Young Levi is a powerboat champ
The South African junior powerboat-racing champion says he wants to follow in his dad's footsteps.
AN eight-year-old adrenalin junkie from La Lucia is now a junior powerboat-racing champion.
Levi Shepard recently won this title at the championships in Germiston. He is also the junior Tri-Cup Champion.
Speaking to Northglen News, Levi said he was very excited about holding these titles.
“I feel proud and excited to be a junior champion,” he said.
Levi started racing at the age of five, something which he learnt from his dad, Paul, who is a six-times F1 powerboat racing champion.The father and son spend many weekends practising at Hazelmere Dam.
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“I really enjoyed the latest event, but I feel I need to practise more. Powerboat-racing is fun, and what I love most about it is that I get to drive fast,” he said.
“I also love taking sharp corners and having to think quickly about my next move and how I’m going to pass the other drivers,” added Levi.
Speaking about his boat, he said it was aptly named ‘Hole-in-One’ because it had too many holes in it.
“My boat is made from fibreglass and is 18 years old. I think it’s time for a new one,” he said.
What motivated the youngster to get into the sport was watching videos of his dad racing.
Levi would watch the videos and look at his dad’s pictures over and over again until he decided that he would try to race. He learnt how to drive using a small development mouse boat, and the rest is history: Levi was hooked.
“I definitely want to follow in my dad’s footsteps and race even when I am grown up,” said Levi.
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