As we at The Watercraft Journal have mentioned before, there’s some serious ducats being dangled at the end of the stick for racers in this year’s multiplicity of personal watercraft series. Be it AquaX or Pro Watercross, successful racers could theoretically come home with tens of thousands of dollars. But that isn’t the reason why 17-time national and world champion Dustin Farthing is racing this year. In fact, it’s closer to the opposite.
In a press release issued yesterday evening, Farthing came out of retirement to dedicate his final season – as well as all of his winnings and contingency payouts – to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta non-profit organization. Farthing stated, “This sport has given me so much and I want to leave the sport by doing something special for the kids of Atlanta and their families whom are facing incredible health challenges… I feel blessed every day for our health and am challenging myself to race for families struggling to take care of their children and winning on my Sea-Doo watercraft.”
Farthing first took to the water at this past AquaX Round 2 in Panama City Beach, Florida, aboard a new Monster Energy backed Sea-Doo RXP-X 300. According to the announcement, Farthing will be competing in the Pro Watercross Tour (beginning this weekend in Panama City, Florida), the P1 AquaX series and IJSBA World Finals event in October in Lake Havasu City, AZ, all at a considerable personal expense. “This sport has given me every opportunity to have an incredible life and now it’s my opportunity to give back,” concluded Farthing.
Here’s the original (and complete) press release issued last night:
Atlanta, GA United States– May 5, 2016 – Sea-Doo X-TEAM watercraft racer Dustin Farthing is dedicating his final season of racing to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta by donating all of his 2016 prize and contingency money to the Atlanta based non-profit.
Farthing is a 17X national and world champion, now residing in Marietta, GA and part owner of six BRP dealerships under the Mountain Motorsports brand and father of two healthy sons. He is closing out an illustrious 23-year watercraft-racing career by giving back to the sport that has provided him the majority of his personal and professional success. In his final season he has chosen to race for BRP Inc. (Bombardier Recreational Products), the industries leading manufacturer, aboard a new Monster Energy backed Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 watercraft and aims to finish in the lead pack collecting prize money he will then donate to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“This sport has given me so much and I want to leave the sport by doing something special for the kids of Atlanta and their families whom are facing incredible health challenges,” exclaims Farthing. “My wife, whom I met at a race 20-plus years ago, and two sons are the most important part of my life and I feel blessed every day for our health and am challenging myself to race for families struggling to take care of their children and winning on my Sea-Doo watercraft.”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is a not-for-profit organization that provides specialized care to children from all walks of life. They rely on donations to provide the best possible care to young patients and their families now and in the future. Farthing will donate 100% of the prize money he earns during the 2016 watercraft racing season plus all racing contingency funds from the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty program that makes over $25,000 of funds available to winning Sea-Doo watercraft riders.*
“This sport has given me every opportunity to have an incredible life and now it’s my opportunity to give back,” said Farthing. “I am going to have fun in my final year racing on a Sea-Doo watercraft and give back in the most positive manner possible.”
Farthing will be competing in the Pro Watercross Tour, that begins this weekend in Panama City, Florida as well as the Florida based P1 AquaX series and IJSBA World Finals event in October taking place in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Fans can contribute to Farthing’s donations to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta by visiting CHOA.ORG.
*Visit the Sea-Doo Blog, OnBoard, for complete program details regarding the 2016 Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty racer contingency program.
