current games

team profiles

Team Ivor Smith Electrical

(George van Balen and Bradley Smith)

Team Ivor Smith Electrical

 

Country:
Team sponsor:
Sponsor website:
Current class:
Boat number:
South Africa
Ivor Smith Electrical www.ivorsmithelectrical.co.za
Blue Prints
111
Boat make:
Motor make:
Team based in: 		Aquarius
Tohatsu
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Pilot:
Name and surname:
Age:
Right hand / Left hand driver:
Height:
Weight:
Seasons competing:
Current National rating in class:
George van Baalen
29
Left hand driver
1.75 m
104 kg
6
Co-pilot:
Name and surname:
Age:
Height:
Weight:
Seasons competing:
Current National rating in class:
Bradley Smith
24
1.8 m
75 kg
2
Crew:
Mechanic name:
Seasons competing:

Greg Upton and Michael Hattingh
over 20 years experience between the two
Achievements:

George won the Development class in the World
Championships 2003 which were held in East London

George was ranked second in South Africa in the
Standard Class for the 2004 season

George has been awarded his Eastern Province Colours

George was ranked 11th at the 2007 World Championships
in the UK
Additional info

1. How did you got involved in the sport?

2. How long have you've been competing in the sport?

3. How long have you been competing as a team?

4. What do you do for a living?

5. Any other special talents other than inflatables?

6. Your message to interested parties in the sport, especially new pilots and co-pilots.

7. Message to other competitors in the 2009 Worlds

Pilot
1. I was introduced to the sport by a friend of mine
Jason Main, who then introduced me to Rowan Hawkes
and I bought my first boat from him and between
Greg Upton and Jane Jardine they taught me all I
know about the sport and racing

2. Since 2002

3. since 2007 - 2 seasons - but it feels like we have been
riding together for 100 years

4. Fortunate enough to be a Managing Member of my own
communications and CCTV business "Emerald Fire"

5. Making beautiful baby girls

6. You are only as fast as the boat you race, the props you use and the friends you roll with

7. Just pull over and let us pass please

 

Co-pilot
1. Saw George riding at Bluewater Bay and he asked if I wanted to go for a spin, and afterwards he asked if I wanted to race with him, and as they say the rest is history

2. 2 seasons

3. 2 seasons - but as George says it feels like a hellof a lot longer

4. Mananging Member of "Ivor Smith Electrical"

5. Lifesaving, Gokarting and Motorcross

6. Do it for the adrenalin and go big

7. Best wishes to all competitors and may the bestteam win

Team Ivor Smith Electrical in action