Zapcat & Vortex Racing need part-time activity instructors to work mainly weekends at our Southampton HQ and to join our fun Events Team delivering adrenaline pumping Zapcat experiences in a safe and professional manner.

If you can demonstrate the following then we would like to hear from you;

Essential
•Powerboat Level II with Commercial Endorsement*
•Minimum 12 months recent experience working on the water
•Age 18
•Proven Skill of driving tiller steer boats
•Experience of working with customers and excellent customer service skills
•Live locally - with own transport due to location
•Personal qualities - Able to work as part of a team, Flexible, Reliable, Adaptable, Responsible, Ability to work under pressure and Safety Conscious

Desirable
•First Aid Certification*
•Outboard Engine Maintenance Qualifications*/Experience
•VHF License*
•Advanced Powerboat Instructor License*

What We Offer
•Operating All Year Round
•Good rates of pay
•Full Training
•Opportunities for further training / qualifications for the right person

For further information on what we do please visit our websites www.vortex-events.com and www.zapcat-racing.com

Please email your CV to the Admin & Accounts Manager louise@zapcat-racing.com.

*certified copies of all certificates will be required
References will also be checked if successful

Zapcat Time Trial & Driving Challenge

This is the only powerboat experience in the UK that is run and delivered by the current National Zapcat Championship winning team, where all of the instructors and staff have all competed.  Not only do they hold RYA race licences but also safety boat, advanced powerboat and instructor tickets.

Think about it as if you were going on a driving day experience and you arrive and find out that the instructor is either the British or World Touring Car Champion!

 How good would that be?!

(Actually they both love our Zapcat experiences and one of them went for a swim!)

“Faster & more exhilarating than any Track Day”

Zapcats are lightweight, high speed, insanely agile, adrenaline pumping, performance powerboats.  Great fun on calm water and a huge grin factor in waves and in the air!

Just under 50mph top speed, up to 3 G in a turn, handle as if on rails, leap 6ft into the air and you start to understand what these boats can do!

With a power to weight ratio of 340bhp per tonne you are going to have an adrenalin pumping, action filled ride... not as a passenger but as a co-pilot as it is your responsibility to balance the boat for the super fast turns!

Navigate your way around the Zapcat Championship style course and set the best time possible, communication, nerve and teamwork will be at a premium.

After your time-trial against the clock, it will be your turn to take control of this pure performance powerboat with your instructor as your co-pilot.*

Five minutes will feel like an hour, any more will feel like a day!

*Zapcat driving by guests is subject to the conditions on the day and it will be at the safety officers’ discretion.

Honda Time Trial & Driving Challenge

A mono hull which will seat the instructor and up to 4 passengers, like the Zapcats these are one-design race boats without the final adjustments but they do have the comfort of seats and the familiar controls of a steering wheel!

“Then the guy said - It’s your turn to take the controls!”

The Hondas handle in a very different way to the Zapcats but the instructors, some of whom are current or ex-racers will provide practical tuition and guide you through the basics.

It is then time to open up the throttles for each guests’ own practice around the circuit around an offshore racing course.

Everyone will have the opportunity to drive, testing their nerve and powerboat driving skills.

The aim is simply the fastest lap time!

Driving / Time Trial Circuit Racing Times

For example with an all day event of 20 people split into two groups and two sessions of 2.5 hours on the water. 2 Zapcats, 3 Hondas & 1 RIB

Zapcat time trials as a co-pilot in the region of up to 15 laps of the course in two boats, two timed laps and either a driving session or a wake jumping session about 25 minutes in the Zapcat and two hours on the RIB either at speed or stationary supporting the Zapcats.

The Honda session will last a minimum of 15 minutes driving the boats with the instructor coaching, however the ride at speed will exceed two hours.

We will bet that you will finish the day with huge smiles and will feel exhausted ... speed on water has no comparison.

RIB Ride Adventure

Time to hang on but relax a little after the extreme thrills of the Zapcats, experience the high-speed performance of a big RIB, capable of fast speeds and yet ultimately controllable in all sea states.

“Quite simply the best corporate day I have been on for years”

With a large group and a fleet of RIBs available some close formation high speed driving adds an extra dimension in addition to the different perspective of the coastline and historic locations.
 

RIB Treasure Hunt Adventure

Designed for the highly competitive, the Rib Treasure Hunt is the team based challenge to perfectly complement the Zapcat time trials.

“Quite simply the best corporate day I have been on for years”

Capable of stunning speeds and yet ultimately controllable in all sea states, these immaculately presented Ribs are an adrenaline high.

Board the fleet for a stunning close formation high speed blast through the Solent en route to the various Treasure Hunt locations.

Expect to go ashore in Cowes on The Isle of Wight. With both land and sea based clues, the challenges will involve charts, clues, stop watches, Polaroid cameras, and objectives to complete…

‘’What can I say? A brilliant day out! The best hospitality we will do this year – I can guarantee’’

With a number of stretching and entertaining challenges, there will be sufficient opportunity for every team member to take the lead in areas of their greatest strength from the technical to the outrageously creative

The Polaroid cameras are particularly important and the pictures will guarantee a fun prize giving as they are mercilessly shared amongst all participants.

