Jet ski fans, your movie night just got an upgrade. Hot Water—the action-comedy that splashes jet skiing onto the big screen—is now streaming free on Tubi. Part drama, part comedy, and packed with water-blasting stunt work, it’s the closest Hollywood has come to capturing the wild energy of our sport, even if, like many ‘underdog’ sports comedy films, it plays things bigger, louder, and a little more dramatic than real life.
The story follows Billy Burnett (Glenn McCuen), a young racer with big dreams and no sponsor, who tries to hustle his way into the Pro Jet Ski Tour. Along the way he collides with rival racers, family drama, and a romance with the reigning women’s champ—all while chasing that shot at glory.
For our corner of the world, what makes Hot Water stand out is where it was filmed and who shows up on screen. Lake Havasu City, Arizona — the mecca of personal watercraft racing — served as the backdrop for much of the shoot. Locals might spot Springberg-McAndrew Park, Rotary Beach, Body Beach, (the former) Octane Wine Garage, and even the IJSBA World Finals venue at Crazy Horse Campground. Filming kicked off back in 2018, and the Havasu community embraced it, with businesses, extras, and local talent helping bring the movie to life. Second-unit footage for the film was also captured when the crew visited Miami for a P1 AquaX race.
And then there are the riders. This isn’t just actors on borrowed skis; real pros show up, too. Chris MacClugage stepped in as stunt double for Billy Burnett; multi-time world champion and freestyle star Mark Gomez was among those who lent their skills to the stunts and cameos; and Tera Leho also contributed to the stunt work on the film, reinforcing Hot Water’s connection to real PWC talent on both sides of the camera and adding an extra layer of authenticity. Footage from the World Finals also sneaks into the film, giving the racing sequences a little more grit and realism.
And in the director’s chair was a name many of us already know: Larry “The Ripper” Rippenkroeger, a former pro jet skier turned stuntman turned director. He’s long carried a passion for telling a cinematic tale of the sport he loves, and Hot Water was his dream project.
Hot Water was set to be in full production during the 2018 World Finals, and Rippenkroeger, along with the film’s stars, made appearances during the World Finals, mingling with the community and filming on site as part of the production’s live-event integration.
So now’s your chance: Hot Water is streaming free on Tubi. And if you’d rather add it to your collection, it’s available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV.
