Gallery: Hydro-Turf JetJam Tour @ Lake Success, Porterville, CA

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July 4, 2019

Now that the AWSA’s Hydro-Turf JetJam Racing Series Presented by Bud Light has made its swing out of Arizona and into its first of 3 tour stops in California, the weather made its shift from cooler temps to mid-80’s low 90’s giving all the racers and their family’s a great weekend in the foothills between Bakersfield and Fresno at Lake Success near Porterville, CA.

With all the recent rain and snow the West Coast has received this winter, the lakes have filled up and even as we were at Lake Success, the water rose another 3-5 inches. This was a sight as the last time the JetJam series was visiting this venue, the lake was almost empty and very low!

As I rolled in Saturday morning, coming across the bridge I saw that the buoys were set, the safety staff was on the water conducting practice and the JetJam Red Shirt Crew was all in their positions ready to assist all the racers and their crews. The US Army Corps of Engineers staff was also onsite and were excited to see the most popular event held during the year at Lake Success.

I asked them what they thought and they all said they had requested to work this weekend so they could enjoy a great event! Walking down to the beach, the onsite ambulance staff was under the shade and called an additional ambulance to come enjoy the event as their station was just a couple miles down the road. When the racing started, I also noticed that the areas surrounding the race site started to fill up with day use spectators who had seen all the Bud Light and Hydro-Turf signage that had been placed at the main gate of the lake weeks earlier.

Saturday’s racing saw those fast juniors ripping up the water to start off the day, Jake Pierce on his #88 SX-R 800 take the lead over Dominic Cannady and Justin Navarro. Cooper Schexnyder clocked in to do some work on his #28 and swept both motos over the “Iron Man” Tony Beck. Who not only raced a SX-R 1500, but battled Troy Leseney on their Yamaha GP1800Rs.

Nick Leseney atop his black #33 Sea-Doo XP800 had a great battle with Chris Heppe riding his #73 Judge Motorsports powered Wamilton ‘Blaster and Kyle Cameron battled CJ Fee and Jackie Harden on race prepared Sea-Doo Sparks. Pete Zernik and his #149 Bullet V3 gave the crowd a little show with a very unusual get off on the front stretch, Brady Courson took his Kommander Industries hull to the top spot for the overall!

On Sunday, Mason Courson took his Yamaha SuperJet to victory over a well packed field of talented riders in Ski GP5 Novice. Reese Maricich got to enter his newly acquired SXR1500 and with both moto wins, this may be the ride Reese needs to start seeing the top spot of the podium more often! A crowd favorite to watch on Sunday was the ongoing battle of ‘Blaster vs HX in Sport GP2 Spec with Nick Leseney on the HX, Norm Yee on the ‘Blaster.

These two were neck and neck but ultimately the HX won the battle. Ski V2 650/750 is a fun class to watch as this is a starter class for new racers. Joe Ochoa took first, James Hendry got second and Jared Conder finished up with third. In Vintage X2, 2017 World Champion Tom Yamamoto showed up for Sunday only and walked away with a first over Nic Verdone, Joseph LaPlaca and Kyle Cameron.

As racing finished, awards were presented as well as a Bud Light guitar won by James Hendry during the raffle. The Red Shirt crew had the course removed and the entire site packed away in record time and ready to head home. Special thanks to all the series sponsors, staff, and most of all the racers, crews and families who keep this sport moving along!

All photography provided courtesy of Kenny Wong.

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Get Your Retractable Ski Pylon For Your LinQ Sea-Doo

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Kevin Shaw

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July 3, 2019

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Summer is officially here and it will be nice to cool off on those hot days by taking up some water sports. For those of you wanting to do some wakeboarding, tubing, or other towing sports, take advantage of the Sea-Doo retractable Ski Pylon.

That covered hole located at the rear of your LinQ-equipped Sea-Doo is no not your gas tank, but a conveniently located mount for the ski pylon which makes a nice addition for those that do not have the Wake-Pro models.

You can read the full scoop on this accessory or as always check out Sea-Doo’s accessory page.

SEA-DOO LINQ RETRACTABLE SKI PYLON

The LinQ accessory system allows Sea-Doo watercraft owners to enhance their Sea-Doo life. What ever they want to do on the water, the LinQ accessories allow them to do it further, longer, and with more of the things that they want with them.

The Sea-Doo retractable Ski Pylon is making watersports easier than ever. It features a high-rise pylon to keep the rope out of the water. Built-in spotter grab handles allow for extra grip and comfort for your spotter. The pylon can easily be added or removed in seconds. Whether your wakeboarding, tubing, or skiing, the LinQ Ski Pylon makes the towing simple.

