Michael Flores, Director of Marketing and Communication for South Padre Island Visitors and Convention Bureau recently announced that he has been able to bring the first ever professional watercraft race to the island. This will be the third round of the Pro Watercross Tour and will be held on the weekend of June 1-2. Michael says that “we are expecting this to be the highlight of our season, and look forward to exposing everyone across the country to the beauty of our Jewel of the Gulf through the Pro Watercross live feed.”
South Padre Island is a beautiful resort town located on the southern coast of Texas. With views of the Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico along with warm weather, beautiful beaches and great places to eat, the island truly has it all. The island offers plenty of activities for its guest which makes this a perfect stop for the tour. However, the main focus for the weekend will be on the professional watercraft races.
This year’s tour has been off to a great start with some exciting races, good competition and an absolutely electric environment. In eight days the action will be happening, which begs the question, when are you going to be arriving?
With spring turning into summer, it is now time to dust off the personal watercrafts in the garage. If you have not already. With all of the major manufactures coming out with new and improved models, it can sure give you an itch to go out and buy a new one from the dealer.
Well if you are in the market for a new ride, look no further. Broward Motorsports is offering deals many different models of Yamaha WaveRunners. From the aggressive GP1800R to the VX Limited made for family fun to the rental outfit-friendly VX-C, the Broward Motorsports has you covered for this summer.
Their financing options are very competitive. Where you can be out riding a GP1800R for only $219 a month, or the VX Limited for $175 a month and the VX-C for only $139 a month! With these different price points, take a look at your budget and see what ride you can be out enjoying this summer!
Open Monday through Saturday, Broward Motorsports of Tequesta has a welcoming and knowledgeable staff that is wanting to get you out riding. With a reputation like Broward Motorsport, it is worth it to go in and visit. Don’t forget, they are closed on Sunday since they are out riding!
Many personal watercraft riders enjoy their time on the water in the summer but when the weather starts to turn cold they put them away in their garages. If you have a snowmobile, you long for the winter to come with lots of snow. The snowmobile is the winters personal watercraft.
Recently, Maria Sandberg, a BRP Ambassador, felt that she really missed riding her Sea-Doo Spark in the winter. So, she put her Spark on a trailer and hooked it up to her snowmobile and off she went. She went up a mountain where there was a small oasis that was big enough to ride in.
After putting in some inflatable beach toys to complete the look, she fired up her Spark and started to tear it up! From doing circles around a huge floating flamingo, to having a snowmobile zoom passed her by skipping across the water to spraying the cameraman, she was able to check everything off of the list.
It is awesome to see how people are finding new places to ride and making it happen. A few years ago, if someone had told you that they strapped their Sea-Doo and towed it with their snowmobile up a mountain to go ride in a small pool of water, they would have said your lying. Well with the help of some cameras and good friends, Maria Sandberg was able to do something extraordinary. Make sure to check out her Instagram Page too!
We had only received our 2019 Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230 a couple of weeks earlier and frankly, hadn’t had the time to fully break-in the Sea-Doo’s supercharged engine. Per the manufacturer’s recommendation, the “Break-In Period” takes 10 hours before the watercraft can be operated at full throttle for a sustained period.
The occasional burst of speed is perfectly fine – in fact, during this period, it’s prolonged wide open throttle or even cruising speeds that are detrimental during the break-in period. Basically, you’re supposed to change things up quite often. Just don’t keep the engine at one speed for more than 30 seconds at a time.
Unfortunately, that was going to be a tall order to fill as we joined the Middle Tennessee Personal Watercraft Club for its ride on the Barren River Lake today. Joining a couple dozen others for the first ride of the season, we knew it would be the perfect opportunity to push our Sea-Doo Wake Pro past the 5 hours mark, allowing us access to full speed.
Sea-Doo limits its supercharged 230 and 300 series engines during the first 5 hours of operation. This is done by the engine management system to protect itself from immediate strenuous use. Once the Sea-Doo surpasses the 5 hour mark, engine performance will progressively increase, allowing the runabout to reach its peak top speed.
Since we were riding with a large group and with underage passengers, we kept the Sea-Doo’s Intelligent Throttle Control program in “Touring” mode. Sport mode would have to wait until we racked up the required 10 hours of operation.
Today’s forecast was less than appetizing as well; gray skies with low hanging clouds, cooler-than-normal temperatures and a lingering threat of rain leading towards thunderstorms later in the afternoon. While we donned our swimsuits, long sleeve shirts and hoodies were worn beneath our Slippery life vests.
Excited to explore Kentucky’s 10,100 acre Barren River Lake for the first time, we were impressed to see its water levels some 18 feet above normal, increasing its maximum depth of 118 feet closer to 130 feet.
