Power meets grit: Coogee shark rescue hero Charlie Verco joins JAC Hunter
- JAC Hunter ambassador and NRL star Josh Addo-Carr welcomed Charlie Verco to the brand, presenting him with the keys to a JAC Hunter.
- Iron Series number-one seed Charlie Verco joins JAC Hunter after winning his fourth consecutive Paddleboard World Championship in record time and receiving the prestigious Rescue of the Year award for his role in the Coogee Beach shark rescue.
- The partnership brings together Verco’s elite performance and courage with JAC Hunter’s Project No Shortcuts ethos.
- The JAC Hunter PHEV Ute has landed, with vehicles arriving at dealerships across Australia starting this week.
The announcement comes as the JAC Hunter lands in Australia, with vehicles arriving at dealerships nationwide starting this week. Fellow JAC Hunter ambassador and NRL star Josh Addo-Carr joined Verco at Clovelly to mark the occasion.
The partnership brings together an athlete known for his elite performance, endurance and courage with a vehicle built around the same refusal to take shortcuts.
“Charlie is one of Australia’s most accomplished ocean athletes, but it is the character behind those achievements that makes him such a powerful ambassador,” said Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Motors Australia.
“The Hunter was developed according to our Project No Shortcuts ethos, with its power, efficiency and capability proven through rigorous engineering, local testing and tuning, and more than 100,000km of real-world validation on Australian roads. Charlie brings that same discipline and determination to everything he does. He puts in the work, proves himself through performance and never chooses the easy path. We are incredibly proud to welcome him as a JAC Hunter ambassador.”
The JAC Hunter delivers 360kW of class-leading power, combined fuel consumption of just 1.6L/100km[H2], a combined driving range of 1,005km[H3] and a 3,500kg braked towing capacity[H4], alongside off-road capability.
One of Australia’s leading ocean athletes
The 25-year-old Sydneysider has built an extraordinary sporting career through discipline, endurance and relentless preparation.
In July, Verco won his fourth consecutive Molokaʻi to Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championship, completing the race in record time of 4 hours, 17 minutes, and 53 seconds. The Iron Series star is now the competition’s number-one seed and the world’s number-two-ranked Ocean Series board paddler.
His accomplishments extend well beyond competition.
On 13 June 2026, Verco paddled towards the scene of a shark attack at Coogee Beach and helped rescue the injured woman, holding her by the arm and dragging her safely back to shore. These brave efforts were recognised at the 2026 Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence, where Verco received the prestigious Rescue of the Year award.
Verco said JAC Hunter’s Project No Shortcuts ethos immediately resonated with him.
"It’s very important to me that I choose partners that align with my values. I could see from my first conversation with the JAC Motors Australia team that we share those same traits," Mr Verco said.
“Their Project No Shortcuts ethos immediately resonated with me. There are no shortcuts when competing at an elite level; results come from consistently applying the discipline and dedication to put in the work."
“My life revolves around the ocean and taking on challenges that test me. I have a busy competition season ahead, and the Hunter is an ideal companion to get me through all the training, preparation and racing to come. Its power, range and off-road capability make it the perfect vehicle for everything I have coming up.”
Disclaimers:
[H2] Fuel consumption results achieved in ADR81/02 fuel consumption testing. Results produced in laboratory test conditions, using sample vehicles without fitment of accessories/customisation, and do not reflect real world driving. Figures should only be used for comparative purposes.
[H3] Combined range is theoretical based on NEDC test results. Actual driving range achieved may vary due to factors including but not limited to driving style, road and traffic conditions, environmental influences, vehicle condition, accessories fitted and battery age/condition. The combined range is an estimate of electric and fuel-powered range combined. These figures are intended as a guide only.
[H4] Towing capacity is subject to towbar/towball capacity. The capacity may be reduced if a non-genuine jac towbar is fitted.