The LinQ retractable Ski Pylon comes standard on all Wake-Pro models and are sold separately for USD $314.99

Video: Big Wave Surfer Garrett McNamara Confides In Yamaha

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Brice Leckrone

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July 3, 2019

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When your life is on the line below a 100 foot mega-ton wave what do you trust as your tow or lifesaving watercraft? Well just ask Garrett McNamara who holds the record for largest wave ever surfed and you will see that he trusts Yamaha WaveRunners.

McNamara has surfed some of the largest waves in Nazare, Portugal and as he discusses in the video, Yamaha gives him the trust that he needs in such extreme water conditions.

McNamara explains that with such extreme and unpredictable waves, he relies on the reliability that in his mind only Yamaha provides. In the world of monster wave surfing a predictable and reliable watercraft can mean the difference between a good day and a deadly day.

In an instance where a surfer goes down, it is crucial to be able to ride into the rough conditions, pick up the surfer, and get out of the dangerous waters as soon as possible. McNamara states that it’s a huge relief to see that Yamaha Waverunner as it arrives to the rescue.

To see more about why Yamaha is chosen for critical situations, check out the video below.

Video: Custom GTX Limited 300 With Special Delivery

By

Brice Leckrone

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July 2, 2019

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Music industry’s DJ Khaled just received a special custom Sea-Doo in a special way. Sea-Doo and DJ Khaled collaborated on a custom wrapped GTX Limited 300 with flashy vibrant colors.

The popping Sea-Doo was delivered in an equally extravagant way as it was towed through the Miami waterways underneath a huge gift box complete with a large yellow bow.

The box which read “New Sea-Doo Delivery” and “Somebody Special Is Getting A New Sea-Doo” made it aware to onlookers that this was a unique delivery for a unique individual. Either that or somebody royally screwed up and was attempting to impress his wife with a new delivery.

After being delivered to DJ Khaled, it was finally revealed. You can read the full press release below for all of the info.

DJ KHALED BRAND NEW CUSTOM SEA-DOO GTX

The Snapchat king of personal watercrafts now has the most eye-catching Sea-Doo in Miami. Anyone who follows DJ Khaled knows he LOVES Sea-Doo, so our design team collaborated with him to make a one-of-a-kind GTX Limited 300 in graphics matching his latest album!

We teamed up with Khaled to create this vibrant custom wrap that matching his “tropical vibes,” and finished it off with his record label, We The Best, front and center on the bow.

Sea-Doo Performance Ambassador Erminio Iantosca personally delivered the custom Sea-Doo in a custom gift box, towing it through the Miami Beach canals to his home. It’s safe to say, DJ Khaled will be having a fun summer Living the Sea-Doo Life!

Reiterer and Ypraus take Grand Prix Titles

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Ocean Priselac

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July 2, 2019

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A heavy weekend of racing went down during the UIM-ABP Grand Prix of Hungary. Kevin Reiterer continues his dominance remains on track to win the European title. He took his second Grand Prix title of the season. This makes two in a row that he has taken the big win.

Reiterer had another stellar run and won his third and final moto by close to a minute. He snatched the win from Stian Schjetlein, leaving him in second while Barnabus Szabo took third overall.

Jasmiin Ypraus grabbed three out of three wins enabling her to take her first title of the year and move ahead in the title race. She has a slim lead of nine points over Jonna Borgstrom.

Title contender, Emma-Nellie Ortendahl ran into some problems during the race and finished fifth overall, putting her into third in the standings.

Jasmin Yparaus took third overall in GP2. Slaven Ivancic and Andrea Guidi battled it out for first and second, respectively.

Barnabas Szabo went three for three with Hungary locking down the podium in Ski GP1. Martin Sumegi came in second and Jozef Bohuslav third. Janis Uzars won all three motos in Ski GP1 Veterans. Attila Deri and Ergon Ypraus rounded out the podium.

The Juniors pulled off some outstanding racing with Mattias Reinas winning the final Moto. He climbed two places and took the overall victory from the early leader Diogo Barbosa. He wound up in fourth, Matteo Valente completing the podium.

That’s a wrap of the Grand Prix of Hungary and the killer racing that went down.

Video: Would You Experience The Bateau Extremjet?

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Blake Ellestad

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July 1, 2019

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Adrenaline runs through many of you readers veins. It is something we strive for. Whether it is trying to go faster on the water or trying something new, it fuels us to push our limits. Well, there is something new that is very exciting and will be sure to get your blood pumping. The new Extremjet is a jet powered boat that is offered at Sea-Doo Proshop and School Center. This powerful jet boat is able to seat twelve passenger and is sure to make each of them screaming with joy and smiling ear to ear.

