Broward Motorsports says Uncle Sam wants to hook you up with a 15% tax break on PWC performance parts! The sale includes parts for Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. Hurry and head to Broward Motorsportswebsite to get your savings before the sale ends. When checking out, use discount code TAX2019. Free shipping is available throughout the continental United States on orders over $125.
A huge selection of products is available. The shop has everything you need whether, you only want to upgrade your PWC or replace worn parts. Everything from spark plugs to intercooler kits are available. Hit the dropdown menu for tons of options to find what you’re looking for or simply use the search engine feature. Some of the parts are pricey and now is the time to get them at a decent pre-season discount, especially if you received a sweet tax refund that’s just itching to leave your pocket. Below is only a sample of products to pique your interest.
Fifteen percent off of a WORX Racing Performance Intercooler for a Sea-Doo 300 will come in handy if you’re looking to upgrade your machine. Maybe you ride a Yamaha SHO/SVHO and need to rebuild your Supercharger. Broward Motorsports carries the complete service kit, including the bearings and plates that aren’t available to purchase separately. Simply want to increase your Kawasaki Ultra 300/310 speed by a 1 or 2 mph? Broward Motorsports carries an anodized pump wedge, which will lift the bow giving you that extra bump in speed. It’s an inexpensive easy to install upgrade that also allows for better handling.
Check out the site for a complete rundown of performance products. More than a catalogue’s worth of products is available for Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. Hurry and don’t miss out on Broward Motorsports Tax Relief Sale!
Neoprene tour coats work very similarly to wetsuits; they absorb water and use that heavy layer to encapsulate the body heat to keep you warm. This works well, particularly with well-made tour coats, but the exchange is wearing a heavy, water-laden neoprene jacket that flaps like a sail when you ride at speed. For those who choose not to wear a tour coat but a traditional jacket or windbreaker, most aren’t waterproof or even resistant, are poorly ventilated or unable to properly keep you comfortable in a variety of conditions.
With snow still falling in northern states (including North Carolina) this late in the year, cold weather riding gear is still on people’s minds – ironically, while warmer states are already in shorts-and-flip flop season. Although we didn’t see much more than a few flurries, Tennessee suffered under a very cold and wet winter, requiring us to don riding gear that best repelled rain and staved off freezing gusts as we continued our weekly test riding sessions. And that is why we’re happy to have received WindRider’s Pro Foul Weather Jacket.
Above: The WindRider Pro Foul Weather Jacket is made with waterproof, water-wicking materials and lined with several layers to keep the coat breathable and fast-drying no matter the circumstances.
Above: Pockets? Did somebody say “pockets?” Yeah, the WindRider Pro Foul Weather Jacket has plenty of ’em.
Initially designed for sailors and fishermen by boat builders from Minnesota, WindRider expertly crafted a jacket that addresses all of the major environmental concerns when out on the open seas. Although not originally intended for personal watercraft use, the Pro Foul Weather Jacket is cut large enough to accommodate wearing a PFD underneath and still remain comfortable. Even with a life vest on, range of motion is contained but nonrestrictive, allowing for easy motion throughout the ski, ever lurching over the bars into the front storage.
The jacket is entirely waterproof, made with multiple layers of water-wicking, breathable materials that permit for quick drying whether your sitting stationary in pelting rain or clipping along the water as whitewash pelts your ski. All of the seams are fully taped; the front double zipper is enclosed in a Velcro-lined double storm flap, and a roll-a-way hood with a bill tucks into the fleece-lined high collar. The hood is adjustable and synches close with twin drawstrings, and when rolled away, is protected by a Velcro-sealed flap.
Above:The roll-away hood and cap tucks neatly into the fleece-lined collar and will keep you warm and protected thanks to two drawstrings.
Above left:The high collar is fleece-lined so it won’t chafe when the wind blows by. Above right: The sleeves feature both an inner and outer adjustable cuff, with the inner being a rubberized liner that keeps out water when cinched tight.
WindRider pretty much thought of everything, including not one Velcro-adjustable cuff, but a rubberized adjustable inner cuff (with a second Velcro-strap) that not only keeps the rain and wind out, but acts as a faux-drysuit, keeping your arm dry as you submerge it underwater. It’s brilliant! And when the cold air gets too much for your hands to take, the fleece-lined “hand warmer” pockets live up to their name. In fact, WindRider covered the jacket in pockets; two extra deep, Velcro-closed lower pockets, two zipper chest pockets, and an internal mesh pocket.
