We’ve all seen. Heck, you might’ve even poked a little fun at the poor soul trying unsuccessfully to launch their personal watercraft by themselves at the ramp. In fact, watching folks make fools out of themselves at launch ramps is considering an entertaining afternoon around Lake Havasu (seriously, people line up alongside the launches just to critique others ability – or lack thereof – when it comes to launching their boat or ski).
The technically-minded gurus at 3ftDeep, an ongoing video series filmed out of White Rock, BC, Canada, threw together a very quick and easy to follow guide on successfully launching a full-sized Sea-Doo RXT 260 all by his lonesome. Interestingly there were a few tips that we here at the The Watercraft Journal hadn’t considered before, and are looking forward to giving them a try the next time we hit the water (in a day or two).
While this how-to won’t help you become better at backing up a trailer, or gauging how deep you need to submerge the back of your car into the lake (hint: not at all), this video does look to make life easier and shorten the time it takes between getting to the launch to boarding your ski for some fun out on the water.
It’s a common complaint echoing from the bottomless pit of social media trolls. They cry, “Bring back the cheap skis” whenever the subject of the current asking price of today’s latest machines arises. Often, these same grievances are backed by the older watercraft enthusiasts who long for the woebegone days of oily slicks left by smoking 2-strokes and the sounds of Def Leppard cassettes clunking as they switch sides in the tape deck of their T-top Firebird.
Hilariously enough, the march of history has a way of clouding the facts and glossing over the harsher realities that were once our heyday. When properly adjusted for inflation, many of today’s top-of-the-line machines would price almost exactly inline with the then-current machines – if not cheaper! Don’t believe it? Let’s begin by considering one of Yamaha’s most iconic watercraft from the 1990s, the 1993 Yamaha WaveBlaster. When new, it fetched $5,999. When corrected for today’s inflation, adds up $10,470.
[Pictured is NOT a WaveBlaster, but it is a very young Scott Watkins on a new 1993 WaveRunner. There’s no images of original WaveBlaster advertisements anywhere. -Ed.]
Comparatively, the modern equivalent, the brand-new EXR WaveRunner is priced at $9,299 in today’s dollars. When corrected for 1993’s prices, comes to $5,280. That is a staggering $710 less than the first edition WaveBlaster’s original asking price. And the EXR includes modern digitally-mapped fuel injection, Yamaha’s dual throttle RiDE brake and reverse system, it’s proprietary lightweight NanoXcel2 hull and deck material, and automotive-grade paint. In all aspects, the EXR is a steal!
But lets rewind the clock even further. In the Spring of 1988, the then all-new Sea-Doo SP carried an MSRP of $4,499. When corrected for inflation is $9,610. The closest-priced equivalent in today’s lineup is the well-equipped 2019 Sea-Doo GTI 130 at $9,799. Touting the industry’s first on-water brake (iBR), BRP’s Intelligent Throttle Control (giving you Touring, Sport and ECO modes) and a bevy of other standard features, the extra $189 sure gets you a heck of a lot.
But hey! How about for the performance lover? Well, back in 2007, the 215-horsepower Sea-Doo RXP 215 swung an asking price of $11,199. When we correct for modern inflation comes to $13,545. Although the current 2019 RXP-X 300 fetches a hefty $15,399 (in 2007’s dollars it was $12,410, a difference of $1,211), the 2019 RXT 230 is only $13,899, a paltry $355 difference. And what if the 2019 Sea-Doo RXT 230 was available in 2007? You’d be paying $11,198 – one dollar less than the RXP 215.
But, we get it. We’re just talking sitdowns and the standup guys are feeling left out in the cold. So let’s look at the 2011 Kawasaki SX-R. One year prior to its 2012 termination, the SX-R MSRP’ed at $7,899. When corrected for inflation is $8,820. Well, everybody knows that today’s SX-R 1500 retails for $9,999 – a good $1,179 over what a 800 would cost new in today’s dollars…
But what about a brand new, held-over unit? We went to Cycle Springs Powersports and priced out a new, unsold 2018 Kawasaki SX-R 1500 and found it discounted to $8,990; putting us $170 over the ’11 SX-R. And what if it was for sale in 2011? You’re looking at $7,880 – exactly $19 cheaper than the 800cc’s original asking price.
