Held on a calm stretch of the Ruamahanga River near picturesque Martinborough, Empowering Ladies Day is a hands-on, initiative giving women the opportunity to step behind the wheel of a jet boat in a confidence-building environment. Designed for those new to driving, the day pairs each participant with an experienced instructor who offers one-on-one coaching. It’s not a classroom or a demonstration—it’s real, practical learning. Every woman who steps into the boat drives it, and in doing so, gains confidence and skills that can open doors to a whole new world of adventure.
Importantly, this event doesn’t suggest women are newcomers to jet boating—they’ve long been part of the scene, whether as commercial drivers, competitive racers, navigators, or active club members. However, unlike sports such as sailing—where women at the helm are increasingly celebrated on the international stage—or powerboat racing, like the UIM E1 Series where mixed mixed-gender teams and equal driving requirements are awarded, the visibility of women behind the wheel in New Zealand jet boating has grown; the awareness: simply more quietly. That’s starting to change. Events like this shine a light on what’s always been true: women have the skills, experience, and passion to lead on the water.
(As an aside, women feature prominently in many of New Zealand’s jetsprint teams, often taking on the high-pressure role of navigator. Far from being sidelined, they’re an essential part of the action—reading courses at speed, making split-second calls, and helping steer their team to podium finishes in one of the country’s fastest motorsports.)
There are exceptions, of course. In the media we find rare glimpses of women drivers of jet boats. In 2013, The Otago Daily Times highlighted Toni Chiddock, Dart River Jet’s first female driver, widely regarded as one of the company’s most skilled. A year later, Hukafalls Jet proudly announced the appointment of Sarah Van Glabbeek as a commercial driver at Huka Falls. Despite arriving with no prior boating experience, Sarah completed over 120 hours of training—well above the industry norm—to earn her licence.
Stories like Toni’s and Sarah’s of the time weren’t rare. Fiordland Jet tells the story of Abby Rankl who came to New Zealand in 2017 for “two months” and instead of leaving, became, at the time, the only American woman in New Zealand with a commercial jet boat licence—today she drives, promotes, and helps run Fiordland Jet’s operations. In April, Fiordland Jet have recently introduced their new commercial woman driver, Alex, to Facebook.
In 2019, the New Zealand Herald told the story of the New Zealand Jetsprint Championship held in Hawke’s Bay, where women made a strong impression, with half the competitors in the region’s three teams being female. Pip Thompson stood out as the only woman driving in the Superboat class with her all-female crew piloting The Bitches Box, a 1000hp machine. The sport, known for its intensity and danger, requires immense focus and experience—skills gained only through race time, and practice. (Below is Pip Thompson and navigator, Megan Brodie, racing at the Naki 500 – Methanex Aquatrack.)
Fast-forward to 2024: on the wild and remote Haast River, a local guide driving for Haast River Safaris impressed her passengers—who later shared their experience on The Slow Cycling Blog ‘—as a “formidable huntin’, shootin’, fishin’ woman.” The article highlighted how she piloted with absolute precision, reading the tight, shallow channels like a second language. Her knowledge of the riverbed was instinctive. For many women in jet boating, none of this is surprising. Skill, confidence, and competence at the helm are simply part of the job. Still, stories of women at the jetboat helm deserve to be seen and shared—not because they’re rare, but because they reflect the standard that’s already being set.
What Empowering Ladies Day does is take that legacy and give it space to grow. It offers a clear pathway for more women to step into jet boating not as passengers, but as drivers in their own right. Events like these are backed by a strong culture of inclusivity within Jet Boating New Zealand and its regional clubs. From gymkhana-style skill events to casual river runs, women are increasingly taking the wheel—and have been welcomed for it for many years. The water, after all, doesn’t care who’s driving. It simply responds to skill, instinct, and confidence.
Learn more about the Empowering Ladies Day from the New Zealand Jet Boating events page (date: 18 May 2025.)
