Jermal Woolridge has assumed the role of president of the Bermuda Power Boat Association.

The experienced racer, who also competes in kickboxing, ran unopposed for the vacant commodore’s position after his predecessor, Janae Nesbitt, stepped down at the organisation’s annual general meeting.

Woolridge decided to throw his hat into the ring after being strongly urged to do so and was eventually nominated by fellow members.

“I’ve been involved in the sport for a number of years and have the support, so I said ‘let’s give it a try and see what happens’,” he told The Royal Gazette. “With the backing of some members who were there I decided to step up.”

High on Woolridge’s agenda is the relaunch of the association’s youth programme, which was suspended last year.

“First and foremost it’s to get the junior programme back up and running,” he said.

“Last season we were unable to continue the junior programme that had been running for about five years consecutively before that. So we want to get it back up and running and also expanding because this is where the racers come through.

“This is where they learn about water, learn about boat safety, learn about operation safety and the hope for them as they get older is to jump into the bigger boats and continue in the sport. That’s the main goal and like any other sport you need new blood.”

Woolridge said the committee are also in the process of enhancing the association’s senior racing programme.

“There’s some stuff in the works but I can’t really speak on it right now,” he said.

“But I have confidence that our objectives can be met and with the team that I have there’s no reason why the job cannot be done to a satisfactory standard.”

The BPBA executive committee consists of vice commodore Darius Zuill, rear commodore Shane Madeiros, secretary Tasha McLean, treasurer Christopher Roque and flag officers Geoffrey Willoughby, Shaki Easton, Joey Trott, Shawn Butterfield, Jody Carreiro, Tai Bean, Josh Holder and Cleveland Maybury, who also serves as junior programme director.