Here’s this week’s WCJ Weekly Racing Roundup, where we check in with race organizations from coast to coast as the heart of the 2026 season continues to take shape. From East Coast Watercross preparing for its return to Pennsylvania and Wild West Watercross heading to Rio Vista, to recent action from AJSA and the Best of the West Series, there’s no shortage of activity as racers chase championships across the country.
East Coast Watercross
East Coast Watercross now turns its attention to Round 2 of the 2026 season, scheduled for June 26-28 at Kittanning Riverfront Park in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
After opening the season June 5-7 in Laconia, New Hampshire, the series is preparing for what organizers expect to be one of its largest events of the year, with more than 100 racers expected to converge on the Allegheny River for three days of competition, entertainment, and family activities.
Working alongside local partners including the Alle Kiski Strong Chamber, East Coast Watercross is once again emphasizing the festival atmosphere that has become a hallmark of many of its events. In addition to racing action on the water, the weekend schedule includes a free showing of Zootopia 2 on Friday night, a riverfront flea market, food vendors, inflatable attractions, foam parties, balloon artists, a car show, and live music throughout the weekend.
East Coast Watercross showrunner Shawn Dudek recently highlighted the involvement of local sponsor Allegheny Mariner, which will host live entertainment following the day’s racing activities. The waterfront restaurant is expected to serve as a gathering point for racers, crews, and spectators throughout the weekend.
While Kittanning is the immediate focus, several championship battles are already beginning to take shape following Round 1 in Laconia.
In Pro Am Ski GP, Dudek currently leads the standings with 226 points, followed closely by Charles Guinchard at 209 and Sebastian Wilcox at 199. Wilcox sits atop the Pro Am Ski Lites standings with 233 points, holding an early advantage over Ben Corcetti and Austin Jones.
One of the closest battles in the series can be found in Pro Am Runabout Stock, where Ian Smith and Jay Edworthy emerged from the opening round tied at 226 points apiece. Edworthy currently holds the advantage in Pro Am Runabout 1100 Limited after scoring a perfect 240-point weekend in Laconia, ahead of Dave Davidson and Smith.
Other early championship leaders include Colin Beers in Sport Spec and Daniel Clarke in Vintage X2 Open as racers begin the long march toward the season finale at Sylvan Beach, New York, August 28-30.
Following Kittanning, the series will head to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, July 10-12 before continuing to Plattsburgh, New York, July 31-August 2, setting up a busy summer stretch for one of the most active tours in personal watercraft racing.
PNW WaterX
PNW WaterX racers are already preparing for one of the most unique events on the series calendar as attention turns toward the Apple Pie Jamboree, scheduled for July 17-19 in Pateros, Washington.
While the race itself is still several weeks away, organizers recently announced a significant change to how starting positions will be determined. Rather than using the traditional random draw system, starting-line positions for the event will be based entirely on the order in which racers register.
Under the new format, competitors hoping to secure a favorable position on the line will need to move quickly when registration opens July 1 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Series officials emphasized that registration order will directly determine lineup positions, adding a new strategic element before racers ever reach the water.
The event will coincide with Pateros’ annual Apple Pie Jamboree festivities and is expected to attract racers from across the Pacific Northwest. Organizers have already begun encouraging competitors to verify account information and registration details in advance to avoid delays once registration opens.
Race weekend will feature a full slate of competition beginning July 18, with registration, rider meetings, and course orientation leading into racing activities following the community parade. Competition continues July 19 with a full day of racing action.
PNW WaterX officials have also released camping and logistics information for the event, noting that space at the Methow River Boat Launch will be extremely limited and reserved primarily for racers and event staff. Overflow camping options will be available nearby if needed.
The Apple Pie Jamboree has become one of the more distinctive stops on the regional racing calendar, combining community festivities with competitive watercraft racing. This year’s revised registration system adds another layer of intrigue as racers prepare to battle for track position before the first green flag ever drops.
Wild West Watercross
Wild West Watercross is shifting its attention toward Round 3 of the 2026 season, with racers set to converge on Rio Vista, California, June 27-28 for what promises to be one of the most meaningful stops on the organization’s “Road to Sparks” championship campaign.
While the series has spent recent weeks sharing highlights from Round 2 at Camp Far West, much of the conversation heading into Rio Vista centers on the event’s role as the Jim Lambert Memorial Race. Longtime PWC announcer Kurt Knollenberg will return to California to call the action, helping commemorate a man whose influence helped shape personal watercraft racing throughout Northern California and Nevada.
