It’s easy, in this and any sport, to focus the attention on the champions, the G.O.A.Ts , the ones that have made a name for themselves through their talent, ambition and perseverance.
It’s not always easy to remember that each one of those legends of the sport started out as rank beginners, and it’s hard to keep in mind, sometimes, that growing the sport has to be a priority … and the one sure way to do that is look to the younger generation.
With that in mind, The Watercraft Journal is always on the lookout for stories, events and activities that promote and encourage youth participation in the sport – and in the PWC lifestyle in general.
So when we noticed a post for an upcoming race that fit that bill to a T, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to throw some attention their way.
Nauti Waters’ Jettrim IJSBA Jr Nationals will be held on June 5 – 6 in Altus, Oklahoma, and Race Promoter Justin Smith has shared information on the event. You can read the full release below..
See the full list below, and be sure to keep an eye on the Nauti Water website and social media pages for up-to-the-minute schedules, promotions, regulations and information.
Making jet ski racing history once again, we are pleased to present the 2025 JetTrim IJSBA Junior National Championship. This exclusive Championship event has been designed to recognize the amazing talents of our youth jet ski racers in the USA and internationally.
The JetTrimIJSBA Junior National Championship will be held in Altus, Oklahoma on June 5 and 6, with the best youth racers in the sport on site to demonstrate their ability and skills of racing jet skis. Ages 8 to 17 will have designated, age-appropriate classes. Youth racers will be showcased on a newly built lake designed to host jet ski racing, and it is sure to be for an epic showdown on the water of this top caliber facility.
This championship will feature slalom, closed course racing competition for all youth ages 8 to 17/
Ages will be sorted by a tighter two-year spec grouped in 8-9 10- 11, 12-13, 14-15 and ELITE 16-17.
Athletes will compete in the following IJSBA classes:
Runabout Rec Lights (Sea-Doo Spark Yamaha EX)
Sport Spec (Seadoo HX/Yamaha Blaster1/Polaris Hurricane)
Ski Lites (Two-stroke Superjets and Kawasaki SX-R 800s)
Junior Women’s Ski Lites
Four Stroke Lites (2021+ Yamaha Superjets)
Junior Women’s Ski Four Stroke Lites
Ski Mod Lites (OEM and IJSBA approved aftermarket hulls with engines less than 1100cc)
Elite GP Ski (1500 cc OEM and aftermarket hulls, athletes must be qualified by Nautiwater to compete.)
The Elite Youth class has been designed to allow youth racers ages 16 and 17 the opportunity to compete by age with their peers in a class that is specific to the caliber of the racers
With the absence of the Elite 16-17 age group recognized, all our youth racers are forced to Amateur or Pro level classes, well outside of their age range too early, and we have failed to recognize the remarkable talent of that 16 to 17 age group that deserve to have designated classes for them.
Elite Ski GP will test the pilots on the aftermarket builds and puts the 1500 cc engine on the water to compete in this designated class to highlight youth racing at the top level of our sport.
We are welcoming the top racers that are, by age, qualified to race in ELITE if they are 16-17.
All proficiencies (Expert, Pro-Am, Pro) by age are welcome to the ELITE class.
This class is for you. There is a sweet spot of incredible talent in the 16- to 17-year-old ranks and we’re crowning the champion for that age bracket in Altus Oklahoma.
Over the two days of racing, youth racers will have opportunity to win USA National Championships in Slalom and Closed Course Racing — and then we will take the winners (Top 2) from each of the age classes, into a Grand Champion Round for the Overall Grand Champion Award. Racers could take home multiple titles, awards plates, prizes, and trophies
