The curtain has just closed on the 4th edition of the International Multihull Show held at La Grande Motte, one of southern France’s favourite resorts.  Running from 10 to 14 April 2013, multihull lovers from across the globe descended on a bevy of catamarans and trimarans looking to see what the industry has in store for this exciting sector of the yachting world.

Developed in 2009, the Multihull Show is one event with two sites.  Kick-off show in 2010 was held in Lorient, a seaport in Brittany on France’s Atlantic coast, before switching east-side in 2011 for the first ever Mediterranean multihull show with more than 60 vessels on display.  In 2012 Northern Europe gathered once more in Lorient and this year, La Grande Motte was host for a second time.

Each location suits different shipyards, therefore opening up the Show to the widest possible audience.  Although 60% of the world’s multihulls are produced in France (think Lagoon, Fountaine-Pajot) plenty of foreign shipyards have also been represented at this event including those from Italy, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, England, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Hong-Kong, the United States and South Africa.

Speaking of South Africa (number two for multihull production in the world) relative newcomer to the market, TAG Yachts from St Francis Bay on the Eastern Cape, showcased their new breed of performance catamaran, the TAG60.  Managing Director of TAG Yachts, Tim van der Steene, had this to say:

“From our perspective the Show was great.  The TAG60 was received well by prospective clients, press, our industry colleagues and even Olympian and five-time world champion Marc Pajot.  The French sailor was impressed by our cat’s ability to sail around at seven to ten knots boat speed whilst others wallowed in the light six to nine knot breeze offshore at La Grande Motte.”

Tim continues, “Overall there seems to be demand for new innovations and designs aimed at those who really enjoy sailing.  The new kids on the block, us with the TAG60, Le Breton with their SIG45 and McConaghy’s MC²60, all attracted plenty of attention.  These cats sail well, track upwind like a monohull and are exciting to helm in the light airs as well as the higher wind speeds, whilst being comfortable onboard – we’re proud to be part of this new breed of catamaran.”

Organisers say around 15,000 visitors attended this year’s International Multihull Show with overseas visitors accounting for up to 40% of the total.  60 multihulls were on display including the new Cumberland 47LC from Fountaine-Pajot and European debuts from the Lagoon 39 and 52, Leopard 48 and Ocean Voyager 53 from Nautitech. The boats were joined by plenty of accessory, equipment and service suppliers and specialist multihull charter companies.

http://www.multicoque-online.com/en/

“The first thing you notice about Bruno is his wheelchair.  It’s a shock because, despite being a paraplegic, he is intent on buying a sailing yacht.  Two minutes after meeting he has clambered out of his wheelchair and is bouncing his way across the gangplank, lifting his redundant legs over the guardrail to deposit him-self on deck.  I then open the fore hatch so Bruno can drop into the cabin and check out the interior.  I must have looked flustered because he tells me to relax – apparently most ‘uprights’ suffer stress when they first meet him.”

Bruno grew up in Rhodesia, a blonde tanned ‘beach bum’ with surfing and sailing as his passions.  Life was something of a dream, he was a charter skipper based in Indonesia surfing some of the best waves in the world, and getting paid for it, but it all changed at the age of 27.  In December 1997 a car crash resulting from a failed carjacking attempt in Capetown left him with a broken back.  Bruno, understandably, fell into despair.

Recovery from misery and pain was a hard journey for Bruno.  Drink, drugs and even a game of Russian Roulette didn’t give him the resolution he so desperately craved, until one day he thought he’d found the ultimate solution.  Bruno persuaded a friend to lend him his surfboard to paddle out beyond the breakers where he planned to drown doing what he enjoyed the most – surfing.  However he hadn’t allowed for human spirit, the will to live, and as he caught a small ‘foamy’ back to shore, this small surfing success triggered a will to live.  Bruno resolved to get as fit as possible and resume life to the best of his ability.