Be sure to wear your swimsuit and bring an extra pair of clothes for afterwards. The driver likes to make sure that everyone is soaking wet by the end of the trip. The jet boat is much bigger than you average personal watercraft but it is quite powerful. Being able to turn into corners and spin around with ease. It is like a roller coaster and the track is the open water.

The Sea-Doo Proshop and School Center is located in Villeneuve-Loubet, France. So if you are ever over in France visiting and want to sign up for an exciting, adrenaline-pumping activity, check it out. This jet boat has a ton of power and you will be wanting to go on another ride when your ride is done. To see how fun this ride is, check out this video. Every passenger is loving every minute of it.

Happy 4th of July Sale from Bopenski Watersports

By

Blake Ellestad

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July 1, 2019

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Bopenski Watersports wants to be the first to wish you a happy 4^th of July. To our international readers, the 4^th of July is the United States of America’s Independence Day. It is a day where we show our gratitude for becoming our own free country and building it from the ground up.

While the holiday is meant to acknowledge our independence, many company’s all over the country run promotions and sales as a way to thank their loyal customers for allowing their business to succeed in the USA. Bopenski Watersports want to offer a deal where the 1^st 20 customers who order a The Kickback Chair will receive free shipping by using the promo code “SHIPFREE”. The Kickback Chair is a quick-set up chair that allows you to set it up in minutes on board your watercraft and kickback and relax. For a more in depth coverage, check out this article.

So if you have had your eye on a Kickback Chair or are falling in love with it for the first time, now is the time to buy. These chairs are a great way to make your time on the water better. It offers a way for you to eat your lunch in style of take a quick break from riding. Order now and you can be the envy of everyone on the water. The need to bring an old camp chair to eat lunch on the shore is over, the Kickback Chair is the new way to enjoy your time on the water.

Video: Journey Further this Summer With Yamaha FX Series WaveRunners

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Blake Ellestad

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June 28, 2019

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June 21^st, the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere, has come and gone and summer is now in full swing. Summer is here! The weather is consistently getting warmer and the water is starting to warm up too. A great way to spend a day out on the water is on top of the all new 2019 Yamaha WaveRunner FX Series watercraft. The FX series provide comfort and the industry’s first-ever Connext touchscreen providing you with the control that you can change to your specific needs.

Everything Watercraft posted a video on Facebook of them taking out the 2019 Yamaha WaveRunner FX Series. In their ride they rode from Moreton Island, Queensland Australia to the Tangalooma Shipwrecks. The beaches were covered in white sand and the water was crystal clear. It looks like the watercrafts were floating in thin air. After riding around and taking a quick swim, they dropped anchor on the beach for some relaxation and a bite to eat.

So whether you are needing the itch to go out and ride or considering visiting Australia. Check out Everything Watercraft’s video. It shows the true beauty of Australia and how practical the new 2019 Yamaha WaveRunners are. With competitive pricing and multiple options, there is room for an FX Series in your family. And remember, to get out and journey further this summer.

https://www.facebook.com/everythingwatercraft/videos/907452752981105/

Long Term Review: Slippery Wetsuits’ Switch Molded Vest

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Kevin Shaw

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June 27, 2019

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Frankly, it’s hard to believe that it was 11 years ago when Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” film hit theaters. The sequel to the director’s gritty Batman reboot “Batman Begins,” “TDK” featured a far more nuanced take on DC comic’s second-most popular comic book superhero. It so happened to be the same time I received my first Slippery Switch Molded Life Vest. It was unlike any personal flotation device on the market, and looked, in my opinion, just like the molded body armor worn by Batman.

I still have that same vest and even picked up a light gray version shortly afterwards. That 11-year-old Switch life vest has served me well, and has been one of my favorites since 2008. Well, that is until I received a new Switch Molded Life Vest for 2015. The black molded front-entry vest was very similar in appearance as the 2008 model I had, save for much more subdued styling. The graphics on the left breast and back were dialed down, and the white panels at the sides and shoulders were now gray.

