The 2026 Yamaha Variety Jet Trek – an annual week-long Jet Ski ocean ride for charity – has raised $276,578 to help sick and disadvantaged kids, bringing the fund-raising total to more than $4.4 million over 28 years since 1998.
A field of 70 Jet Ski riders – including more than a dozen first-time participants – were supported by more than 100 road crew and officials as they travelled south approximately 600km from Townsville to Mackay on the Queensland coast (4 to 9 May 2026).
The event started in crocodile-infested waters in the far north before taking in the picturesque Whitsundays off the coast of Airlie Beach.
This year there were 52 Yamahas (74 per cent of the field) and 18 Sea-Doos (26 per cent of the field). No Kawasaki Jet Skis participated.
The Yamaha WaveRunners were late model FX HO or FX SVHO skis, while most Sea-Doos were ST3-based models (a mix of Fish Pro, Explorer Pro and GTX Limited skis).
As with previous years the Jet Skis hit the water in groups of 10 each morning, as support crews followed by road with empty trailers to retrieve the riders at the end of each leg.
It was the second time in 11 years (and the second year in a row) the event completed every leg – with no cancellations due to severe weather – after organisers switched a planned rest day to a ride day to take advantage of favourable conditions.
While conditions were mostly calm in the mornings, most teams battled high winds and huge swell in the afternoons, turning each leg of the journey into a test of endurance.
The weather turned for the worse on the last day with the wind gusting at 25 knots – though not enough to prompt a cancellation by authorities – and approximately half the field opted to do the final leg by road.
Those who hit the water on the final day said it was among the toughest riding conditions they’d experienced, but were glad to have completed the entire journey.
2026 Yamaha Variety Jet Trek recap:
- Day 1: Townsville to Ayr (100km)
- Day 2: Ayr to Bowen (114km)
- Day 3: Bowen to Airlie Beach (103km)
- Day 4: Whitsundays Loop (117km)
- Day 5: Airlie Beach to Mackay (125km)
Sydney-based Peter Locock is the only participant to have ridden a Jet Ski in all 28 Variety Jet Trek events to date.
His brother Paul Locock has also clocked up 28 years – with the past 24 years in a row on the water and the first four years as road crew.
Jet Trek is turning into a family affair for the Locock team.
Peter’s son Max joined the event four years ago (in 2023) but the 2026 Jet Trek saw Peter’s daughter Grace riding in the event for the first time.
Above: Father-and-son team Peter Locock (right) and Max Locock (left) on the 2025 Jet Trek in Tasmania.
Below: Paul Locock on the 2026 Jet Trek in Queensland.
The road crew for the Locock brothers, Gary Boon, also passed the 28 year milestone this year.
The next rider with the most Jet Trek experience, Townsville-based Ryan Lacaze (pictured below), this year clocked up his 25th event in a row.
Although it is not a race, the Yamaha Variety Jet Trek is a test of endurance – and participants raise money for the children’s charity to be able to take part.
In 2027, the 29th running of the Yamaha Variety Jet Trek will travel from Port Macquarie on the mid north coast of NSW to Brisbane Queensland from 16 to 22 May 2027.
To find out more about the 2027 Yamaha Variety Jet Trek, click here for the official website.
Yamaha Variety Jet Trek recent fund-raising history:
2026: $276,000
2025: $261,000
2024: $385,000
2023: $340,000
2022: $365,000
2021: $194,000
2020: $312,000
2019: $404,000 (record)
2018: $380,000
2017: $270,000
Variety Jet Trek event history:
2026 – Townsville to Mackay
2025 – Hobart to Devonport
2024 – Kingscliff to Gladstone
2023 – Batemans Bay to Coffs Harbour
2022 – Mackay to Port Douglas
2021 – Caloundra to Gladstone
2020 – Coffs Harbour to Sunshine Coast
2019 – Bundaberg to Airlie Beach
2018 – Airlie Beach to Mission Beach (second, shortened event)
2018 – Sydney to Yamba
2017 – Mission Beach to Airlie Beach
2016 – Great Ocean Road Portland to Phillip Island
2015 – Yeppoon to Sanctuary Cove
2014 – Port Macquarie to Mooloolaba
2013 – Cooktown to Townsville
2012 – Grafton to Tin Can Bay
2011 – Townsville to Halliday Bay
2010 – Bundaberg to Kingscliff
2009 – Mission Beach to Airlie Beach
2008 – Capricorn Resort to the Gold Coast
2007 – Grafton to Noosa
2006 – Rainbow Beach to Ballina
2005 – Yeppoon to Caloundra
2004 – No event
2003 – Raby Bay to Hervey Bay
2002 – Townsville to Mackay
2001 – Townsville to Port Douglas
2000 – Coffs Harbour to Hervey Bay
1999 – Yeppoon to the Gold Coast
1998 – Yeppoon to the Gold Coast
MORE: Variety Jet Trek celebrates 25 years
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