John continues, “Bruno’s chosen yacht is a South African-built Atlantis 36, a brand that is rare in Europe, he sees this and its African name as a fateful sign.  Having borrowed a mask and snorkel to inspect the underside of the yacht, in his element in the water, Bruno declares the hull sound and shares his plans.  This boat will become home for him and his girlfriend, down on the Moroccan Atlantic coastline, a new Mecca for the surfing community.  The vendor gives him permission to live aboard for the night to plan the modifications needed and his bright future.”

No one should leave Gibraltar without having a proper tour of the Rock and John was keen for Bruno to experience the sights courtesy of Boatshed Gibraltar.  The following day he picked him up quayside Ocean Village and set off.

“At Europa Point, the lighthouse at the southern tip of the Rock, Bruno sought my advice on winds tides and currents in the Strait, a crossing he’d have to make en-route Morocco.  We then made our way to the Upper Rock and St Michael’s Cave, a network of limestone caves 300 metres above sea level.  Bruno singlehandedly negotiates the steps down into the cave, backwards, in his nifty wheelchair.  Eyewitnesses learnt something about disability there and then.”

“Back at the marina, Bruno explains how he’s also seeking sponsorship to acquire a large catamaran which will be adapted for disabled people.  I ask him to look me up if he needs help in the knowledge that Gibraltar is a generous place.”

“Bruno is a true shining light.  As we part he tells me that most people are disabled – just for him it’s his legs. I opened by saying that the first thing you notice about Bruno is his wheelchair.  The last thing you notice about Bruno is NOT his wheelchair.”

www.boatshedgibraltar.com

Money’s no object.  You’ve done the barefoot boutique villa resort in the Maldives, cruised in style in a luxury Seabourn suite and chartered a sailing superyacht around the Caribbean.  How on earth are you going to impress your golfing buddies now?  The answer – Tagomago Island.

Tagomago Island is a roughly hewn chunk of rock thrown into a paradisiacal pool of deep blue sea that pales to crystalline turquoise as it laps the shoreline.  The ultimate sanctuary, and completely private, the Island boasts just one property and the whole shooting match is yours to rent from just 100,000 euros a week!

Set 900 metres from the coast of the Balearic jet-set island of Ibiza, Tagomago is easily reached by superyacht or chopper (naturally).  Once ashore, the 600,000 square metres of countryside are criss-crossed by pretty walking paths, some leading to the historic 1909 lighthouse, just begging for exploration.

On the west coast, Tagomago boasts a beach with BBQ and lounging areas plus a mooring for the yacht.  Stay close to home and practice some water-sports: diving, kayaking, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, or take the 30 minute cruise across to Formentera, a neighbouring Island famed for its azure waters and long white-sand beaches peppered by feet-in-sand restaurants and relaxed beach clubs.

Tagomago’s resting place is a modern villa set right at the heart of the Island.  Built in a classical luxurious style, the property has five large en-suite bedrooms with full-height windows, a living room, dining room, designer kitchen and generous chill-out style terraces for relaxation, savouring the peace and tranquillity and admiring the breathtaking views.  Only the best fixtures and fittings alongside the latest technology (B&O sound system, LED lighting, wifi internet) suit the most discerning of customers.  A 25 metre swimming pool and Jacuzzi tempt you in for a cooling dip whilst a sauna, outdoor fitness centre, jogging track and boules area might also tickle your fancy.

A separate house for staff gives the opportunity for a discreet personal service catering to guests’ every need.  A private chef, kitchen hand, domestic servant and personal butler are included in the rental fee.  Choose your menus before you arrive and dine formally in the dining room or lazily on the terrace.  Likewise, book a personal Pilates or Tai Chi class, massage or personal trainer, to balance the body and mind.

