East Coast Watercross Season Closes in Battle With Mother Nature

Photo Courtesy East Coast Watercross and Photographer Tyler Reardon @treardon41

While few could argue that there has been some shakeups in the PWC Race world as of late, one would also have trouble arguing that, when it comes down to the bottom line, this sport offers one of the best race experiences available – powerful machines, skilled riders, beautiful locations, passionate fans, and dedicated race promoters and officials. Even fewer would argue that East Coast Watercross isn’t proof of concept in each and every one of those categories.

And the 2024 season was no exception. From the opening round in Webster, Massachusetts back in early June to last week’s season closer in Sylvan Beach, New York, ECW proved yet again why, year after year, the tour continues to draw both a loyal core of racers, and those new to the sport.

The Sylvan Beach race, held on Sept. 7-8, not only closed out the ECW 10-round season, held over five weekends, but served as the IJSBA Two Stroke National Championship and drew racers from more than 14 states and Canada, with 144 entries on Saturday and 129 on Sunday.

Photo Courtesy East Coast Watercross and Photographer Tyler Reardon @treardon41

Despite poor cooperation from Mother Nature, racers put in the motos that could be completed safely between the heavy winds and 10’ waves. Be sure to check out the full recap from race officials below, and head to IJSBA’s website for the Round 9 & 10 results as well as season standings.

IJSBA is pleased to announce the results of the IJSBA Two Stroke National Championships held as the final rounds, 9 and 10, of the 2024 East Coast Watercross series. Please see the following recap and results as well as the end of the season results. Congratulations to all competitors.

This past weekend on Sept 7/8 we had our 9th and 10th round of the season on the shores of Oneida Lake in Sylvan Beach New York. It was our season finale as well as our IJSBA Two Stroke Nationals weekend so we drew in large crowds and racers in from over 14 states and Canada. We had 144 entries on Saturday and 129 on Sunday!

The weather on Friday was perfect and the lake was glass flat which made for the opportunity to build a large and intricate course. We unfortunately woke up Saturday morning to 20mph winds that built all day long, we battled large waves and heavy winds and rains all day long and eventually cut our race day short in the name of safety around 4-5 pm. We had a great awards ceremony into the evening with a huge crowd.

Photo Courtesy East Coast Watercross and Photographer Tyler Reardon @treardon41

Sunday we had even heavier winds blowing in all day long with a peak gust of 45 mph and steady 25 mph winds which whipped Lake Onieda into a frenzy, we had over 10’ tall waves to battle through and ultimately we only got to complete 6 motos before we had to make the hard decision to pull everyone off the water, it was getting to dark and to wavy to warrant the risk level, as soon as I made the call I saw the local Fire Dept posted on facebook to get off the lake so we knew we made the right call. We moved out awards ceremony into Harpoon Eddies restaurant and bar and everyone enjoyed a dry afternoon of season finale awards so it ended well.

At our awards ceremony we drew a raffle ticket for the winner of our giveaway X2 ski and a young kid of a family of X2 racers won it so they were ecstatic and he will be on the line with it next year racing for his first year in the junior x2 class!