But that’s not all; changes had been made to Slippery’s foam patterns. The shape and contour of the molded panels were improved, comfortably holding my torso slightly more snug than before. No I hadn’t gained weight over the years (well, not that much); the fit of the two had improved. Life vests are typically made from either vinyl or neoprene. Frankly, I’ve always hated the feel of vinyl PFDs and Slippery – more than any other brand of PDF manufacturer – was committed to making woven, breathable soft, stretch knit fabric for the inner panels that didn’t rub, irritate or stick to skin.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the Switch’s PVC inner foam and interior fabric panels make for the single-most comfortable life vest I’ve ever used. And I mean every syllable of that last sentence. The. Most. Comfortable. PFD. Ever. Anybody who has been paying close attention to our ongoing YouTube bimonthly show knows that I typically don this very same front-entry black Slippery Switch Molded vest. It is my favorite personal flotation device (ie. life vest). It is my go-to. If I’m wearing a different life vest, it’s probably because I have to for contractual reasons.

The front-entry vest utilizes two adjustable 1.5-inch straps integrated in the articulated chest panels; the quick-lock front buckles snap together over a heavy-duty zipper. The molded outer shell provides breaks in the PVC foam in a smartly-designed pattern for maximum flexibility while maintaining US Coast Guard approved Type 3 performance.

Range of motion is at its most as Slippery employs elastic neoprene sides and shoulders for comfort and maximum mobility. It’s one of the few vests you can wear and still double over to tie your shoe or reach low into your front storage bin.

The latest edition of the Switch Molded Vest is one I don’t have yet, making this review slightly different than all of our previous reviews. The materials and molds are carryovers but some slight changes have been made; the lanyard D-ring returns (my 2015 model didn’t have one), and the white/gray neoprene panels on the flanks and shoulders are white. Graphics are now colored in orange and blue with the current Slippery logo and design. Equally, the inside soft-touch fabric panels are also in black as well.

Currently, it appears that the Switch Molded Vest is sold out according to most retailers. So if you want one, you’re gonna have to do some searching online. That of course, means that pricing is going to vary. If that means that the Switch is being phased out, I am truly sorry as it is my absolute favorite. Yes, Slippery’s latest batch of side-entries are great, but man, nothing beats the Switch Molded Vest in ways of comfort, use, longevity and making every normal Joe look a little more like Batman.

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Videos: 2018 Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 Long Term Review (Gallery)

By

Kevin Shaw

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June 27, 2019

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To say we were excited to get our hands on one of the very first 2018 Sea-Doo RXT-X 300‘s would be an understatement. Sea-Doo had only just released the entirely-redesigned runabout a few months earlier, and the buzz swirling around the new RXT-X was palpable.

We received our 300-horsepower long term loaner a little over a year ago and did our very best to put the machine through the paces – from traveling to scenic locations across the Southeastern United States, to pinning it in a head-to-head with not one, but two of Yamaha’s most powerful WaveRunners.

Our loaned unit came to us in Ice Metal & Lava Red (although the optional Neon Yellow & Lava Grey was equally enticing). It also included the much-desired BRP Premium Audio sound system package, which we had first become acquainted with during the media introductory event back in October the year previously.

Easily one of the best additions to the new ST3-platform, the BRP Premium Audio sound system – a $600 option from the factory, $900 through dealers’ parts departments – syncs with your Bluetooth-capable smartphone, allowing you to listen to your own private song selection in crisp 100-watt clarity. More often than not, we found ourselves toggling through our music files thinking, “Oh, that’ll be great to listen to next time we go out!”

Although a standard feature on the GTX Limited packages, we also equipped our RXT-X 300 with the optional USB port socket. This allowed us to keep our smartphone plugged in and fully-charged. Smartly integrated into the waterproof-and-padded cell phone case inside of the glove box, the USB port can also be used to charge a GPS, GoPro video camera or other devices while out on the water.

Sea-Doo’s designers paid close attention to creating the most comfortable cockpit possible; the footwells are deep and surprisingly wide, allowing the rider plenty of room to move around the watercraft. The Ergolock seat is smartly sculpted to fit most adult riders, and features angled footwedges to help position the driver’s knees into the padded coves for better handling.

The handlebars are redesigned with Sea-Doo “palm rest” hand grips and large easy-to-reach toggle pads, allowing you to adjust the VTS trim settings, set Cruise Control (a standard feature on the RXT-X now), scroll through dashboard functions, and shuffle through the three Intelligent Throttle Control presets: Touring, Sport and ECO mode.

New (and exclusive) to the 2018 RXT-X 300 is “Launch Control” – a feature that automatically positions the trim nozzle downward to keep the Sea-Doo’s nose planted upon initial acceleration. As the ski speeds up, the trim nozzle will then automatically adjust until it reaches the pre-set “final” position, whether you set it for neutral or otherwise.

