Alan Blackburn: NZ Commercial licence Maritime NZ licenced jet boat driver – (river) JBD-14202
Alan has been involved with boats from an early age. Since buying his first recreational jet boat in the late 1990s , he’s navigated rivers the length of New Zealand.
He has worked two summers driving commercial jet boats in the South Island just out of Wanaka. In 2007, Alan started Taumarunui Jet Tours with a new 12-seater commercial jet boat.
Alan’s lived and worked in rural New Zealand all his life. For the past 30 years that’s included running owning 380-hectare deer and beef farm with his wife Kerry, north of Taumarunui. This keeps him occupied when not skimming up and down the Whanganui River.
Robert Carter: NZ Commercial licence Maritime NZ licenced jet boat driver – (river) JBD-14202
Robert’s lifelong love of the Whanganui River began with being born and raised around here.
In the 1980s Robert and his wife Suzanne owned and operated a local canoeing and jet boating business, building up knowledge and experience on the river as well as meeting the people who call this area home.
A bit of a local expert, he’s lived at Kirikau (35km downstream from Taumarunui) for 30 years. With his family, he runs a 360 hectare sheep and beef farm, when not in his ‘happy place’ – on the Wanganui River! He admits to being ‘a little obsessed’ with the River, its spirit and the stories of its travellers and residents over the ages.
When it comes to travelling by jet boat or canoe, Robert has hundreds of hours under his belt in both recreational and commercial roles.