So yeah, when some old crow begins to bemoan that today’s skis are too expensive, just throw a little math their way. In a day when facts are left out of the conversation more often than we care to count, it’s nice to have irrefutable proof in your corner. And while you’re at it, consider all of the awesome features that come standard on today’s machines. Back in the day, you weren’t getting much of anything for the same price.
For such a simple-looking piece of equipment, the impeller (“prop”) of your personal watercraft packs a bunch of innovation. Similar to selecting the proper rear differential gearing for your performance automobile, developing the correct pitch for a prop is just as important to both your personal watercraft’s initial acceleration, planing speed and finally, achieving a desirable top speed.
In a recently uploaded video, RIVA Racing’s own Dave Bamdas walks through the key features in a performance impeller, RIVA’s long-standing relationship with industry mainstay SOLAS, and how both brands work together to create custom pitched impellers to best fit RIVA’s specific performance packages. According to RIVA, increases to low-end thrust and top end speed are all tied directly to the power entering – and in this case, exiting – your jet pump.
And deciding on a pitch has much more to do with engine RPMs. As per Bamdas, “weight, performance attributes, horsepower gains, construction materials, pitches, blade configurations, and more” all play central roles in developing a proper impeller. For more information, visit the SOLAS Impeller section at RIVA Racing here.
Let’s begin by acknowledging that this video is from the 2016 Blowsion Freeride – not this most recent one that happened a couple of weeks ago. But with Daytona on our minds, we wanted to turn back the clock and revisit one of our favorite bits of video footage from the first days when Krash Industries introduced their RTP (Ready to Perform) series of 50 CAL, Reaper and Predator skis.
The video does a great job capturing the spirit of the Daytona Freeride as well as the stoke shared by Krash Industries’ owner Nick Barton, as well as then-Krash Army riders Zack and Jake Bright, and Chris Grace. The RTP lineup has only gotten better, and priced at a super-entry level $12,000 regardless of hull/deck or color, they’re the perfect segue into the world of freeride and just jet skiing in general.
Here’s the original caption for the video when it went live in 2016, “Videographer Dan Mizicko gets behind the scenes at this past Daytona Beach Freeride 2016 and truly encapsulates the camaraderie and lifestyle among members of the Jet Ski community. Closely following Krash Industries owner Nick Barton, professional team riders Zack Bright, Jake Bright and Chris Grace, as well as team mechanics Joe Grace and Jonathan Denham, you really get a sense of how much it means to be a member of the Krash Army.”
It’s a song that we at The Watercraft Journal have been singing for a while now; the PWC industry is really banging on all eight cylinders – particularly when it comes to new vehicle sales. For 2018, the worldwide sales reached over 63,000 units sold. Why that’s a far cry from the heyday years of 100,000 new units sold in 1995, over sixty-thousand is a tremendous feat considering that we were seeing numbers as low as the 20’s just 8 years ago.
While we mainly keep a close watch on how the industry is growing here in the US, we were excited to learn (and share) that new personal watercraft sales in the United Kingdom have reached a 10-year high. And it’s not just a flash in the pan, either; UK new unit sales are increasing by 14-percent, which puts 2019 on track to either meet or exceed 2008’s record sales of 1,780 new units sold. Now that is something to get excited about!
In a recent Facebook post, the Personal Watercraft Partnership (PWP) wrote: “Ski sales approach 2008 record levels. Some great industry news to share. 2018 witnessed 14% YOY increase in sales of skis. That’s 1,526 compared to 1,341 in 2017. In 2008 a record 1,780 were sold. What will 2019 bring?”
[After two potential contributors vanished we had planned on skipping all coverage of this year’s Daytona Freeride altogether. That is, until photographer James Ragan reached out and offered to provide both his photography and written report. – Ed.]
Every now and then you find yourself at the right place at the right time. That is exactly what happened to me. My wife and I were staying at The Plaza Resort and Spa on Daytona Beach for the Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend. On Friday, January 18, about 10am we heard jet skis outside of our room. I went out on the balcony to see what was going on. Off to the left there was about 50 riders out in the surf. I figured this was a normal sight in Daytona Beach.
I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures from my 10th floor view. Because we had a lunch engagement, I was unable to go to the beach. I had about 2 hours to spend on the beach before our events were to start. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, about 70 degrees. The wind was about 6mph with an ENE direction. The surf was about 3-to-4 feet.