Available in either red, white or black, the Pro Foul Weather Jacket features reflective logos front and back, an adjustable hem, and a heavy-duty construction that will last over years of use. Remarkably, the Pro Foul Weather Jacket’s asking price is $124.95, which retails for slightly more than most PWC industry-offered neoprene tour coats! Considering the thought, detail and quality of materials used in WindRider’s jacket, that is a staggeringly good offer. Of all of our cold weather gear that we’ve used in recent years, WindRider’s Pro Foul Weather Jacket is easily one of our all-time favorites. Sized from Small to XXXL, there’s a WindRider coat that’s perfect for you too.
Even on a sunny day with waves only in the 10-20ft. range; the break at Mavericks is a dark and scary place. The waves are formed by seamounts and other bathymetric features located well below the surface and it takes a big swell to create waves that will break in the deep cold water. The paddle out is no joke and one most certainly doesn’t want to get washed up into Boneyards or anywhere near Mushroom Rock. Those two areas have some crazy stories to back them up. Those are for another time. This is just to give the reader some background information about the spot and why it’s a big deal that the surfers were able to be rescued.
Mavericks is located in Half Moon Bay, along the Northern California coastline where great whites are not uncommon. March 24, 2019 was no exception. A small to medium size swell hit the northern California coast and a small group of surfers were on it at Mavericks when Drake Stanley decided to make an appearance on his jet ski.
Drake Stanley is a surfer who sometimes runs water safety on his ski. He’s a regular at Mavericks whether operating his ski or surfing. He surfed Sunday morning and decided to head back out on his PWC that afternoon. He set himself up to run safety for the crew who were catching some afternoon bombs. Next thing you know, he sees a behemoth great white headed his way. He told local media that it looked like a whale and that he could have reached out and touched it as it swam under his ski.
Stanley estimated the length of the shark to be in the 15-20 foot range. Stanley saw the shark make a beeline for a surfer who was paddling away from the pack and making his way in. He immediately went into rescue mode. He cranked up his PWC and put it on top of the shark as he got between it and the surfer. The surfer didn’t even realize that the shark was stalking him. Stanley revved his motor and the animal changed course and headed toward the surfers still in the lineup. Stanley alerted the guys as he quickly made his way to the surfers. All of the guys managed to escape by grabbing onto the ski and rescue sled and Stanley skillfully towed them to safety. Wild times at Mavs!
Stanley exclaimed, “I had like 8 people (on). I basically evacuated Mavericks! The shark was definitely inspecting us. I’m not sure if it was going to attack that guy, but this was definitely the scariest encounter I’ve ever had in the ocean.”
Back for the second annual is the 2019 Hot Products moto-surf, freeride exhibition, and Impros freeride competition in Huntington Beach. It will be held this coming weekend April 5-7 at Huntington Beach Pier (Southside).
Last year’s event was a huge success and this year plans to be even more spectacular with newly added events including an invitational Impros freeride.
You will find the full press release including a link to the live stream event below.
The 2019 2nd Annual Hot Products Huntington Beach Moto-Surf, Freeride Exhibition & Impros Freeride Competition
April 5-7, Huntington Beach Pier (Southside)
Capitalizing on the huge success of last years event and a tremendous amount of hard work since November 2018, we are pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Hot Products Huntington Beach Moto-Surf & Freeride Exhibition!
New for 2019 is the Impros Huntington Beach Freeride
For 2019 this freeride is an invitational event and will feature these top 8 Pro Freeriders:
Mark Gomez, Abraham Hochstrasser, Taylor Curtis, Tom Scaccianoce, Jake Bright, Chris Grace, Brandon Lawlor and Randy Lawlor *It was not our goal to exclude riders but due to limited water time available for the 2019 event we are limited to an 8 rider event.
Huntington Beach Freeride Exhibition
Thank you to TC Freeride, Rickter-RRP, Krash Industries and Blowsion for supporting this exhibition *This exhibition is only for the exhibition sponsors.
The event will be available via live stream for both Saturday and Sunday
https://www.youtube.com/c/LiveStreaming247/live
Please forward this link to help support this great event.
This year’s event is event has so much more to offer than the 2018 event.
Friday April 5th:
The parking lot/pits will be open from 6:30am to 5:00pm to allow for setup.
*Alcohol is not allowed at Huntington Beach, this includes the parking lot/pit area.
NEW for 2019, we are offering paid racing practice for 2 hours Friday afternoon, $50.00 per rider and you must be entered in the race to practice, the practice will be on the actual track for the weekend racing, where else can you practice in the surf for a race?
Larry Rippenkroger will be on site all day filming for the Hot Water Movie, only movie personnel are allowed in the water during the filming on Friday.
Pit setup on the beach will be allowed Friday at a set time and it is highly recommended you setup your beach pit Friday,
Ross of RPM Racing will have a time posted when you check into the pits, please check with RPM for beach pit location availability.
Kawasaki Motor Corporation will be on site with (2) Kawasaki Mules to tow your trailers on to the beach if you do not have a ATV or UTV, thank you Aaron Cress and everyone at Kawasaki for offering this great support.
Factory Zero will be debuting the new Factory Beach Trailer in the pits and this trailer will be available in conjunction with Kawasaki for racers that do not have a trailer or beach tote.
RPM Racing is supplying a guard to be on the beach both Friday and Saturday nights to provide security.
Saturday April 6th:
Moto 1 Racing Starts at 10:00am Freeride Exhibition after race 9 (20 minutes) *This exhibition is only for the exhibition sponsors.
all classes will complete Moto1 before the lunch break Impros Freeride Round 1 Lunch time
Moto 2 Racing Starts immediately after the freeride finishes Freeride Exhibition after race 27 (20 minutes) *This exhibition is only for the exhibition sponsors.
all classes will complete Moto 2 before we end the day
Sunday April 7th:
Moto 3 Racing Starts at 10:00am Freeride Exhibition after race 9 (20 minutes) *This exhibition is only for the exhibition sponsors.
all classes will complete Moto1 before the lunch break Impros Freeride Semi Finals and Finals Lunch time
Moto 4 Racing Starts immediately after the freeride finishes Freeride Exhibition after race 27 (20 minutes) *This exhibition is only for the exhibition sponsors.
Awards are scheduled to be 30 minutes after racing ends, location to be announced during the day by RPM Racing.
A final note: Both RPM Racing and Hot Products cannot stress how important this race is and how important we have a good showing and are seen as a professional group of racers. If you want surf racing to continue and possibly grow to be more events, please support this event!!
For all questions, please call or email
Ross – [email protected] or (310) 318-4012
Tom Perry Hot Products [email protected] or 858-453-4454
A 57-year-old British man with a warrant out for his arrest was seen fleeing Western Australia on a jet-ski loaded with supplies. He was in it for the long haul as he was trying to make a break for Papua New Guinea. The guy was wanted by police for possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and also for possession of stolen property. The man was making a break when someone noticed him leaving the Queensland area.
Law enforcement was notified and officers from three different agencies climbed aboard the Roebuck Bay, a Border Force vessel. They proceeded to chase down the man as he was attempted to outrun them during the high-speed pursuit. He was no match for the officers and they grabbed him less than ten miles from the Papua New Guinea mainland. From there, he was then taken to Thursday Island where he was booked and held by Queensland police.
Australian’s Border Force Commander Jo Crooks said it was a great result for the multi-agency team.
“Anyone who thinks they can either enter or leave Australia through the [Torres Strait] region without detection should think again,” she said.
Torres Strait councillors and community members helped authorities by letting them know the possible route the man would take on his way to the mainland. The unidentified male appeared before the Cairns Magistrate Court and according to court records, he pleaded guilty to both charges.
A brief statement made by a Western Australian (WA) Police spokesman said; “WA Police Force is aware of the arrest made in the Torres Strait by Queensland Police and Commonwealth law enforcement agencies. Based on this development WA Police Force is currently assessing the potential extradition process.”
Sometimes leaks happen from the unlikeliest sources. Over the weekend a reader sent us a very low resolution image pulled from Yamaha’s own online accessory store ShopYamaha.com that supposedly had been posted earlier last week and quickly taken down – but not before some eagle-eyed Yamaha enthusiasts grabbed it first!
We blew it up and tried to sharpen the image in Photoshop, and what we got was what you see above. Clearly it’s an iteration of the FX Cruiser (we think a SVHO because of the large print logo behind the passenger’s foot) in a very catchy metallic blue, a color option not available for 2019 so we’re presuming it’s a 2020 unit.
But what is more striking is what the riders are wearing:
The long riding pants and “float coat” style jackets appear to be new cold weather riding items slated to arrive in next year’s apparel section; but the big items are the open faced helmets! Obviously, helmets aren’t required riding gear – particularly open-faced ones – so that left us scratching our heads.
We asked around to some inside sources who alerted The Watercraft Journal to Yamaha’s plans for opening up its watercraft accessories line in a very big way. The first being the integration of existing Bluetooth driver/passenger communication technology (borrowed from its Star motorcycle line), and an industry-first audio entertainment package!
Little did we know that the existing 7-inch all-color LCD screen is ready to be upgraded into an infotainment console capable running live trip data, linking a smartphone to bring your pre-recorded music with you, or stream Pandora thanks to the onboard USB or Bluetooth wireless connection option.
Through the speakers and microphone integrated into the helmets, Yamaha’s new Communications Suite will put the driver in crystal-clear communication with the passenger as well as through the Bluetooth-connected smart phone, allowing them to make phone calls or select music all via voice command.
Obviously, not everyone will want to ride wearing a helmet, so Yamaha Accessories Division plans on offering a lesser-priced headset-and-microphone package. With this, we’re certain Yamaha will leapfrog the competition in rider-friendly accessories and infotainment!
It’s no fun when politics start mandating what we can do in our spare time. As per an article published in National Maritime News late last month, officials within the United States Coast Guard petitioned an addendum to its USCG Minimum Requirements for Small Craft and Recreational Vessels (33 CFR 175.102) requiring that all small recreational craft (ie. personal watercraft, jet ski, etc.) be fitted at all times with a “functioning vertical sprayer providing increased visibility, alerting boaters of the vessel’s presence.”
Per the article, this new addendum is scheduled to be activated January 1st, 2020, and is required equipment for all new and “currently operational vehicles.” Although Yamaha WaveRunners are the only units currently sold with such “visibility spouts” – and have been since 1986 – this new requirement will force OE manufacturers Kawasaki and Sea-Doo to quickly develop their own form of the cautionary sprayer spout – although, we’ve heard both companies’ lawyers and the American Watercraft Association are already battling the new law.
The biggest blow will come to the recreational watercraft enthusiasts, who will be forced to retrofit a sprayer to their watercraft or face a fine similar to riding without registration numbers or tags (that is, in the states who choose to enforce the new law) – and fine that averages nationally about $225 per offense. Although many Yamaha owners choose to disconnect their factory visibility spouts, thankfully reconnecting them isn’t too difficult.
All of the current USCG regulations can be found at USCGBoating.org, with 33 CFR 175.102 being added shortly, once finally ratified. For more information, please make sure to read the full article HERE.
[Editor’s note: This article was published under the incorrect understanding that Mark Gomez would be present at Wave Daze. He will not. This is simply advertisement for attendees to visit the Bomber Eyewear booth in the Vendor Area at next month’s event. The original article is left “as is” below. –Ed.]
There are few superstars in this industry, and those who are, most you don’t really want to meet (trust us on this one). But one who will definitely live up to your expectations is Mark Gomez. One of the world’s most talented freeriders, freestyle athletes and surf racers, Gomez is an incredibly well-rounded racer and competitor, as well as a super cool dude. No really, the guy is 100-percent genuine.
That’s why we’re helping get the word out about the Bomber Eyewear meet-and-greet with Mark Gomez happening at this upcoming Wave Daze happening this coming April 12-14, 2019 at 8th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
The Hydro-Turf ambassador and Bomber Eyewear team rider wrote, “Come out and see me in [Virginia Beach] at the Bomber Eyewear tent! We will be set up at the vendors area by the Quality Inn pool next to the boardwalk, April 12, 13, 14 for Wave Daze 2019! Special event pricing, free giveaways, free gift with purchase!”
Let’s just be frank; Yamaha has been enjoying a heck of a streak recently. Not only has the aftermarket fully embraced the SVHO powertrain, developing stellar performance parts to eke as much oomph out of the 1.8L as possible, but it’s GP1800 (and now GP1800R) has been an almost unflappable force to contend with. Add to that the new FX platform, and those riding Yamahas are looking to dominate the race winner’s podiums more often than not.
With that, and the news of Sea-Doo’s almost unanimous withdrawl of racer support, and it’s looking like Yamaha will go unchallenged. So wit, Yamaha WaveRunners just released its full roster of factory-supported racers, teams and which events they look to reign supreme over. It’s a veritable who’s who of big name talent, as well as a couple newcomers who we at The Watercraft Journal will be watching closely.
Here’s the original release: The most successful personal watercraft racing program in the history of the sport announced that it will campaign the 2019 P1 AquaX Tour and IJSBA World Finals with a factory race team headlined by the biggest names in PWC racing.
Leading the Yamaha WaveRunner factory team effort is current Pro Runabout Stock world champion Chris MacClugage and current P1 AquaX Tour champion Eric Francis. MacClugage is a 24-time world and national champion, and Francis is the #1 ranked rider in the world by P1 AquaX, followed by Brian Baldwin and MacClugage.
All racers will compete on the P1 AquaX Tour and depending on conditions will either ride the World champion design of the GP1800R SVHO or the all new platform of the 2019 FX SVHO. The new FX SVHO WaveRunner kicked off the 2019 racing season dominating the Hahn 300 endurance race in February. The Hahn 300 is the longest, most grueling PWC endurance race in the world.
“With the introduction of this new FX model, we’re going to see a lot of racers gravitate to it, just like many of the pros already have,” said Scott Watkins, Yamaha’s WaveRunner product manager. “There’s never been a combination quite like this – of Power with stability, Control and precision handling. It will be exciting to watch everything play out in what is expected to be a Yamaha-dominated starting line, and podium.”
2019 Yamaha WaterCraft Factory Riders: Broward Motorsports: Eric Francis, Sophie Francis, Chris MacClugage RIVA Motorsports: Brian Baldwin, Dustin Farthing, Phil Pope Dean’s Team: Aero Aswar, Aqsa Aswar Non-Affiliated: Tyler Hill, Eric Lagapalous, Dennis Mack
P1 AquaX Tour Dates: Apr 13-14, 2019 Daytona Beach, Fla May 11, 2019, Kissimmee ~ St Cloud, Fla Jun 15-16, 2019 St. Pete Beach, Fla Aug 3-4 2019 Michigan City, Fla Sep 7-8, 2019 Pensacola Beach, Fla Oct 26-27, 2019 Ft Lauderdale. Fla
IJSBA World Finals Dates: October 5-13, 2019 Lake Havasu City, Ariz
For true boating and watercraft enthusiasts, from sailors to jet skiers, nothing beats a good competition. Sure, there’s something relaxing about a leisurely day on the water, and more challenging activity can be enjoyable without having to be part of a race. But the ultimate test of handling most any kind of watercraft, save for escaping some kind of dangerous situation (which you obviously don’t strive to get into in the first place), is a race.
Now, for the most part watercraft races aren’t considered to be “major” sports in the traditional sense. They’re not always on television, and they don’t tend to generate too much press. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. In sailing, rowing, jet skiing, and speed boating, there are great races held all over the world. Because they don’t get too much press however, we’re identifying some of the very best ones to tune in for and enjoy.
Daytona AquaCross
If you aren’t familiar with AquaCross (sometimes written AquaX), it is essentially professional jet ski racing, and it’s in the early stages of what appears to be a push for more popularity. Jet skiing is likely to always be a niche sport, most popular on beaches and in similar communities, and among those who happen to be enthusiasts themselves. For 2019, the sport has a packed slate of races and any one of them could wind up being the most special or the most exciting. We’re highlighting April’s Daytona race simply because it’s the first on the circuit, and should be fun launch to a very exciting season of growth.
Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
Unlike jet skiing, which remains a sort of fringe activity where organized competition is concerned, there are countless high-profile sailing or “yachting” races around the world. Frankly we could have picked several of them and they’d have fit nicely here, but the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is definitely one of the biggest occasions of the bunch. To put it simply, this is a race that starts in Sydney during the Boxing Day holiday and runs over 600 miles southwest toward Hobart, on the island of Tasmania. People gather at both the start and finish points to watch the race, and both occasions are essentially holidays for those involved.
The Boat Race
The Boat Race may seem more tame than any of these in that it’s a college rowing competition. However, it may be a bigger deal than any of the rest of these. It essentially halts the day in London as people flock to the Thames to watch the heated rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge rowing teams. In the days leading up to the competition, the UK’s dedicated bookmaking sites for sports betting tend to have up-to-date odds and sometimes even written analysis about the race. It’s simply more of a spectacle than your average watercraft race, and whether you’re a student, citizen, visitor, bettor, or even viewer from abroad, it’s a thrilling occasion.
Super Boat International World Championships
Super Boat International is probably the most exciting power boat racing series on the planet, and like AquaX, it has a full slate of events. Any one of them can be an absolute joy to watch, because in this case it’s really the power and maneuverability of the boats that’s the most fun to watch. Above all other events though, the world championships in Key West make for the true must-see race. Not only is Key West a gorgeous vacation destination to begin with, but these races involve the best super boat competitors in the world, and the spectators essentially throw a party.