At an elevation of 465 feet we weren’t much higher than our own hometown lake of Old Hickory. Following the pack of naturally aspirated and supercharged Yamaha FX’s and a lone 300-horsepower Sea-Doo GTX Limited, we ventured through the serpentine river valley, around its 3 islands and deep into its many fingers.
Although normally intended for pulling wake boards, skaters and the occasional raft, we opted to leave the retractable ski pylon that comes standard to the Wake Pro 230 at home, equipping the 4.2-gallon LinQ Cooler to the rear.
Stocked with snacks, drinks and ice, the 4.2 gallon (or 16-liter) cooler is molded short, so we went with smaller sized water bottles or sodas. We happily stopped for a granola bar or a handful of trail mix between longer stretches of our 80 mile excursion, enjoying the peace and quiet that comes with riding up to a deserted stretch of water.
After lunch at the Barren River Lake State Resort Park and later topping off our skis’ fuel tanks, we scampered off for a few more miles of exploration. Clouds had gathered overhead by this time and the smooth water we had enjoyed in the morning was starting to churn.
Although priced with an MSRP of $14,799, our Wake Pro gratefully came to us from Sea-Doo with the optional BRP Premium Audio System, allowing us to sing along to some of our favorite songs as we rode.
Sure, our signing leaves much to be desired, but the clear crisp sound coming from our speakers was music to our ears. As we’ve said before, if you’re planning on purchasing a new ST3-based Sea-Doo this year, don’t do so without the Premium Audio package. Seriously.
By this time, our group leader, Tom Hill had planned on navigating a path for us to see the lake’s dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers back in 1964, but the first drops of rain began to spatter down.
As we sped back so did the rain fall. Knowing our time was short (if not completely up), we circled around towards the launch ramp and began the process of packing up and strapping down our machines for the drive home.
With our Wake Pro 230 finally broken in, we know were ready to kick off the riding season in style. Once again, it was a real treat to join the Middle Tennessee Personal Watercraft Club for another one-day adventure and look forward to many more to come.
Additional photography provided by Middle Tennessee Personal Watercraft Club.
An unfortunate incident on the Boise River left the Boise Fire Department without its Jetcraft XS SJ jet boat. The department’s Jet Ski was also recently damaged. The guys are literally up a creek without a paddle and no way to clear the river of debris. The timing is extremely bad due to the fact that “float season” is soon to start. It’s important to clear the river of trees and other objects that can impair or injure people floating downstream.
“We’re not really sure how that’s going to occur this year,” Boise Fire spokeswoman Char Jackson told the Statesman Wednesday. “We’re working on a plan to clear that debris, utilizing something else.”
The department may end up contracting out the tree removal since there are no similar boats available.
As far as the latest incident, shore-based rescue techniques have been a staple of the department since getting the jet boat in 2012. The firefighters are well trained in the event of a rescue and often practice on the river, so they were ready when their recent training exercise turned into a rescue. Their jet boat smashed into a Broadway Bridge pillar and the engine filled with water and the men immediately went into rescue mode. Two firefighters had to be rescued by another team using ropes to hoist them to the top of the bridge. One firefighter was able to escape the wreckage and swim to shore.
The jet boat is currently under evaluation by insurers who will determine if it can be repaired.
The department’s Jet Ski suffered damage last month after the motor sucked up debris and rope. It’s currently being repaired. Paul Roberts, Boise Fire Division Chief of Special Operations, said the PWC is more prone to damage from debris in high water, so it’s not ideal to use in the river at this time. The water is just too high.
Hopefully, the Boise firefighters will soon be back in the water rescue business.
The Watercraft Journal sat down for a coffee with Krista Uzare, #95 the 24-year-old Latvian who took the world by storm in her first two years of international racing. A fractured tibula meant she could only sit on the sidelines of the first Grand Prix of the season.
“When I first tried jet skiing, my ski actually sank, I was going so slowly it filled with water and just sank, for many years I didn’t want to try it again. I thought that this was a message and it wasn’t meant to be for me.
“My father raced, so I was just happy to travel with him and watch, until one day I realized that it was no more fun just to watch the racing. I wanted to try it again; I had a message I think. It was half way through the 2010 season when I began to race, like normally.
“That year, Dad took us to Lake Havasu for the World Finals; I was so slow I didn’t even qualify so I am sure that there are no records of me racing. I raced with my friends in Latvia and did some Baltic events. Then three years ago my jet ski idol, the Austrian Kevin Reiterer came to Latvia to give us a training camp.
“He asked me why I was only racing at my local club and encouraged me to apply to join the World Series. That winter I applied and they agreed, I thought how better could it get just to race with the fastest girls in the world.