Tagomago is undeniably the hot ticket for VIPs who want complete privacy away from paparazzi and tourists.  Booked by the week for everything from celebrity weddings to family holidays, television shoots to birthday parties, it’s a true one-off Mediterranean gem.

http://www.en.kuhn-partner.com/tagomago.xhtml

Simon Lofting, a Detective specialising in marine investigation within the joint Essex/Kent Police Marine Unit (UK) and current Chairman of IAMI Europe, has this to say, “In 2012, 70 to 80 million euros worth of outboard engines were stolen, a considerable figure.  Highly centralised teams of criminals are striking from both land and water, sometimes travelling thousands of miles in carefully planned missions.  Part of the gang will go on a spotting spree, logging locations of targets on GPS, before passing the coordinates to other gang members who will carry out the theft.  Rarely deterred by CCTV, they carefully remove the valuable equipment, a process that can take hours, before shifting them quickly out of the country and into others such as Lithuania for resale.  High value boats, jet-skis, personal watercraft and high speed RIBs are also stolen, the latter often ending up in the hands of drug dealers.  Engine serial numbers will be replaced with very good fake plates and this whole process places huge strain on police investigators and the insurance industry.  IAMI is working hard to tackle the crisis and close the net on the perpetrators.”

Founded in the US in 1986 when Major Dave MacGillis of the Florida Marine Patrol recognised that this high profit low risk form of crime was getting out of control, IAMI went international in 1994 with IAMI Europe being formed in 1996.  The organisation has now issued over 3,000 memberships worldwide and combines the expertise of law enforcement and border agencies with the private sector such as insurance companies, surveyors, loss adjusters and private investigators. They work together to combat marine theft, arson, fraud and other criminal activity in the marine environment.

Simon continues, “Another part of IAMI’s mission is to offer annual and regional conferences to further the training and knowledge of our investigators.  This year’s conference, one that will be attended by delegates from across the world, is to be held in October in Ibiza’s San Antonio.  We will be teaching all sorts of skills from vessel and engine ID to fire investigation, GPS downloading and document and passport fraud.  Statistics, live cases and intelligence will also be swapped between police forces.  We’re welcoming officials from all countries to this important event.”

For more information on IAMI, marine theft and the Ibiza Conference on 8 and 9 October 2013, visit www.iamimarine.org.

Constructed by Italy’s C-Boat shipyard in Monfalcone, Gorizia, this visually appealing 27.3 metre displacement yacht will appeal to anyone who has ever been captivated by the thought of setting out to sea on a craft that resembles The Beatles’ famous Yellow Submarine.

C-Boat’s shipyard has grown enormously since 2005, when Sicilian entrepreneur and enthusiastic sailor, Mauro Corvisieri was first inspired to build boats from a combination of steel and aluminium. This initial idea has resulted in a portfolio of craft that share Corvisieri’s signature combination of tough invincibility and interior comfort and elegance.

The hull and superstructure of the Olibamo C-Boat 27-82 Sc is made from stainless steel and, since it has been constructed to match the technical specifications of a working tugboat, it is more powerful than many boats of a similar size and can cope with even the most adverse weather conditions.  Onboard sailing comfort is guaranteed by a deep V bottom that extends to an eight millimetre thickness.

Despite the Olibamo’s comparatively modest size, the overall impression is one of space, a sense that is undoubtedly partly created by the 7.51 metre beam and the generous proportions of the windows and skylights, which all help to boost the amount of available natural light.

The emphasis might be on practicality and utility, but the makers of this yacht have their clients’ five-star tastes firmly in mind; the décor is that of an upmarket hotel.  The main deck features a spacious salon where L-shaped settees encourage guests to linger and engage in conversation and an expansive dining table which can easily accommodate eight.

Opposite the dining room, the galley is fitted with all the equipment and gadgets necessary to prepare gourmet meals; its position means that it also separates the leisure area from the yacht’s high-tech command station.

The Olibamo also contains three cabins for the crew and a further four or five cabins (depending on configuration) for guests, all of which reflect C-Boat’s criteria of combining beauty of form with efficiency of function.

