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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
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
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Fourteen year-old Ben from
Ashton-in-Makerfield
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