“I didn’t have any goals, it was just so awesome. At the last round in United Arab Emirates I finished on the podium 2nd step and finished the season third overall, I could see I could actually do it, I went home and trained harder, I had to set myself a much bigger goal.
“Then in my second year taking the 2018 world title, well I couldn’t believe how amazing that felt.
“I knew my rivals would be training harder for this year so I trained even harder. Running, cycling, cross-fit, cardio, I do everything, the more the better because for jet ski we need a diverse range of things.
“I eat healthy, I eat a lot of meat and I don’t eat sweets or junk. I am hard on myself; I am strict whatever needs to be done. I just do it. I am my own trainer and motivator. Every year I say that I have never been fitter especially this winter.
“I always have a rivalry with my dad and it was always one of my goals to beat him. Finally after the long winter training, this spring I was actually able to be faster than him. I was stronger than ever and determined to defend my position this season, and then the leg happened.
“This is my first ever injury, I wasn’t even crying, I just took it. Disappointed not to be racing in the first Grand Prix, yes, but I have been thinking why did it happen, so many factors that all happened to be in one place. What was the probability of it happening, it is so low, which makes you think. I believe in some signs.
“It is still snowing back home, so coming to the GP gives me a chance to observe how the other girls race and I have my tablet with 20 books still to read. It’s really hard to travel with crutches, I can’t even imagine for some people that have much more difficulty.
“Eventually I would really love to be on a team, so I can just train and race all of the time, but I have to work too. I’m a Financial Analyst in a bank, I love finances, I like to learn and I read a lot of books, so my life isn’t just sports.
“Time flies so I hope it goes quickly for the leg but I expect that I will skip round two. I will be back for China the UAE and India and will be stronger than ever.
If you’ve been in the jet ski community for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard good things about Jet Pilot wetsuits and gear! An upstanding name in the watersport community – Jet Pilot not only offers extremely comfortable, stylish, and stretchy wetsuits, but also apparel, gloves, shoes, and more.
I had the opportunity to wear the 2019 Jet Pilot Matrix Pro jacket and john over the winter here in Texas. Despite having 4 other wetsuits, the Matrix Pro is always my go-to suit. I’ve worn wetsuits from Jettribe, Slippery, Body Glove, Roxy, and a few other lesser known brands over the years and all of them kept me warm and did what they needed to do. Not bad brands by any means, but Jet Pilot suits are steps above!
What makes Jet Pilot my brand of choice for the last few years is the comfort, reliability, usability, and affordability that outperforms the rest. The Matrix Pro jacket and john are both 2mm thick, and when combined your core has a nice, toasty 4mm thick layer of soft, breathable neoprene to block out the cold.
Have I mentioned how soft these suits are? Seriously, even after a full day on the water not even a whisper of skin chafe or irritation. They are so stretchy that even my wider female hips fit comfortably into a men’s wetsuit with no odd bunching or overly stretched areas. That is a thing of beauty since women are a decidedly smaller market in the motorsports community. Ill fitting women’s apparel runs rampant, but no fear, Jet Pilot uses top-notch neoprene and also offers dedicated women’s wetsuits.
The Matrix Pro’s smooth neoprene lends itself to easy entry and exit. So instead of getting a workout just getting into your wetsuit, you can focus your physical efforts on riding and not gearing up. Since this is a two-piece suit, the 2mm john uses velcro on one shoulder to assist getting the suit on and off. If you are like me and have large heels, the leg zippers are a welcome feature to help get the big feet through small, leg-hugging wetsuit bottoms.
And I can’t forget the grippy 3mm shin pads. I’ve tested these out in races, and they grip the tray on a start better than other brands I’ve tried. Plus you get a little bit more protection than bare shin bone! The Matrix Pro 2mm jacket is simple to adorn with it’s large front zipper that is easy to grasp even with cold fingers.
OK, it is soft, stylish, and easy to get in and out of, but we’re not going for a stroll at the mall. Does the wetsuit keep you warm when riding? Yes, despite Texas winters being mild, for a thinner wetsuit the Matrix Pro has a wide effective temperature range.
Obviously, temperature comfort is different for each person, but speaking in broad terms this suit will do exactly what you ask of a 2mm suit, and when combined with john and jacket, a 4mm core.
I preferred this Matrix Pro over a dedicated 2/3mm one-piece wetsuit just because of its flexibility. In mild temperatures the john was comfortable by itself, and when the cold fronts rolled in I grabbed the jacket and enjoyed some warmth on those cloudy winter days.
Though wetsuits are known for cold weather, they are also great options for protection when racing or enjoying spirited recreational riding. Having the buoyancy and protection of a wetsuit is welcome when ejected from your ski. Water can be harsh at 70mph!
