A JET ski ride to raise funds for the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Children’s Ward is planned for Maria Island next month.
On Sunday, February 5, jetskitas is planning for 100 personal watercraft (jet skis) to ride 100kms around Maria Island to raise funds for Archie’s 100. The ride re-creates the club’s first circumnavigation in January 2013.
Never before has there been a ride of 100 jet skis in Tasmania. The ride is open to anyone with a PWC licence endorsement and a reasonably modern jet ski. There is no need to be a financial member of jetskitas to participate.
Archie’s 100 is a new charity formed with the support of Variety Tasmania by a young Hobart family as a result of the devastating loss of young Archie in February 2021 after a tragic boating accident at Orford.
While no jetskis were involved in the accident, jetskitas joined forces with Archie’s 100 this year to add purpose to the 10-year anniversary of the original ride around Maria Island.
The ride, which departs from Raspins Beach, is an opportunity for jetski riders who haven’t been around the island before, or who are keen to expand the use of their jetski.
Jetskitas’s vice president Craig Woolford said there were a lot of experiences available for jet ski riders in Tasmania.
“Learning a bit more about what your ski can do opens up so many more possibility for enjoying your ski and getting the most out of it,’’ Mr Woolford said.
“Being part of this type of event – or a club like ours – lets everyone have a go at something they wouldn’t usually consider doing alone.”
This year’s circumnavigation will be fully supported by several boats and crews from Tassal.
“We are delighted that Tassal is providing its duty boats and crew to support the event, and several staff are volunteering their own boats to help our fleet on the day,’’ he said.
The support boats and crews have the capacity to assist riders on the day, whether from fatigue or an unexpected breakdown and contribute to a safe event.
All information about the ride and the safety measures in place is available on jetskitas’s website: https://jetskitas.com/ archies-100-charity-ride/
Registrations close and registration must be paid by January 28.
There is also a public Facebook Event where all updates are published. Search “Public Ride – Archie’s100”.