With 2 months behind me as Editor of The Watercraft Journal, I am almost starting to feel like I’m getting into the swing of things, but there is a long way to go, in my mind, before I am feeling comfortable at the helm of the publication that WCJ Editor-in-Chief Kevin Shaw put so much time and energy into launching and growing.
One of the keys to keeping the content as fresh and relevant as our readers deserve, is staying fully in touch with all aspects of the PWC world.. From new product launches, tech reviews, races and rec rides, to beginner tips, racer reviews, and spotlights on some of the amazing people involved in PWC – whether it’s racers, weekend riders, or adventure junkies.
To accomplish that, I scour, on a daily basis, social media, news releases, blog posts, Google alerts, podcasts and company websites, as well as stalking the pages of every race promoter and rec-ride organization I can think of, and I think I now officially am a member of more than two dozen Jet Rider Nation groups.
But it’s going to take more than that! Not only is my time limited, with a new house, a full time job with the radio station, and plans to open a restaurant and bar this spring on top of my editor duties here, but the good news, the REALLY good news, the timely news.. Isn’t always in print… and that’s where y’all come in.
I need YOUR help. Know of a great secret place to take a weekend jet ski trip to? Have tips on how to best winterize your ski or a step-by-step guide for newbies on how to get back on their ski when they (inevitably) fall off? Want to talk about your last win (or tough loss) at a race, or announce the schedule of your group’s next group ride? Is your company releasing a new product, or updating your website?
In the infamous words of Sandy Olsson, “Tell me about it, stud (or studette).”
Individuals, promoters, racers, ride captains, company promotions managers, weekend riders … I want to hear from you, because the things that are interesting to you, are likely things many of our readers would also be interested in. You can email me at [email protected], or reach me on Facebook at facebook.com/SouthernShutterbug.
In the meantime, stay tuned to The Watercraft Journal website and Facebook/Instagram accounts for daily news … in the coming weeks before the new year, we’re featuring a late-season rec-ride right here in my neck of the woods in Northeast Georgia, checking in with the results from the UIM-ABP Aquabike Endurance World Championship and Aquabike World Championship GP of Lake Tobi, learning about a doctor that does house calls – on a jet ski, delving into a new all-carbon supercharged stand-up monster of a ski, announcements about upcoming The Watercraft Journal IRL Podcasts, plus much more.
In addition, as I go back in time to begin pursuing all of Kevin’s old posts to learn as much as I can about the full extent of the PWC audience and community (my involvement for the last 10 years has been limited to the race side of things), I will be posting on a (somewhat) regular basis, time-machine posts to WCJ Facebook and Instagram accounts, revisiting articles, interviews, product releases and exciting news worth remembering. Starting with a repost, later today, of The Watercraft Journal’s very first article, and Kevin’s words about the mission, purpose and promise of the publication when it started – and which I, as the new editor, hope to uphold!
