Wetbiking a serious sport in Europe

Press, 13 June 1986, Page 22

Wetbiking a serious sport in Europe

By

GRANT BRADLEY

Darting about the waters off Christchurch beaches on a wetbike might seem a pleasant pastime. However, the rigours of riding in international events can be anything but playful. Competitors are buffeted by heavy seas and strong winds and some take races so seriously that blows have been traded during, or after, an event.

Tnis is the experience of a Kaiapoi man, Ken Chandler, who, with Anthony Williams, of Christchurch, will be representing New Zealand in the fledging sport on the coming European championship circuit. Ken Chandler competed at . the inaugural wetbike ,TT world championships off the Isle of Man last September, finishing a creditable seventh, despite the fiercely competitive attitude of some more experienced rivals from Britain and France. fit’s a very spectacular sport and highly charged fights have been known to break out," he said. However, skill, fitness and the bike’s speed are the essence of wetbike riding. It produces a level of exhilaration and excitement that Ken Chandler believes could propel wetbiking into a boom sport during the late 1980 s. The two men will leave on Sunday to compete on the European circuit, wMfch includes a race orn-

the Thames River in London, a race across the English Channel and a circuit race on the River Seine in Paris. Circuit races in the waters off Saint Maxine, Saint Tropez and Dunkirk are also included in a gruelling schedule that will involve the world’s top riders. Races are typically held around a 2.3 km circuit, which includes a back straight and a series of turns around buoys. They are usually held over nine or 10 laps. Novelty events, which include trick riding, slalom racing and pillion rides, are also held. The variety of water types in Europe, from calm to potentially treacherous, will be a test of all-round skill and could suit the two Canterbury men, who have had good preparations in the surf off Scarborough Beach, and, more recently, the calmer waters off The Pines. Chandler describes wetbiking as a combination of three sports — jet boating, water ski-ing and motor-cycling. A wetbike had the power of a jet boat, the manoeuvrability of a person on skis and the feel and handling of a motor bike, he said. With a 750 cc motor mounted on front and skis at the front and back, a wetbike is able to reach

speeds of up to 55 km/h on the water. The bikes are powerful and robust and are able to punch through up to 4m waves. Hotdogging in surf is a favourite part of riding for Chandler and he likens it to trail-bike riding on a constantly changing surface. Wetbikes are relatively new, with commercial production beginning in the United States in the late 19705. The sport is strong in England and France, where the variety of water types combined with French flair make them the most competitive riders. Chandler’s interest in wetbikes goes back about five years. He first saw a bike in action in a James Bond film. He made inquiries and imported one from the United States. Learning to ride the bike was difficult. “The initial stages are hard, but once you’ve got the balance right progress is quick,” he said. Experience on road bikes and in water ski-ing helped, but Chandler believes that almost anyone can become proficient with practice. Wetbikes are not cheap. New bikes cost about $12,000 and second-hand machines, when available, about $6OOO. However, they are good value for family and groupTfcntertainment dur-

ing a day at the beach and unlike yachts or windsurfers can go out in any conditions. With the ease of getting to beaches, rivers or lakes for most New Zealanders, wetbikes offered tremendous opportunities for those interested in a newyexcit-

ing sport, or just having fun, said Chandler. While unsure of how he will fare in the European championships, Chandler said that no matter what the results the experience of competing against more seasoned rivals would be valuable.