Jet boats lure thrillseekers

Press, 16 July 1980, Page 26

Jet boats lure thrillseekers

The 70-year-old American woman screamed with delighted fright ' all the way down the Shotover as the jet boat skimmed on its hair-raising path past and through the rocky outcrops. Back at the jetty she turned to her driver and said enthusiastically: “Young man, I’ve never had so much fun with my clothes on before.” This anecdote ■ gives some indication 'of the' genuine pleasure the tourist jet boats of Central Otago are giving overseas visitors. ■ , The thrill of jet boating is providing many tourists with, the highlight, of their New Zealand trip and the commercial scene, which started very humbly and quite by chance in 1961, is now a thriving and exciting money-spinner.- At the height of the . summer about 1000 people a day are taking tourist jets, proving that without a doubt the jet boat is one of ,i Queenstown’s main tourist attractions. Jet boating for tourists also seems to be one of the few arenas where free enterprise in New Zealand is alive and well. Competition between young, keen operators has created distinctive and thrilling rides. Tourists are flown from

the airport at Frankton Arm by helicopter to the departure point a few miles down the Kawarau River and are then given an exciting ride in a Hamilton J 73, hugging the wil-low-lined banks, with all the swerves, speed, and spin-outs even the most proficient jet boater would be thrilled to experience. The best known trip of' all is, of course, operated by Shotover Jets through the spectacular gorge and once again the skill of the drivers is heart-stoppingly incredible as they push the jet’s capability to the limit. Trevor Gamble took over the original commercial Shotover operation in 1970. At that time passenger numbers totalled 3300 a year. Today 40,000 take the world-famous half-hour ride of a lifetime every year and the growth rate is “still healthy?’ Other jet boat tourist operations in Central Otago include Peter Mclntosh’s “Twin Rivers” trip on both the Kawarau and Shotover rivers, the Makarora River Tours operated by Chris Batteson, and the Kawarau River trip and U-drive boats operated by Marine Enterprises, Ltd, opposite the Queenstown Travelodge.

Queenstown offers regular beauty parades with a difference. Although the stars of the show lack perhaps the aesthetic attributes of the Miss Universe finalists, they nevertheless are eyed longingly by farmers, for the parades feature New Zealand’s finest breeds of beef and dairy cattle. The parades are held daily at the Cattledrome which is situated about; seven kilometres from Queenstown on the Shotover road near Arthur’s Point. Audiences are shown first a brief documentary film on New Zealand farming and then the stars, are introduced — Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn, Here-ford-Angus, Charolais, Belted Galloway, Red Poll, and Simmental bulls, and Ayrshire, Jersey, and Friesian milking cows. As each breed is introduced, the cattle mpke their entrance on to the stage and stroll unescorted to their appropriate stalls. Special see-through milking machines are used to give visitors an idea of the milking process. At the end of the show those who accept the invitation to try hand-milking the cows are presented with signed certificates. Anyone with a thirst is also offered an udder treat — warm milk straight from the bucket which, according to the director of the Cattledrome (Mr Bill Tapley), is exceptionally popular with Japanese visitors.