Two 875 hp CAT engines provide the power, allowing the yacht to reach a cruising speed of 10 knots and a top speed of 14 knots, while keeping fuel consumption to a very eco-friendly 90 litres per hour.

This delightful banana custard of a yacht is the ideal craft for the extrovert seeking the crème de la crème of boats.

www.floatinglife.com

Nick and Sebastian preparing Rocky

While some respond to reports of hunger and deprivation in the developing world by agreeing that, yes, it is awful and someone really should do something about it, two amateur sailors in Mallorca are getting to grips with the problem in a very practical way.

Nick Mason, aged 15 and 16 year-old Sebastian Page Franklin are setting off on Saturday 16 July for a 160 nautical mile trip around Mallorca in their open dinghy, Rocky, to help two of the Island’s charities.

Nick Mason                                                                           Sebastian Page Franklin

Via its humanitarian programmes in Mallorca and Africa, Mediterranea is dedicated to providing children with necessities like milk, baby food, nappies, basic food stuffs and school books.  Noting the good work that the charity was undertaking, the two boys stepped in to help and are hoping that their sponsored circumnavigation of the Island will raise some money and publicise the tireless work carried out by Mediterranea.

The boys’ voyage will also benefit Mallorca’s environment, since they will send information about the waters around the Island to Ondine, a local association dedicated to preserving and protecting the marine eco-system and promoting sustainable fishing methods.

This expedition is not without its challenges; Nick and Sebastian acknowledge that the changeable weather conditions might not permit them to set off on the 16^th of July as planned and have prepared a contingency plan.

“Every morning we will get a detailed weather forecast and if we’re unable to sail we’ll spend the day cleaning the local beaches and telling people about the trip in the hope that some of them might decide to become last minute sponsors.”

While Nick and Sebastian have not been short of sponsors in the more traditional sense of the word, they have also found that help has been forthcoming in many different forms: “We are very grateful to anyone who has given a helping hand, from allowing us to refill our water bottles from their taps to giving us a hand with running repairs.”

In fact, the boys have been so impressed by the assistance that they have received, in all its forms that they are to set up a blog entitled “Very Nice Island People” publicising the kindness of their supporters.

The trip will not be an easy one for a variety of reasons, not the least being that Rocky will be a very bijou home for the ten to 14 days that it will take to circle Mallorca.  Nick and Sebastian acknowledge that some sacrifices of comfort will have to be made and they plan either to take turns sleeping on the bottom of the boat or sleeping on beaches that they encounter on the way.

A blog catalogues the preparations for the trip and, once they have set off, the boys plan to post regular updates on the progress made during the previous 24 hours.

Despite their youth, Nick and Sebastian are both experienced sailors and have been taking to the sea since they were children.  Their passion for all things nautical inspired them to undertake a number of courses at Cala Nova Sailing Club in dinghy sailing and canoeing; they are also both PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Advanced and Rescue Divers.

Their families have been close for many years and Sailaid is, typically, a joint project.  While Nick suggested the circumnavigation it was Sebastian’s brainwave to use the adventure to raise money for Mediterranea.

Excitement levels are high in the Mason and Franklin households at present, but before the boys can cast off there is the small obstacle of Nick’s GCSEs to overcome; the daily grind of school must take priority before the odyssey can begin.

Follow Nick and Sebastian’s progress via their blog at: http://sailaid.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/sailaid-the-idea/

Sailaid Mallorca is also on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sailaid-Mallorca/556829434339322?fref=ts

With our reliance on small but powerful gadgets, many beginning with a little ‘i’ (the iPod, the iPad, the iPhone) it is a wise inventor or designer that seeks to find ingenious ways to maximise the portability of leisure objects.

The Porta-Bote eliminates the need for a traditional trailer, a distinct advantage to the caravan enthusiast who would also like to take his boat on holiday, since the Porta-Bote can easily be transported on the roof of a car or motorhome – and you can even keep things in it on the move.