After a series of testing together with Greenhulk.net’s own Jerry Gaddis, we found that Launch Control truly did deliver superior acceleration numbers. Even when we manually toggled the trim control, we couldn’t beat the acceleration times made by the Sea-Doo’s onboard system. This keeps the ski from leaping out of the water upon initial launch, and methodically trims to the final preset as the Sea-Doo accelerates to top speed.

Of course, the RXT-X’s centrifugally supercharged 1,630cc 4-stroke producing a solid 300-horsepower is the big draw here. Not only could the new 2018 RXT-X out accelerate the competition, but its previous model as well. For 2018, Sea-Doo engineers shaved off an incredible 86-pounds, putting the new performance 3-seater at 828-pounds compared to the previous 914-pounds.

Although an inch-and-a-half wider (from 48.2-inches to 49.4-inches), the new Sea-Doo platform was also a hair over 3-inches shorter (from 139.2-inches to 135.9-inches). A deeper-set seating position for the driver and passengers also gives the RXT-X a lower center of gravity. This helps the runabout remain incredibly stable at low speeds or at rest.

In addition to an official Sea-Doo ST3 watercraft cover, a final feature new to the 2018 platform that we came to love was Sea-Doo’s LinQ accessory system. A pair of pop-up cleats allowed the attachment of either a 4-gallon fuel caddy; a semi-rigid, 5.5-gallon storage bag; or a 4.2-gallon ice chest. Add to that the massive and easy-to-access 27-gallon center storage bin, and Sea-Doo’s top-of-the-line performance runabout just became a great long distance adventure ride machine – a feature we took pleasure in using quite often.

We racked up over 50 hours of ride time over the year, which was a record for us considering the many different watercraft we have to test throughout the calendar year. From the swamps of Louisiana to the canyons of Chattanooga, Tennessee; we came to love cruising our RXT-X 300.

With the throttle pinned, the RXT-X could drain a 15.8-gallon tank nearly as fast as a fuel pump could fill it; but when fuel mileage was a concern, we could toggle between operating in ECO Mode or simply ease off of the throttle as we glanced at the in-dash boost gauge. We clocked an average fuel consumption of 4.5 miles per gallon, but then again, we weren’t too concerned with eking out the best mpg anyways.

Although perfectly comfortable when trimmed at neutral in smooth water conditions, we did find that the RXT-X fared better trimmed far up when tracking through larger chop. The Sea-Doo’s knife-like keel is super aggressive – just like its RXP-X 300 sibling – and wants to do the steering if the rider isn’t paying close attention. So we learned quickly to grab this high-powered horse by the reigns and show it who’s boss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OuT-Q9RB8Q&t=62s

Impressively, we found that the RIVA Racing Pro-Series sponsons were the perfect addition to our RXT-X 300. The deep, angled (and 5-way adjustable) blades provided significant added traction that kept the Sea-Doo’s tail planted even in the sharpest turn. Since we liked the RXT-X’s nose trimmed lower, positioning the sponsons’ blades to the 4th lowest position gave us the grip we needed. The change was so significant that it made us fall in love with the RXT-X all over again.

Finally, wanting to eke out a few more miles per hour without irreversible harm, we installed a RIVA Racing Speed Override Control Unit. Commonly known as a “SCOM,” the control box doesn’t reprogram the engine’s ECU tune whatsoever, but rather, simply deactivates the GPS-controlled speed limiter. With it, we were able to reach an impressive 75 miles per hour at 8,040rpm – and with a 240-pound rider and the fuel tank nearly three-quarters full!

Over the course of the year, the RXT-X began to show certain signs of wear and tear. We struggled to find the right cleaner/polish to keep the gloss black plastics looking new. Hard-to-remove waterspots became a major challenge in particular. The silver-hued Ergolock knee pads also started to yellow – a reaction to sunscreen and sweat, we believe. Spilled gas draining from around the filler cap had also stained the silver acrylic surface’s finish. (Sea-Doo issued a maintenance guide which will help keep these issues from happening if properly followed.)

As equipped, our 2018 model would MSRP just over at $16,700. Without the BRP Premium sound system and USB port, you can expect around $1,000 off from that total – but as we’ve said before, the BRP Premium Sound is waaay worth it. Additionally, if you’re a hot dogger, or even a moderately aggressive rider dead set on a RXT-X, the RIVA Pro-Series Sponsons are almost mandatory equipment. In all, the 2018 Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 was an absolute riot; with arm-stretching acceleration; a super comfortable cockpit; packed to the roof with one-of-a-kind special features; and jammed packed with accessories; this new Sea-Doo was just a joy to ride.

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