Thursday 28th February 2008
(ref:
WLCT 20/2008)
Ben Morse has dreams of becoming a world champion - the first ever Junior Powerboat Racing World Champion. Now, thanks to Ashton Leisure Centre, his dreams could become a reality.
Fourteen year-old Ben from Ashton-in-Makerfield is a member of Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club (LPRC) based at Carr Mill Dam near St. Helens. He has been competing for five years and is already a double British Champion and recently won a bronze medal at the European Championships in Latvia. Ben is also the only British junior to have ever competed in the sport internationally.
The demands of Ben’s sport mean he needs to have excellent upper body strength and high levels of endurance especially for the international competitions. When Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Active Life team heard of Ben’s predicament they were quick to offer Ben the chance to train at Ashton Leisure Centre’s Profiles Fitness Suite.
With expert guidance from Ashton’s trained fitness instructors, Ben is now heading towards the new season feeling fitter than ever.
Ben said: “The new season starts in March and the Worlds are in June so I was really keen to be at my best to make sure I can compete at the very top level. My team has the technical expertise and provide me with great support on the water but I just needed that extra bit of help to improve my fitness. I love training at Ashton there is a good atmosphere here and the equipment and expertise is second to none. I really appreciate the Trust’s guidance.”
Powerboat racing is popular in the UK and abroad. Junior drivers can start at the age of nine and like Ben, would start in the JT250 class. Junior training days are an excellent introduction to the sport and are available to newcomers at LPRC (see www.lprc.info). The boats compete in different classes, racing at inland venues such as Carr Mill Dam and Barrow-in-Furness.
Commercial Manager for Active Life Mike Lyons said:
“When Ben’s mum contacted me I suggested she bring him along to Ashton Leisure Centre to see what we could do for him. I think he was surprised at the quality of our facilities, but all of our Profiles suites have the very best Techno Gym equipment used by sports professionals the world over. At Ben’s age there are some restrictions on what equipment he should use because he is still growing. That’s where the expert advice comes in, hopefully we can contribute in some way to Ben’s development and his future success. We wish him the best of luck for the future.”
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust manage six Profiles Fitness Suites at Ashton Leisure Centre, Robin Park Sports Centre, Leigh Indoor Sports Centre, Hindley Leisure Centre, Howe Bridge Sports Centre and Wigan International Pool. For further information visit www.wlct.org/activelife.