The main advantage that this remarkably user-friendly craft has over other similar products is that it is lightweight but because it is not inflatable, it is also extremely durable.  Fashioned from polypropylene, a substance first developed to match the needs of the space programme, the Porta-Bote combines strength and flexibility and can outlast aluminium, steel and neoprene.

A portable boat might seem little more than a charming but impractical notion, but judging from the healthy sales figures (to date more than 90,000 have been sold worldwide) it is a notion whose time has arrived.

The Porta-Bote has been brought to the UK by Roger Jackson, who first encountered the concept when stationed in Oman. “When I saw this ‘PortaBote’ in the showroom, it looked like an ordinary small open boat.  At first glance, I thought it was fibreglass.  Then the chap took the seats out and the hull folded it down to what looked like a long surfboard.  It was quite amazing.  Apparently, it was the only one like it in the country.  The shop had brought it in from the US to gauge demand by the local fishermen.”

He learned that the Porta-Bote had been rejected in favour of longer, faster boats that were necessary to reach the rich fishing waters of the reefs, but Roger guessed that it would be ideal for the less high pressure requirements of his family.

When he left Oman the Jacksons sold their boat but, on returning to the UK, it was only a short time before they thought about replacing it, “I got in touch with the US manufacturers to get the contact details for their UK distributor,” states Roger.  “They told me their nearest distributor was in Germany.  Apparently, the boats have been marketed extensively in the US, Australasia and the Far East for several years, but they have only been in Europe for a brief while.  The UK market was ‘next on the list’ – in fact, they were actively looking for a UK distributor.”

From his base in Lowestoft, Roger Jackson is now not only a Porta-Bote enthusiast but UK distributor for the product.  He estimates that approximately half of his clientele are former inflatable owners, disillusioned by the impracticalities and relative short life of such craft.

The Porta-Bote’s primary selling point is its light weight, especially when compared to aluminium boats which can also be noisy and therefore not exactly ideal for keen fishermen.  It is also very low maintenance and easy to store; perfect, therefore, for flat dwelling would-be boat owners.

Perhaps the Porta-Bote would not be the vessel of choice for the serious sailor, but for the amateur or weekend fisherman it could well fit the bill.

http://intramore.co.uk/

©Louise May Photography

MarinaLive! caught up with the girls at the London International Boat Show 2013 in January and could not help being infected by their enthusiasm and good humour.  Annabel acknowledges that this is an unlikely project for a variety of reasons, “Laura and I are both suckers for a good quote and one of our favourites is, ‘Limits exist only in the mind’.  I am a five foot two inch blonde with an unhealthy obsession with peanut butter, so I’m not your average rower.  Then again, I’m not your average paddle boarder either, yet last year I managed to paddle a thousand miles along a river, following only three hours of training.”

©Louise May Photography

The two women met after Annabel engaged in what she describes as, “a cheeky snog with a rather dashing chap in a club in Bristol.”  During the conversation Annabel mentioned that one of her main ambitions was to row across an ocean, which clearly impressed her new friend, since he agreed to help.  Within days Annabel found herself being included in emails to CEOs of various influential companies who could be in a position to help her in her quest.  One of the replies that she received came from Leah Fullwood, a fellow adventurer who was enthusiastic about the project but could not commit to such a mammoth task.  However, a close friend of hers would definitely be interested; this was Laura Penhaul.

©Louise May Photography

With two of the team in place, the hunt is now on to find two more recruits for the big row, which Annabel estimates will take six months to complete.  The 3,000 nautical mile first leg will take the Coxless Rowers from Long Beach, California to Hawaii then the next 2,000 mile section will take them to Samoa.  The final push will be the 2,800 mile route to Cairns in Queensland, Australia.

Annabel and Laura, who will be raising money for Breast Cancer Care on their journey, enthusiastically suggest that most women still have little sense of their potential, “When I train at home in Bristol, I am still the only female in the free weights section of my local gym.  The Olympics has gone a very long way in promoting women in sport but we definitely have some way to go.  Out of nearly 600 ocean rowers only 77 of these were women,” says Annabel.