The john can offer year-round leg protection for those stand up riders looking to reduce small cuts and bruises from the dreaded knee and shin bash on the movable pole and handlebars! Sit downs seats are also known for chafing the inner leg so suit up with the Matrix Pro and avoid that discomfort all together!
The 2019 Matrix Pro jacket and john are available in three color combos to fit your needs. The grey/black is featured here, with other options being red/blue and green/black. At just $119.99 for the jacket and $164.99 for the john, the Matrix Pro is a comfortable, effective investment to add to your riding kit!
Yamaha has made numerous updates and innovations for 2019. Through these changes, Yamaha improves the features and user-friendliness of its already-impressive lineup of WaveRunners and Boats however they never stray from their basic principles.
Throughout the concept, design, and manufacturing phases, Yamaha always focuses on their Japanese principles of Monozukuri and Kando. Yamaha’s mindset of Monozukuri means that they always aim for consistency and excellence.
A consistent product puts the signature marks of Yamaha WaveRunners on each and every single unit. This proves for a product that is unmistakably recognizable all over the world. Excellence is well; a truly remarkable and excellent piece of machinery.
According to Yamaha, they also strive for Kando or the Japanese principle meaning intense excitement. This is proven by every rider all over the world. Take one ride aboard a Yamaha WaveRunner and you will agree, the intense excitement is there.
The innovation and excellent products developed through Monozukuri combined with the rush of feelings generated through Kando are blended into an almost art form. This is Yamaha’s “Art Of Making Things” and it is a core philosophy that stays true even today.
So why not join in on the Yamaha fun today. Select your WaveRunner and start creating your own feelings of Kando.
Owning a personal watercraft should be a stress-free experience. That’s why Yamaha makes it easy, utilizing more durable materials and top technology in their WaveRunners. Here are a few key points to think about when considering your next WaveRunner purchase.
Consider design and technology for starters. By shear design and quality, Yamaha WaveRunners are some of the most durable and reliable personal watercraft on the market.
Yamaha is always innovating their WaveRunner lineup. Their forward-thinking approach has led Yamaha to become the #1 global brand on the water. From the new sporty EXR to the brand new FX with an industry first full color touch screen instrument panel, there’s always something new to be discovered.
In addition to new features, Yamaha is also keen to support the customer even when he or she is not riding. Their mobile app and revolutionary new customer lifecycle program show Yamaha’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
Consider also that Yamaha WaveRunners are proudly assembled in the USA. Their manufacturing practices are not only high quality in nature, but also environmentally forward-thinking. More peace-of-mind in your WaveRunner ownership.
Yamaha is always moving the industry forward as well. Take for example the new multi-mount system on the FX platforms and audio packages on the EX and VX series. From waterproof wireless speakers to GPS fish finders, these are more ways the user can customize their ride.
Furthermore, you can always check out the list of current offers from Yamaha. Another list of reasons that Yamaha is making ownership easy.
Brian Baldwin, a member of Yamaha’s factory team, threw down the gauntlet during competition in the first round of Pro Watercross. The race was held May 4th and 5th at Pensacola Beach, FL. Saturday’s conditions were heavy consisting of rough seas and sketchy weather. The racers pushed on and Brian Baldwin scored top honors in the Pro-Am R/A Box Stock Class. He was riding the RIVA Powered 2019 Yamaha FX SVHO. It’s a beast of a machine outfitted with RIVA’s new FX handling package, which includes RIVA Ride Plate, Intake Grate, Sponsons, and Steering System.
The RIVA Ride Plate enabled Baldwin to increase his top speed and masterfully handle his PWC. The deep channels enabled Baldwin to put the hammer on the throttle while still controlling the watercraft at high speeds. His machine was able to hold a harder edge during high speed turns, which worked in Baldwin’s favor considering the rough conditions. The complete FX handling package was put to the test during Saturday’s “wash cycle” conditions. Both the weather and water were turbulent. Baldwin didn’t back down and handled his competitors and unruly conditions like a boss!
RIVA Racing’s own master engine tuner, Jesus Garcia went to work reflashing the ECU with the MaptunerX tuning system, giving Baldwin’s Yamaha WaveRunner even more horsepower. He turned it up! The RIVA powered Yamaha FX SVHO allowed Baldwin to push the limits and score top honors in the Pro-Am R/A Box Stock Class after winning all three motos, making him the dominant performer. It was either go home or go big and Baldwin went big!
Well if you are in the market for a new ride, look no further. 
Obviously, temperature comfort is different for each person, but speaking in broad terms this suit will do exactly what you ask of a 2mm suit, and when combined with john and jacket, a 4mm core.
