AS KEATON Watts launched on to a towering 18-foot wave at Terrigal this week, the professional jetski rider went from the scariest ­moment of his life to surfing nirvana in a flash.

As dozens of people looked on in disbelief near the surf club, the 30-year-old Terrigal daredevil sensed that the wave of his life was coming at a break known more for ripples than ripping two-storey high barrels.

“I saw it coming from the point and I raced out as fast as I could to get on it … and everything from then on was just slow motion,” the former Shelly Beach lifeguard recalled­.

“It was just so big and it felt like forever to get down the bottom of it. It was the best feeling I’ve ever had on a jet ski. It was better than doing my first backflip. It was way better than sex.

“It’s like the scariest thing you can ever do, but when you actually ride out of the wave it’s the best feeling you could ever experience.

“I was riding that wave for about 700m and a good 20 seconds. To be on a wave that powerful and big — the biggest I’ve ever seen at Terrigal, and I’ve lived here all my life — I was just in awe of Mother Nature at her best.”

The gnarly surf at Terrigal and Wamberal this week came about from the East Coast Low, which whipped up huge swells at the usually benign beaches.

Watts, who has a state-of-the-art jet ski worth about $30,000, was one of a handful to tackle the monster waves on Monday, but has copped criticism on social media for putting his life in danger.

“I can understand the concern, but at the same time it’s my life,” the father of two, who is in the earthmoving business, said.

“I’ve been doing this sport for 10 years, and I was a lifeguard before then.

“I had about eight people watching out for me, from one end of Terrigal beach to the other.”

In truth, Watts has risked life and limb since he was a boy.

He gave up motocross in his late teens after suffering serious injuries including brain swelling, broken ribs and a perforated bowel from falls.

But this adrenaline junkie was never going to take up a sedate sport. He soon rose through the jetski ranks to pro status and is now one of the world’s best.

His signature trick is the “Madonna flip”, which is performed as he takes a hand and foot off the ski while he’s upside-down.

“It’s my favourite move and looks like something Madonna would do on the dancefloor.

“My aim is to always put on a show, and that was as good as it gets on Monday,” Watts said.

KEATON Watts has called on Central Coast Council to back his dream of bringing a round of the national jetski titles to his home break.

“I want to bring the sport, and the best of the best, to fans here. I’ve already organised insurance and done risk assessments and traffic and environmental plans,” he said.

“Gosford Council put it in the too-hard basket, but I’m hopeful the new council will get on board with it. Yes, it’s a dangerous sport. But it’s one of the most spectacular things you’ll ever see.”

A council spokeswoman said: “Central Coast Council likes the idea of a national event being staged in our region that has the potential to attract widespread interest and boost the local tourism industry and economy.

“Due to the scale of the Aussie Pro Jet Ski Titles, an event of this nature will need to submit a Development Application (DA) and will require careful assessment and consideration.

“Consideration will need to be given to the potential impact on beach and coastal users, parking and traffic, as well as swimmers and surfers and the DA will help address these issues.

“Council is happy to talk to any applicant on these issues to ensure there is minimal impact to the local environment.”

Full article in the Daily Telegraph