Taylor Jellis with her trophies and speed boat.
Camera IconTaylor Jellis with her trophies and speed boat. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Carramar 13-year-old is speed boat state champion

Tyler BrownWanneroo Times

THOUGH not old enough to hold a driver’s licence, 13-year-old Taylor Jellis is comfortable at high speed.

Not on the road though, the open water is her field of choice, with Taylor recently crowned as one of the best speedboat racers in the state.

The St Stephen’s School Carramar Year 8 student recently took out three titles, including the State Champion Award and WA Speedboat Club Champion for the 15 horsepower junior category and the Club Consistency Award, demonstrating serious skills for a young racer.

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It didn’t take long for a love of speedboat racing to develop for Taylor, who only starting racing two years ago.

“My cousin and I went down to watch one of the race meets and at the end we got to have a go in the boat and just go around a couple of times,” she said.

“Then when they had the next race meet, we were racing.”

Proud mum Leigh Jellis knew Taylor would become obsessed with the sport.

“That’s all it needed to get them in the boats and we haven’t been able to get them out since,” she said.

Taylor said her interest in the unique sport has filtered through to her extended family, making competitions all the more exciting.

“Mum comes down to help out and Dad races in the 15 horsepower seniors and the 25s,” she said.

“And my cousin also races in the 15 horsepower juniors with me.”

The sport sees Taylor cruising the Swan River most weekends in summer and takes her to some regional areas of WA.

“Race meets are at Lake Towerrinning and Lake Dumbleyung, which are camping weekends away, but our home ground is Burswood,” Mrs Jellis said.

Despite her recent achievements, Taylor’s goal is to go even faster.

“When I have enough money, I do want to get a faster boat and get into the higher classes because that seems fun,” she said.