Blade Run Powerboat Rallies

Into its fifth year the Blade Run powerboat rally is surging forward onto a global platform as a must do event, and contrary to popular belief the majority of participants are not all super models, media moguls, movie stars, celebrities and sporting stars... but there maybe a few!

The only thing you'll need is good pair of shades, your deck shoes....and of course your very own high performance powerboat!

Britannia may have ruled the waves, but Blade Run will be making them again in 2008, with the most exclusive, high octane and exhilarating event in the London & Ibiza season.

This thrilling adventure will contain more horse-power than a Grand Prix grid, with glistening powerboats, high speed RIBs and luxury performance yachts thundering across to each location, a visual spectacle that will have participants’ hearts racing and huge grins.

These unforgettable journeys include VIP Parties, Live Music, Excellent Dining, Stunning Hotels and most importantly new Friendships.

Ultimately this very special and unforgettable lifestyle rally is both exhilarating and rewarding, and it will definitely make you feel very much alive!!

Dates, Charter Rates and Corporate Packages for the Blade Runs around the world will be announced and released in early 2010.

Meeting Point

Depending on the event, we have two meeting points. See our Event Locations.
 
What to Wear

You will be supplied with a top of the range Typhoon Dry suit, boots & gloves as well as a lifejacket and helmet for the Zapcat experience.

In cold weather

Please ensure that you are wearing several warm layers, the thinner the better, if you want to wear a beanie or ski style hat then go for it, style goes out of the window over warmth!

In very hot weather

Please bring a spare pair of shorts and a t-shirt as you will probably not wear the Dry suit, beach wear is ok too. Lots of sunscreen and a hat that won’t blow away is important too.

The rest of the time jeans and a top are good.

Download Event Instructions Word document

What to Bring

·  Completed indemnity form  (download word document)
·  Camera
·  Sunglasses
·  Bottle of water
·  Sun screen
·  A towel is optional, you may want a shower after
·  A big smile

Please do not bring

·  Huge holdalls as they do not fit into our Dry bags
·  Expensive jewellery – please remove all ear rings
·  Grumpy head (our drivers don't like it and you may go for a swim)

Timetable

Exact timings depend on final group size and start time

08:45   Coffee / Tea / Orange Juice / Light Breakfast on arrival (if selected)
09:00   Registration
09:15   Challenge & Safety Briefings including Zapcat DVD
09:30   Change into Drysuits
10:00   Depart Ocean Village
10:15   Zapcat Time Trials, Driving Challenge, Wake Jumping & RIB Blast

13:00    Lunch (Excellent Bar Lunch / Hot & Cold Buffet and soft drinks in addition to price)

14:30    Safety Briefing for Hondas
14:45    Honda Driving & High Speed Circuit Time Trials
17:15   Return to Ocean Village
17:30   Pimms Reception & Champagne Prize Giving*

*Champagne for fastest individual in the Zapcats & Hondas (not included in cost).

For larger groups the sessions will be split into two with a switch over at lunchtime , this reduces costs and the need for extra boats.

Event Extras

·  Drinks – Alcoholic & Soft
·  Light Breakfast or Lunch on arrival or Lunch during the event
·  Branding of 5 x Yellow 3metre inflatable Buoys & Flags on the RIBs
·  Event Photographer / Film Crew – Video Diary
·  Helmet Cam Footage & Event DVD
·  Team Crew Clothing
·  Champagne and Additional Prizes
·  Accommodation, Meals, Transfers & Transport
·  Gift Packs for Promotional / Product Launch Days
·  Guest appearance/drive/after dinner talk by Shelley Jory – Honda Champion

Clothing

All guests will be provided with top of the range drysuits, boots, gloves, helmets and lifejackets whilst in the Zapcats unless the weather is very hot, in which case t-shirts and shorts will be acceptable.

Only waterproof jackets will be provided in the Hondas – remember it is always cooler at sea than on land and then add high speed!!

Timetable

Exact timings depend on group size

08:30   Registration
08:45   Light Breakfast on arrival
09:00   Adventure / Challenge & Safety Briefing
09:15   Change into Drysuits & Wet Weather gear (if required)
10:00   Morning activity – bottle of water provided

13:00   Lunch (Hot & Cold Buffet and soft drinks)

13:45   Change into Drysuits & Wet Weather gear (if required)
14:15   Afternoon activity – bottle of water provided
17:30   Pimms Reception & Prize Giving*

* Medals for Treasure Hunt winners and Champagne for fastest individuals in the Zapcats.

Clothing

All guests will be provided with top of the range drysuits, boots, gloves, helmets and lifejackets whilst in the Zapcats unless the weather is very hot, in which case t-shirts and shorts will be acceptable. Waterproof jackets & trousers will be provided in the RIBs – remember it is always cooler at sea than on land and then add high speed!!