“The WSFF (Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation) recently revealed that women’s sport only receives 0.5% of commercial investment.  We are not by any means going to change this with our ocean row, but one of the fundamental reasons why we are doing this is to inspire women out there to get involved and have a go.”

©Louise May Photography

Annabel and Laura are hoping that the two final members of the team will not only contribute to the training process but also become involved in the preparation for this ambitious expedition.  “What we require is two dedicated – and, quite possibly, slightly mad – individuals who can devote two weekends per month to team training and events, attend weekly review meetings and stay in touch with us via phone and email regarding their roles.  They will also have to confirm that they are prepared to commit to a structured, six day a week training plan for approximately two hours a day.  They will also need to attend two week long training sessions away from home and be involved in presentations, fundraising events and sponsorship meetings.”

Annabel Hancock  ©Louise May Photography

Rowing the Pacific is no small undertaking and Hancock and Penhaul are aware that what they are asking from their remaining two members is dedication of a most extraordinary nature.  Some might say they were attempting to do the impossible, a notion that is given short shrift by Annabel, “Laura is constantly surrounded by Paralympians who do the impossible every day.”

The fun-loving facade covers a steely determination and it is easy to believe that these two women will make rowing the Pacific look deceptively simple.

Find more about the Coxless Rowers at http://coxlessrowers.wordpress.com and on Facebook as The Coxless Rowers.

Launched at January’s New York Boat Show, the new Sea Ray 210 SLX range quickly became a star attraction, no surprise given that these handsome bowriders have all the speed and clean lines that discerning boat owners expect of a five-star pleasure boat.

The 2013 version of the Sea Ray 210 SLX allows purchasers to choose from five boats, ranging from 21 to 30 feet and with two distinct cockpit configurations.  The standard version features a bowrider with hinged cushions and storage below, two bucket seats, port and starboard jump-seats to the aft and a motorbox with hinged cushion walkway.  The variation offers the same bowrider with hinged cushions and storage below and two bucket seats, but in lieu of the jump-seats is an aft bench seat with storage built-in and cooler underneath plus a large sunpad lounger with starboard walk-through.  There is also a choice of colour schemes: the standard chocolate and taupe or the option of taupe and white.

Flooring, both in the bow and in the cockpit areas is made from fibreglass with fitted carpeting.  There is also plenty of space for the dedicated sun-worshipper, whichever cockpit configuration is chosen.  The swim platform allows swift smooth access to the water and includes a stainless steel ladder; SeaDek padding can also be fitted if required.

The Sea Ray is the perfect choice for the watersport enthusiast, since the bow area has been thoughtfully equipped with hinged cushions that can be lifted to allow for easy access when stowing those essential pieces of equipment from skis to lifejackets.  There is also lockable wakeboard stowage with vinyl matting and a gas assisted lid – buyers also have the option of a watersports tower.

Power is provided by a standard 220hp MerCruiser 4.3 litre engine and Alpha 1 Sterndrive, although those who like life in the fast lane can choose to upgrade to a 300 hp engine, along with a beefy Bravo III drive.

The impressive instrument panel features high-end SmartCraft instruments which constantly monitor performance, while the entertainment side of things is covered by the Sony stereo system with CD player and iPod connection.

The Sea Ray 210 SLX truly is a beast of beauty, from its clean lines to its three-piece glass windshield with black anodised frame.  From a design point of view it shines, yet it is also a very practical craft, with a 40 gallon or 151 litre fuel capacity and it responds wonderfully when pushed to its impressive top speed of roughly 50 miles per hour.

