FORGET flies, fish or submerged logs. Water-skiers in this weekend's Southern 80 have a new challenge to overcome - locusts.
Victoria's Department of Primary Industries has warned flying locusts may pose a safety threat to skiers participating in the annual race meet, held on the Murray River between Torrumbarry and Echuca.
Young hoppers in northern Victoria and southern NSW are expected to mature into flying adult locusts over the next few weeks, according to DPI state locust co-ordinator Warren Medwell.
Mr Medwell said the locusts reaching maturing could coincide with the Southern 80 competition.
He urged participants to take precautions to stay safe, should they collide with a lone locust or a swarm.
"They may be small, but if they hit a fast-paced skier's bare skin they can cause injury," Mr Medwell said.
"It's particularly important skiers protect their eyes with visors or goggles."
In a notification to skiers, the DPI said locusts had "a significant amount of body fat and on impact will leave a residue of body parts and fat".
The DPI and race organiser the Moama Water Sports Club are urging skiers to wear long-length ski suits and helmets with visors.
They also advise skiers to get updates on the locust threat from race officials before their event and decide whether to bail out of the race or continue if locusts are encountered.
Mr Medwell said the extent of locust numbers would not be known until closer to the event.
"It is unlikely that huge swarms of locusts will fly through heavily treed river banks, but they can break into small groups to get through so its best for skiers to be prepared," he said.
Flying locusts may also constitute a driving hazard for motorists in the area.
A motor safety fact sheet and a skier safety fact sheet are available on the DPI website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts
