Banora Point man sure plays a mean pinball
A FORMER two-time Australian champion of the pool tables has turned his hand to another ball game, but this one is on a much more unique table.
Banora Point's Peter Watt, 1993-94 doubles eight-ball Australian champion, is aiming to take on Australia's best at pinball.
The first step for this lover of the bright lights of the 'multiball' is to qualify.
"I play a lot for the fun of it," Mr Watt said.
"It takes you back to the teenage years more than anything.
"They had a pinball festival in Newcastle last year and there were so many people there."
Mr Watt finished fourth in a tournament at Pinfest 2012 in Newcastle against some of Australia's best pinball players.
"The game is about 70 to 80% skill," he said.
At 46, Mr Watt has played pinball for more than 30 years including a 10-year period when he was a pinball technician.
His favourite pinball games were Addams Family and Indiana Jones pinball games.
"Each one is unique," he said.
Competitors vying for the Australian Championship will need to master the latest pinball machines such a The Avengers and ACDC pinball machines.
Timezone Surfers Paradise has four machines where players can qualify for the state championships.
Mr Watt is a founding member of the Gold Coast Pinball Club that formed earlier this year to compete with more established clubs in NSW and Victoria.
"There are a lot of good players on the coast," he said.
Some of the best will be at Supanova.
The popular culture festival will host the state finals and the national grand final.
Any wannabe champion can play at Timezone Surfers Paradise in authorised qualifying pinball machines.
The qualifying period ends on April 8.
Supanova Gold Coast 2013 in on at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on April 19-21.