Not knowing much of the sport or any of the riders, I decided to stay in one area. As the riders went up and down the beach, I was able to take photos of their back flips, jumps and various maneuvers in the surf. It was difficult to watch everyone. Off to the left you might catch someone doing a trick. I would watch him hoping he would do it again. Then you would see something cool right in front of you or off to the left. I always had to keep my eyes open, hoping to catch something special.
I was able to talk to several of the riders. Most of them were from out of state. One individual was from Michigan. He told me that this was a special event. This was the Daytona Beach Freeride. It only happens once a year. He also informed me of their Facebook page. Wow! That is what I meant about being at the right place at the right time.
On Saturday January 19th about 10am, the action resumed. It was another beautiful day about 77 degrees, but the wind shifted directions. It was now out of the south about 9mph. The surf was a little smaller, about 2-to-3 feet. As the afternoon continued the conditions improved. I had about 2 hours to spend on the beach. I mainly concentrated on the riders directly in front of me or very close. I was also able to get closer to the action with the smaller waves by being able to go a short distance into the water. Only able to take photos for about 4 hours I ended up with over 4,000 shots.
I really enjoyed going through them trying to pick out the best. It wasn’t easy. There were many more to choose from. I also wanted to share as many different rides as I could. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any of the rider’s personal contact info. It would have been nice to have contact with them, find out what they thought of the event, and maybe get a few quotes. I hope you enjoy looking at my images as much as I had taking them. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the event and The Watercraft Journal.
Steven in Sales has done it again with another stellar list. He touches on many must have items for the new ski you picked out of the line up. The hard part is over, now what? We’ll touch on several necessary items and a few fun ones just for kicks. We want you to be safe and legal while enjoying your new ride.
The most important accessory is a life jacket with a lanyard to connect you to your kill-switch. It’s important to purchase a properly fitted life jacket. A jacket that’s too big will most likely come off during a fall into the water or possibly ride up and pull your head underwater. A jacket that’s too small is less likely to keep you afloat because it won’t have enough buoyancy. Yamaha carries a nice WaveRunner starter kit, which contains several basic supplies to help you safely get on the water.
The kit includes two adjustable U.S. Coast Guard Approved PFDs. The jackets can be adjusted from small to large for adults. A clip on whistle for your PFD is included and the whistle meets the requirements for a sound signaling device. A small easy to pack first aid kit is included and it’s suitable for minor injuries. Two black 10” personal watercraft fenders are also included. These will help cut down on dings when docking. Two white 12 foot dock lines are also in the mix. The items aren’t exclusive to Yamaha owners and can be purchased with or without Yamaha branding.
If you’re comfortable buying a PFD online, Watercraft Superstore has several great lines of flotation devices and other necessary items to keep you safe while having fun on the water. The staff is very knowledgeable and will give you great customer service over the phone. They welcome your phone calls and are eager to help. Watercraft Superstore carries vests for everyone. The online shop has every size, style, colorway, and vest entry imaginable. The vests also come in a variety of materials such as neoprene and nylon.
We recommend a life jacket that is USCG Approved. Life jackets are required by law and may save your life. Don’t forget to grab a few extras for friends and family. Something to keep in mind when buying a vest is one that will hold your head above water should you take a spill. A vest that enables you to remain face up will help you be seen as well.
If you’re getting underway with your dog, make sure he or she is wearing a well fitted and easy to spot PFD designed specifically for dogs. We don’t want you to lose your furry friend on the water. The Coast Guard offers these tips and reasons to wear life jackets. It is a great guide to learning about life jackets and other safety procedures. Safety is the number one priority when it comes to water sports.
Water specific clothing and gear are recommended as well. Riding gloves will save your hands from nasty blisters and gloves will help you grip the throttle and lines. A rash guard is good protection against the wind and sun. Grippy riding shoes are great to have, especially if you race or don’t want to slip and slide in the footboards when riding. Check out Slippery Wetsuits for an outstanding selection of killer products. Slippery wetsuits carries a fine line of inexpensive wetsuits and other PWC accessories.
