A 17-year-old European jet-ski champion has become Hornsea Inshore Rescue’s latest addition to its team of rescuers.
Jack Wells, from Fossehill, Brandesburton, first rode a jet-ski at age four and by the time he was eight he could be regularly seen riding his own jet-ski at Fossehill Jetski Centre.
At the age of 11, Jack had his first competitive race in the British Championship series at Tattershall in Lincolnshire. Since then, he has competed at several European venues and won a number of championships including becoming the European Junior Champion in 2018 at Barcelona, British Sport Open Champion and British Amateur Sprint Champion in 2019, and in both 2021 and 2022 he became British Pro Sport GP Champion.
Jack attended Hornsea School and Language College and then Trinity House Nautical College.
He currently works at Fossehill Jetski Centre as a specialist jet-ski mechanic and generally assists with the running of the centre. His goal is to become a professional jet-ski racer and world champion.
Jack is now undergoing thorough training at Hornsea Inshore Rescue and is looking forward to becoming a fully qualified crew member by the time he reaches 18, the minimum age for crewing the lifeboat. He aims to be a fully fledged member by this summer. Jack has already completed much of the training, including that for shore-based crew, and he will shortly be taking his tractor driving course and qualification.
Jack believes his experience will help the organisation with jet-ski training and maintaining Hornsea’s two quick-response rescue jet-skis.
He said: “I was at first very surprised to find that Hornsea Inshore Rescue was an independent organisation and not part of the RNLI.
“They are an amazing group of people who made me welcome from the start. I couldn’t wish for a better team and I’m looking forward to the future with the organisation and whatever it may bring.
“I also hope that my jet-ski racing profile will help spread the word and bring in more of the funds we need to keep saving lives.”
Sue Hickson-Marsay, station manager and Hornsea Inshore Rescue chairman, said: “We are so pleased to welcome young new crew members to join our happy, experienced and well-qualified crew.
“Any new members will be made to feel very much at home and will receive training at a pace to suit their needs. Just give me (07796 257989) or Ian (01964 534302) a call and we can arrange for you to come and meet the crew and see if it’s for you.”
