Whitsunday Jetski Tours owner, Steve Ward and head Tour Guide, Sam Nikov, were involved in some serious action-packed jet skiing as they navigated 600kms of the North Queensland coastline southbound from Cooktown to Townsville.  With a support team including Steve’s wife, Toni, and their children Lachlan and Rhys, the team not only came home with the coveted Spirit Award for the event, but also raised over $8,000 for Variety – the Children’s Charity QLD.  Overall, the event raised more than $150,000 for the sick, disadvantaged and special needs children of Queensland.

Adding to the excitement of the event, the 2013 'Cooktown and Down' Yamaha Variety Jet Trekkers are now official world record holders for 'Longest Distance by a Group Riding for Charity on Personal Watercraft', with the 60 plus members completing a cumulative total of 17,788 kilometres - nearly half the circumference of the earth - to become the first holders of this World Record.

 “We are so proud to be part of such a successful event and playing our part in raising much needed funds for sick and disadvantaged children. To be part of a world record on top of that was an absolute bonus,’ owner Steve Ward said.

 “This year was particularly tough with the weather conditions. Some legs were cancelled due to weather and a cyclone warning was in place at the start of the event. It was a real challenge in the windy conditions, particularly on the leg from Lucinda to Townsville via Palm Island and Magnetic Island, when we travelled over 110 kilometres in one day in 25 knot winds and pounding into 2.5 metre seas for four hours straight without a break,’ said Steve.

“It was a tough ride but we would do it all over again and will be back again next year.  We really want to make a special mention and thank everyone who supported us with donations for the charity,’ said Steve.

The Whitsunday Jetski Junkies are already planning their participation in next year’s 2014 'Ride the Tide' Yamaha Variety Jet Trek, an action-packed week of jet skiing up the coast north bound from Port Macquarie to the Sunshine Coast.

The Whitsunday Jetski Tours team are gearing up the jetskis, preparing the support crew and ramping up the fundraising. In 48 days, Whitsunday Jetski Tours owner, Steve Ward and head Tour Guide, Sam Nikov will be completing the 2013 'Cooktown and Down' Yamaha Variety Jet Trek for Variety - the Children's Charity QLD.

The team, known as the ‘Whitsunday Jetski Junkies’, successfully completed last year’s Variety Jet Trek with the added accomplishment of being the third highest fundraiser in the event that year.  “We raised just under $5000 for Variety last year and this year we are aiming to double that.  It’s big call but we think we can do it and it is a charity we feel very passionate about,” said Steve.

Variety – the Children’s Charity is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to live, laugh and learn.  In 2012 alone, Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland was able to have a positive effect on the lives of over 55,000 Queensland children through granting in excess of $2.8million dollars worth of equipment & services to those children in need. The Yamaha Variety Jet Trek is held each year and since the events inception, Jet Trekkers have raised over a quarter of a million dollars.

This year’s challenge will see Sam and Steve involved in some action-packed jetskiing as they navigate 600kms of the North Queensland coastline southbound from Cooktown to Townsville. They will also visit schools along the way and experience first hand the help that funds raised bring to local children, families and communities.

“We have an absolute blast on the Variety Jet Trek and the people involved are plenty of fun, so we really do enjoy the week.  But the serious side is knowing that we are working towards the bigger goal of helping sick and disadvantaged children.  We really want to encourage people to dig deep and support this. Whitsunday Jetski Tours will close our regular operations while we are away doing the Variety Jet Trek and will cover all expenses involved ourselves.  We just ask that people donate to the cause,” said Steve.

To donate please visit http://www.everydayhero.com.au/whitsunday_jetski_junkies_2013.

Owners Steve and Toni Ward were ecstatic with their success on the evening, particularly for a business that has only been in operation for two years.  
 

“It was amazing to have achieved success in winning three awards but it really does represent the hard work and sheer dedication by everyone involved in being what drives the business forward,’ Steve said.
 

“We really want to acknowledge our staff and particularly our tour guides who are so good at what they do. A special mention must go to Sam “Boris” Nikov, our head tour guide.  He has the same passion as we do for the business and the industry, and has been an integral part in the success of the business.  We also appreciate the support of the local agents and community and of course all the guests who have travelled with us in our first two years of operation. Our growth over this time has been phenomenal,” said Steve.
 

The People’s Choice Award was won on public votes and Steve believes this was a result of the personal one on one experience that they offer. 
 

“Every guest has a memorable personal experience from the time they book until they are dropped back to their accommodation.  I’m sure this personal approach and dedication to customer service would have helped with our success in winning the People’s Choice Award as well as the Smile Whitsundays Customer Service Award.  We are also incredibly thrilled with our Adventure Tourism win, as we see ourselves as such a unique tour operator, offering such a diverse range of adventure activities in just in a few hours.”
 

Sam Nikov took on the challenge of jetskiing the 700km trek from the Clarence River to Tin Can Bay to raise funds for children’s charity Variety Queensland, with Whitsunday Jetski Tour owners Steve and Toni Ward as the support team. This year, 30 riders competed with the support of 50 road crew and $62 000 overall was raised for Variety Queensland.

“It was a great week spending time with fellow jetskiers, but most importantly, knowing that we were working towards the bigger goal of helping sick and disadvantaged children is the most satisfying part for everyone who competed in Jet Trek. It is a hard ride but well worth it and Sam did a fantastic job,’ Toni said.

Steve, Toni and their children also had the opportunity to catch up with Grant Denyer as he was covering Jet Trek for breakfast show, Sunrise, which was a highlight for all involved and great exposure on a national level.

“We really want to thank everyone for their support with our fundraising and we are looking forward to doing it all again next year,” said Toni.

If you are interested in helping us raise funds to support this wonderful cause, please click the following link to make some sort of donation. Big or small...it all counts!

www.everydayhero.com.au/whitsunday_jetski_junkies

During this time while the crew is away, daily tours will not be operating. The last tour will run this Friday and will then temporarily cease operation for the period Saturday 11 February - Monday 20 February inclusive.  Our first day back out on the water will be Tuesday 21 February so we look forward to recommencing then!

Guests travelling on the Airlie Adventure or Daydream Extreme tours were able to steer near the ship at anchor, with many of great photo opportunities.  What a show stopper and an awesome sight!

Even though we are looking forward to the weather improving, the Whitsundays are still smiling and open for business so please come and visit!!

For more information visit www.wcbia.com.au.