Following in the heels of Nauti Water Racing’s weekend announcement of the acquisition of Jet Jam Racing and Full Throttle Racing, a union between three key closed-course regional racing organizations was announced Tuesday.
In social media posts at midday on Tuesday, Great Lakes Watercross, East Coast Watercross and Nauti Water Racing simultaneously announced the formation of the U.S. National Watercross Council – a collaboration between the three organizations.
The NWC covers a large swath of the US landscape, with East Coast Watercross known to be the go-to race tour for the northeast corner of the country, Great Lakes Watercross typically drawing racers from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and Natui Water – with the recent acquisition of Jet Jam and Full Throttle – covering the Midwest and West Coast.
“This historic collaboration marks the first time in the sport’s history that major promoters have joined forces, pooling their expertise and passion to elevate the watercross racing experience to new heights,” the announcement states.
As made evident by the stated mission of the NWC, all events under the new collaboration will remain under the IJSBA sanctioning body, and the NWC will serve as the governing body for IJSBA events. The full mission, posed under the tagline “Uniting for Excellence,” is stated as:
“To serve as the governing body for United States closed course International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) Watercross events. By aligning regional IJSBA closed course events and classes, maintaining a comprehensive U.S. IJSBA Points Table, and fostering cooperation among regional series, the Council aims to enhance the watercross racing experience for racers, spectators, sponsors, and fans nationwide.”
In a shift, or perhaps more accurately described return, to what appears to be a unified regional approach to racing, the announcement detailed a “2024 Points Challenge” that will unify racing classes and points systems within the regional tours in the regular season, leading to two National Championships – one in the north and one in the south – and culminating in the IJSBA World Finals in Havasu.
According to the announcement, “Racers will accumulate closed course points in each regional series, with their top 4 points carried to the National Championship events in the North and South. The North and South high points leaders at each national championship event will be awarded, earning double points to propel them into the overall USA National Points Table leading up to the prestigious IJSBA World Finals.”
The 2024 class list for the NWC, stated to align with the IJSBA World Finals points classes, include Pro Am Ski GP, Pro Am Ski Stock, Pro Am Ski Lites, Pro Am Ski 4 Stroke Lites, Novice Ski 4 Stroke Lites, Amateur Runabout 1100 Stock / ECW: Stock 800 Runabout, Novice Ski Lites, Novice Ski Stock, Pro Am Runabout Stock / ECW: Pro Am Runabout 4 Stroke, Amateur Runabout 1100 Limited / ECW: Pro Am Runabout 800 Limited, Amateur Runabout Rec Lites / ECW: Pro Am Rec Lites, Sport Spec / ECW: Pro Am Sport Spec, Runabout Naturally Aspirated, Vintage 550, Vintage X2, Junior Ski Lites 10-12, Junior Ski 4 Stroke Lites 10-15, Junior Ski Lites 13-15, and Junior Ski Stock 10-15.
However, the announcement details additional changes following the 2024 season, stating, “Starting in 2025, the Council will consolidate national events into a single national championship and a thrilling national point ranking system, featuring the events at best locations across the United States.”
The Watercraft Journal will continue to monitor and report on the significant changes in the US PWC racing landscape in the coming weeks, and will report on the announced race schedules released so far in the coming days.
Read the full U.S. National Watercross Council release below.
HISTORIC UNION OF PROMOTERS ELEVATES U.S. WATERCROSS TO NEW HEIGHTS
In an unprecedented move set to revolutionize the watercross racing landscape, the leading US closed course regional series consisting of —East Coast Watercross, Great Lakes Watercross, and Nauti Water Racing have united to form the U.S. National Watercross Council. This historic collaboration marks the first time in the sport’s history that major promoters have joined forces, pooling their expertise and passion to elevate the watercross racing experience to new heights.
MISSION: UNITING FOR EXCELLENCE
The mission of the U.S. National Watercross Council is clear: to serve as the governing body for United States closed course International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) Watercross events. By aligning regional IJSBA closed course events and classes, maintaining a comprehensive U.S. IJSBA Points Table, and fostering cooperation among regional series, the Council aims to enhance the watercross racing experience for racers, spectators, sponsors, and fans nationwide.
EXCITING 2024 POINTS CHALLENGE
The U.S. National Watercross Council is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking 2024 points challenge open to all U.S. IJSBA racers. Racers will accumulate closed course points in each regional series, with their top 4 points carried to the National Championship events in the North and South. The North and South high points leaders at each national championship event will be awarded, earning double points to propel them into the overall USA National Points Table leading up to the prestigious IJSBA World Finals.
CONSOLIDATION FOR FUTURE EXCELLENCE
Anticipating an even brighter future for watercross racing, the Council has strategically aligned the national points classes with those offered at the IJSBA World Finals. Starting in 2025, the Council will consolidate national events into a single national championship and a thrilling national point ranking system, featuring events at the best locations across the United States.
UNPRECEDENTED UNION FOR A THRIVING SPORT
The promoters express their enthusiasm for this historic union and the creation of the U.S. National Watercross Council. Their united efforts aim to make jet ski racing in the United States as exhilarating and enjoyable as possible. More details on this groundbreaking venture will be shared as they become available, including the release of schedules by East Coast Watercross and Nauti Water Racing with separate Championships and points all in play for 2024.
JOIN THE WAVE OF SUPPORT
The U.S. National Watercross Council calls upon fans, racers, sponsors, and enthusiasts to join the wave of support for this historic initiative. By standing together, we can ensure the continued growth and success of watercross racing in the United States.
ABOUT THE U.S. NATIONAL WATERCROSS COUNCIL
The U.S. National Watercross Council is a collaborative effort by East Coast Watercross, Great Lakes Watercross, and Nauti Water Racing. Committed to excellence and unity, the Council aims to govern and elevate the U.S. closed course International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) Watercross events, providing an unmatched experience for racers and fans alike.
NATIONAL POINTS CHALLENGE CLASSES
Pro Am Ski GP
Pro Am Ski Stock
Pro Am Ski Lites
Pro Am Ski 4 Stroke Lites
Novice Ski 4 Stroke Lites
Amateur Runabout 1100 Stock / ECW: Stock 800 Runabout
Novice Ski Lites
Novice Ski Stock
Pro Am Runabout Stock / ECW: Pro Am Runabout 4 Stroke
Amateur Runabout 1100 Limited / ECW: Pro Am Runabout 800 Limited
Amateur Runabout Rec Lites / ECW: Pro Am Rec Lites
Sport Spec / ECW: Pro Am Sport Spec
Runabout Naturally Aspirated
Vintage 550
Vintage X2
Junior Ski Lites 10-12
Junior Ski 4 Stroke Lites 10-15
Junior Ski Lites 13-15
Junior Ski Stock 10-15