Lambert, founder of DJSA and a longtime Region 2 promoter, was instrumental in building the area’s grassroots racing scene. Wild West Watercross officials say the Rio Vista event serves as both a celebration of Lambert’s legacy and a reminder of the community that helped establish watercraft racing throughout the region.
Beyond the racing itself, organizers continue to emphasize the family-oriented atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the series. Competitors attending Rio Vista are being encouraged to participate in a community pancake breakfast organized by the Lyons Club, while sponsor-supported giveaways and registration tent prizes will once again be part of the weekend festivities. Racers will also have opportunities to win products donated by supporters including Dirty Delta Performance, Wild West Watercross and The Ski Clinic.
As the championship chase continues, Rio Vista represents an important midpoint in the season before competitors head north to Topaz Lake, Nevada, for Round 4 in July and ultimately the series finale in Sparks, Nevada, in August. With championship points on the line and a tribute to one of Northern California racing’s most influential figures, Round 3 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events on the Wild West Watercross calendar.
American Jet Sport Association
The American Jet Sport Association wrapped up Round 2 of its Southern Summer Series recently in Knoxville, Tennessee, drawing a strong turnout of racers, families and spectators for another busy weekend of competition.
Series officials thanked racers, sponsors, volunteers and supporters following the event, while also recognizing Visit Knox Sports, HobbyTown Knoxville and Alcoa Good Times for helping make the Knoxville stop possible. Attention now turns toward Round 3, scheduled for July 3-4 in Spindale, North Carolina.
Several classes produced standout performances during the weekend. In Freestyle competition, Kyle Edwards claimed the overall victory ahead of Schyler Tiedemann and Michael Petro. Teagan Hill topped the Pro Ski 1050 class, while Tyler Lester earned victories in both SuperCourse Pro Am 300/200 and AR 1800 Runabout Stock.
Youth racers continued to play a major role throughout the event. Logan Fleming captured the Jr. Ski Futures overall win and was awarded a new Traxxas Disruptor courtesy of HobbyTown Knoxville and Traxxas. Colt Myer claimed victory in Jr. Sport Spec, while several junior competitors also appeared on podiums throughout the weekend’s competition.
Other notable winners included Kylie Meier, who earned victories in both Ski Women’s Stock and Ski 1500 Stock Pro Am, Kelly Myhan in Pro Am Runabout 1100 Limited, Jax Rowe in Sport Spec, Neal Orussa in AR 1100 Runabout Stock, Dustin Higdon in Ski Vet, and Jordan Blevins in Ski Vintage Evo.
With two rounds now complete, racers will have only a few weeks to prepare before the Southern Summer Series resumes in North Carolina for what promises to be another competitive holiday weekend of racing.
Hydro-Turf Best of the West Series
The Hydro-Turf Best of the West Series completed Round 5 of its 2026 championship campaign June 13-14 with the Summer Slam at BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, Arizona. While triple-digit temperatures created challenging conditions throughout the weekend, racers, crews and spectators battled through the heat to produce another strong turnout for one of the West Coast’s premier watercraft racing series.
Following the event, organizer Dawn Carey thanked racers, families, sponsors and supporters for helping make the weekend a success despite the extreme conditions, noting that competitors “pushed through and absolutely kicked butt all weekend long.”
Several riders turned in standout performances during the Summer Slam. Travis Billings swept both Junior Ski 10-12 classes, scoring perfect 240-point weekends in Junior Ski 10-12 Lites and Junior Ski 10-12 4-Stroke Lites. Mark Queen claimed top honors in Junior Ski 13-15 Lites, while Ryder Bliss earned the Sport Spec victory over Jake Venditto and Landen Ayers.
In Ski Pro-Am Lites, Brice Chambers captured the overall win ahead of Jack Cobb, while Devin Matthias topped the Ski Novice Lites field. The Runabout GP/Open class saw Cesar Oliveres take the victory, followed by Brian Cams and John Kennedy.
The strong showing by junior racers once again highlighted one of the Best of the West Series’ defining strengths, with multiple youth divisions producing some of the weekend’s largest and most competitive fields.
Series officials are expected to release updated championship standings in the coming days as racers begin looking ahead to the next stop on the 2026 Best of the West schedule.
That’s a wrap on this week’s WCJ Weekly Racing Roundup. With race season heating up from coast to coast, we’ll continue keeping an eye on the racers, organizations and events helping drive the sport forward. We’ll be back next week with more results, previews and developments from across the world of personal watercraft racing. Stay tuned to The Watercraft Journal for continuing coverage throughout the 2026 season.
