Fort St. John Jet Boat Crew Claims World Championship

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Among 26 jet boat racers from North America and the Southern Hemisphere, a Fort St. John boat crew stood head and shoulders above its competition at the 2024 World Jet Boat Championship earlier this month.

U357, or Unnatural Disaster, driven by Gord Humphrey and navigated by Jason Palfy, took the championship in both overall and unlimited classes at the event held in Oregon and California from May 4th to May 11th.

Meanwhile, Fort St. John’s other entry, CX 151 or Leroy, driven by Trapper Wolsley with navigation by Jimmy Jackson, finished fifth in the CX class, the victory taken by American Barry Pelkey.

Humphrey raced mistake-free throughout the six-day competition, which featured boats going through circuits with less than a metre of water.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Humphrey. “There has been plenty years racing without a championship and a lot of heartbreaks. I’m going to cherish this one for a long time.”

According to a Facebook post from Jet Boat Racing Canada, this was Humphrey’s second world title, his first coming in 2015.

Humphrey and Wolsley’s careers have spanned over a decade, with both drivers having raced worldwide.

The next World Jet Boat Championship in 2025 is set to take place in Hay River, Northwest Territories.