamahas, 35 Sea-Doos and 3 Kawasakis entered.

The first Jet Trek was held in 1998 with about 40 riders starting in Yepoon and finishing on the Gold Coast. Three of the original entrants have done all 20 events.

Although Jet Trek is run by the Queensland division of the Variety Children's Charity, the event changes locations each year.

In 2016 it started as far south as Portland near the South Australia-Victoria border and followed the Great Ocean Road to Phillip Island. In 2017, it was held in Far North Queensland.

The event has become so popular, Variety is hosting a second, smaller Jet Trek in the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach to Mission Beach from June 3 to 9, 2018.

Boatsales is taking part in the 2018 Yamaha Variety Jet Trek. Check back soon for more updates on the 2018 Jet Trek. - Jet Ski Josh.