Shotover Jet annual locals’ day to raise funds for youth

Shotover Jet annual locals’ day to raise funds for local youth

Leading tourism giant Shotover Jet will host its massive annual local’s day on Saturday November 15 with 100% of monies raised going to a not-for-profit organisation that improves the lives of local youth.

The Queenstown adventure tourism pioneer celebrated its three millionth passenger just three years ago and next year will celebrate 50 years of business, making it one of the original adrenalin activities in the country.

Shotover Jet General Manager Clark Scott said the day was a great opportunity for locals to experience the ‘world’s most exciting jet boat ride’ and raise money for a “worthy cause”.

“The local community – along with the rest of the world - watched on earlier this year as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took to the ‘Big Reds’ grinning from ear to ear,” he said.

“It’s time for locals to be treated like royalty and enjoy ‘the world’s most exciting jet boat ride’. It’s a chance for people to enjoy the thrill of a lifetime right in their own backyard. Who knows some people may even get to sit where the Royal couple did.”

The annual Shotover Jet local’s day is a pre-cursor to the company’s other major community event ‘The Shotover Jet Christmas Cracker – on Saturday 6 December.

Held to say “thanks” to its local community it will be running jet boat trips at special prices. This year locals can take advantage of $25 adult and $10 child jet boat rides and proceeds will be donated to The Wakatipu Youth Trust.

A non-government/non-profit organisation governed by a registered Charitable Trust, the trust’s dedicated youth workers enable young people aged 10-24 years to achieve positive outcomes in their lives by providing support and advocacy.

On the day Mr Whippy will be providing ice creams at Shotover River beach and there will be entertainers, face painting, balloon artists and jugglers to keep the kids - and of course mum and dad - entertained throughout the day.

The celebration will continue with DJ Reuben from Strawberry Sound spinning some tunes to keep the atmosphere lively and youth workers and kids from the trust will be running a fundraising sausage sizzle.

Wakatipu Youth Trust team leader Jacqui Moir said the trust and children were “absolutely delighted” that Shotover Jet will donate all proceeds from the local’s day to them.

“As a not-for-profit agency we only exist due to the kind donations of others and funding. We really want to do Queenstown youth and their families proud and not just make a difference but BE the difference and we’ve come a long way in just a short few years since the merger of Queenstown’s two youth trusts.”

One of the trust’s key assets was an eight-seater van which transported children to activities in and outside of the Wakatipu and enabled the trust to extend their services to Glenorchy.

Unfortunately in late August the ‘DARE’ van -as it was fondly known -met its untimely demise.

“Having our own vehicle is the pivotal difference in keeping both the cost of producing activities down and opening up our ability to provide a wide range of activities including those further afield outside of the Wakatipu,” said Ms Moir.

“We’re in desperate need of a new vehicle. We hope all funds raised from the Shotover Jet Local’s Day can go towards a new van which will enable us to continue the good work we do. We’re so grateful to them and all the locals we hope will come down and say hi on the day,” she said.

Locals will need to present a utilities bill (dated within six months) and photo ID to access special fares. Ticket sales are cash only on the day at its operations base at Arthurs Point only. Children under five years – and at least 1metre in height - can ride for free.

For enquiries phone 0800 SHOTOVER.

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