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Ocean enthusiasts lap up the ultimate in water sports

Francesca MannGeraldton Guardian

Geraldton residents and visitors can experience the foreshore from a different perspective with the arrival of a new water sport equipment hire business.

Officially opened on Boxing Day, Ultimate Watersports provides commercial water sports hire and activities, including jet skiing, tubing and kayaking.

Co-director Lindsay Cannon said he hoped the locally-run business on Town Beach would offer tourists another reason to stay.

“Geraldton has one of the best foreshores,” he said.

“We need to stop people driving past Geraldton, and this gives them extra activities so at least they’re staying an extra night.

“You don’t have to leave Geraldton to do fun stuff.”

Catering to all skill levels, Ultimate Watersports runs lessons on how to control and operate the equipment safely.

While the jet pack, or Flyboard X, looks challenging, Mr Cannon said people were able to fly in five minutes.

“Everyone gets up in the air or you get your money back,” he said.

Operating for nearly a month, the team has seen a diverse mixture of people hiring equipment, ranging from young children to those in their 60s.

Patrons do not need a skipper’s licence to operate the jet skis and they are supervised at all times.

Operations manager Graham Hogg said safety was the main priority.

“We go out on separate jet skis, just in the immediate vicinity,” he said.

“You also don’t have to worry about logistics — it’s already set up and ready to go.”

The City of Greater Geraldton council approved a one-year licence for the business early in December.

Mayor Shane Van Styn, who strongly supported the idea, said it had “the potential to significantly boost” tourism in Geraldton.

Ultimate Watersports is open seven days a week, weather permitting.

The team plans to operate in Exmouth during winter.

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