Jet Boating

The "waterjet" was originally built by Bill Hamilton, later and more formally know as Sir Charles William Feilden Hamilton, in 1954. The boat was designed to navigate the narrow and shallow rivers in the Queenstown area, such as the Shotover and Kawarau rivers. In 1960, Kawarau Jet became the first commercial jetboat company in the world, and is still running today, along with Shotover Jet, and other small companies.

As they propel themselves, the front lifts from the water, so there is little drag on the boat. For this reason, jetboats can run in less than 30cm of water, and are highly maneuverable at extreme speeds, amounting to an exhilarating, torque-filled ride, through narrow gorges and rivers. The jetboat can perform some very scary moves, such as the "Hamilton Turn", where the jetboat spins 180 degrees and stops within a body length of the boat.

This week's featured Jet Boating activities in are: