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Users of one of the most “addictive toys” to take on the water have started a Facebook page to promote shared-use of the Murray River.
Avid jet skiers Jamie Conroy and Paul Marshall created the Albury Wodonga Jet Ski Community page last summer to promote safe and responsible riding.
The pair come from a rescue background and have seen first-hand what it's like when things go wrong on the water.
Mr Conroy said while there had always been a handful of jet skiers who gave the hobby a bad name, he was hoping to inform the community on what was acceptable.
“We have a lot of people come to the Border and act up, we are trying to clean that up,” he said.
“At the same time, we also want those who do jet ski responsibly to have a voice.”
The men have been content sharing with similar pages in the US and Europe and have developed a code of ethics which jet skiers should endeavour to follow.
They post tips about new technology, safety and light hearted information about the sport.
Mr Conroy said simple things like a phone and torch could save people a lot of trouble while out skiing.
“Last summer Paul and I came across two guys at 7.30pm who had broken down on jet skis in the Murray near the top-arm of the Wodonga Creek,” he said.
“Inexperienced people ride up middle of river and suck-up rocks which shuts-down their jet ski.
“They are left with no steering and are just floating.
“These guys had floated about 10km down stream from camp.
“We saw their skis, got one going and towed the other down stream.
“We told them to call their parents because it was getting dark, but they said they had no phone.
“If we hadn’t have been sitting there, how would they have gotten home?”
Mr Marshall said he hoped the page would promote cooperation with other water users.
“Sometimes people do mistreat the waterway but we find predominantly they are from out of town,” he said.
“This page gives us a voice and an opportunity to follow-up bad behaviour.
“It's also a place where people share their trips around the region and let other users know if the water is good and what to pack.”
To report incidents on the water call 131 236.
