Luke Barnes making waves in Perth for CFP.

At just 14 years old, Luke Barnes is making waves at Burswood Water Sports Centre in his race boat as a member of the Western Australian Speed Boat Club.

The club has been part of the Perth boating scene since the club was formed, in 1949 and is the only active boat racing club in WA.

Catering for several classes of race boats to accommodate all ages and budgets, the club facilitates racing for those as young as 10 years old.

Racing at what is arguably the best course in Australia, the boats are on the banks of the Swan River against the skyline of Perth.

Luke races in the Formula Future class which allows kids to get involved in the racing as well as provides experience for when they want to step up to the “big boats” later in life.

Junior boats are small outboard powered boats. There are horsepower restrictions (15hp in WA) for the respective age group classes.

Luke is the son of CFP’s WA Engineering Manager, Brandon Barnes who now moonlights as a race mechanic on the weekends. He has his family behind him with his mum Karin at the head of the team and the chief finance officer. You will notice Karins name on the boat if you look closely just in case Luke doesn’t clean his room!! Kristin is head of cheering as the number one sister.

So far Luke has raced a few rounds and had some great success with winning the cup for Round 1 at Lake Towerinning, and a third at Round 2 even with a DNF (don’t ask the mechanic how that happened).

We are proud to have a Custom Fluidpower boat racing around in Perth and look forward to watch Luke progress his racing career.