These sleek vessels combine performance and comfort, which is why their popularity is so enduring.  The 2013 additions to the fleet can only contribute further to this solid reputation.

www.marinamarbella.net

To understand the debate about WaveJet, a lightweight one-of-a-kind personal water propulsion system, you have to understand the mentality of a surfer – and believe me that’s also one-of-a-kind.  When studying surf culture, Sociology Professor Michael Roberts from San Diego State University said, “A surfer’s dedication to the sport goes beyond just the activity.  It’s something they are drawn to – a primal instinct”.  The purists say that WaveJet has no place in the sport, nothing should get in the way of that primal instinct, but the tide is most definitely turning.

Essentially surfing is the oldest of sports.  In existence since humans started swimming in the ocean (albeit without a surfboard until the Polynesians invented those in the 18th century) all you need to take part is a board, some swimwear, the waves and bundles of energy.  Relying on 20 pounds of thrust from a WaveJet to get to the line-up is perhaps frowned upon, but watch professional big wave surfer Massachusetts-born Garrett McNamara catch the biggest waves on the ocean courtesy of WaveJet – and you may just change your mind.

Garry Trainer, Chair of Ongar Ltd, WaveJet’s exclusive European importer, explains, “In its essence, WaveJet allows surfers to spend more time surfing, catching more waves and riding them for longer.  On days when most surfers would stay home due to lack of decent waves, WaveJet propulsion enables them to go out and still have a great session.  Similarly, in locations where a tow-in from a personal watercraft would otherwise be required, WaveJet lets the surfer go it alone and paddle into far bigger waves.  When the line-up is full, they can find their peak and move between shifting peaks, a luxury not afforded by non-powered boards and lastly, when the break is soft or breaking fast, surfers can connect or go around sections and ride as if in perfect conditions.  In short it’s all about optimising time spent in the water.  We’ve had longboard icon Steve Walden, team rider Cory Lopez and the aforementioned Garrett onboard for consultation to make sure WaveJet gives the surfing industry exactly what it wants.”

But of course there’s a new sport in town, and that’s Stand up Paddle – commonly referred to as SUP.  Said to be the world’s fastest growing sport, favoured by all ages and a multitude of celebrities, SUP is easy to learn and provides a great workout.  WaveJet conveniently also has this market covered.

Again created in consultation with leading industry experts, WaveJet SUP boards do things your average board can only dream of.  In harsh conditions, WaveJet lets paddlers move across fast currents, in flat conditions, the extra thrust makes it a little more fun and in surf conditions, paddlers can catch the waves like their surfing compatriots.

Perhaps the most acceptable face of WaveJet, one purists can’t even argue against, is in a rescue scenario.  Shaped with the insight of major lifesaving organisations around the United States, the WaveJet rescue board gets the lifeguard from shore to victim and back again in half the time of non-powered boards.  One man can overpower currents and navigate hard-to-reach areas without having to wait for assistance from a personal watercraft.  What’s more, they’ll save valuable energy en route, energy best put into critical life saving procedures.  It could literally make the difference between life and death.

Another benevolent utilisation of WaveJet relates to those who are physically disabled.  As the device needs just a one-touch flip-of-a-switch to spark it into action, those who haven’t surfed since suffering a life changing injury could once more experience the thrill of independently catching and riding a wave.  Testament to this is quadriplegic Jesse Billauer, a promising young surfer whose dreams of competing in the ASP World Tour were shattered when a surfing incident injured his spinal cord.  Jesse was left unable to walk with limited use of his arms and hands.  He has since been filmed using his teeth to hit the button on the WaveJet wrist controller and for the first time in years he’s able to surf unaided.  He said, “It’s just mind boggling.  I feel like I might not even need anybody.”

California-born WaveJet is a pod that fits flush to the bottom of a range of WaveJet-ready watercraft or forms part of a complete board package.  Operated by a wireless ‘Seatooth’ wrist controller, it provides 20 pounds of thrust and 12mph of speed whilst leaving hands and feet free to ride the waves.  With a continuous run time of up to an hour and the twin lithium-ion battery rechargeable via a standard socket, WaveJet will change the way people interact with water.

visit www.ongarglobal.com or email stuart@ongarglobal.com