Now if you plan to hang out in an area for some time without a way to dock or beach, a jet ski anchor will come in handy. Several types to consider are sandbag, folding, fluke, mushroom, and screw anchors. RIVA Racing is a good place to start the hunt for an anchor that meets your needs. They have a great selection and all the necessary anchor accessories. The RIVA crew is always ready to help if you have any questions.
Here are some reasons to carry a paddle:
• Your boat breaks down
• Run out of gas
• Maybe you need something to wave down a passing boat
• An extension is needed to help someone in distress in the water
• You’re stuck and need to push off
A dry bag is something we always have onboard when riding or paddling. We like to keep our gear safe from the elements because some of it isn’t meant to get wet. Many of us are fans of SealLine products. Sea to Summit carries a top-notch selection as well. Of course, Sea-Doo and other watercraft brands have their own lines of bags and pouches. Bags come in many different sizes for what you want to carry. Document bags are great for your registration and other important papers you may have onboard. It’s also a good idea to have your non-water resistant phone, GPS, or camera packed in a dry case. Yamaha sells waterproof dry bags for all of your needs.
We mentioned that we’d touch on some fun stuff. Here we go. New wireless Bluetooth systems are available for skis so you can listen to your favorite music or weather reports while on the water. Maybe you’d like an inflatable tube or other fun water toys for an entertaining day on the water with family and friends. Pulling a wakeboard while watching your friends hoot and holler is another exciting way to spend time on the water.
The last thing we’d like to touch on is cleaning your ski after a day on the water.
That’s where JetRenu comes in. JetRenu carries products to fit all of your cleaning and polishing needs. The products are eco-friendly and are clearly marked as to whether they are to be used for automotive, watercraft, other motorsports, and even gym equipment. Neither we nor JetRenu want you to clean your watercraft with the wrong products. JetRenu also carries supplies to help you scrub and buff your watercraft. It doesn’t matter what brand of PWC you ride, these accessories will work for you. For the complete list, check out the Steven in Sales article. Happy riding!
Dustin Farthing serves as an example of how a talented watercraft racer segued his racing career into a lucrative business within the powersports industry. Now the proprietor of Speedzone Motorsports in both Gadsen and Oxford, Alabama, Farthing is still active as both a racer (even claiming yet another IJSBA World Championship this past October in Sport GP) as well as coaching his son Deven, who too actively competes.
One admirable trait of Farthing’s is his keen awareness of what brought him the success he enjoys currently, and the multi-world champion has recently expressed dissatisfaction with the fractured state of the world of professional jet ski racing. So much so, that Farthing shocked the racing community by proposing a 3-day annual world class event that would beckon athletes from around the globe to Atlanta, Georgia with the allure of a $200,000 purse.
The response was overwhelming. At the time of this writing, the proposal has received over 200 comments, 46 shares and hundreds of responses. Farthing wrote in a Facebook post:
Jet ski friends,
This is a question for everyone involved with racing. We all know there’s dozens of series, sanctioning bodies, [and] championship events that claim to be the World or National Championship. We all wait around for schedules, locations, dates and venues constantly every year.
What racers from around the world would support a one-off championship race located in Atlanta, Georgia with a $200,000 payout?
This would be one weekend of racing and the $200,000 purse [would] be paid out to all classes offered. The payout would include amateur, junior, pro am and professional [classes], like it use to in the “old days.”
Atlanta offers the largest airport in the USA, hotels, restaurants, Six Flags [Over Georgia] amusement park, water parks, [World of] Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, basketball Arena and more.
Shipping into nearby ports are easy in Savanna, Georgia and New Orleans, Louisiana. Airport shipping directly into Atlanta and easy entrance for anyone driving into the state.
Tag a friend, and comment if this is a race you would like to see happen?
It has become a bit of a litmus test for me in recent years. While incredibly unique in its topography, the narrow canals, serpentining routes through densely-packed cypress and mossy banks make the circuitous trails of Morgan City, Louisiana an exemplary test bed for new watercraft. Radical swings in weather quickly churn larger bodies of water into brutish chop. A steady stream of recreational boaters, concrete barriers and continual barge traffic all require honed reflexes and a craft responsive to input. In attending the annual Mudbug event, I’ve wily used it also as a proving ground of sorts.
Using what particle of celebrity my position here at The Watercraft Journal can muster, I’ve muscled in on several groups’ rides over the elongated weekend – always equipped with a new or current model machine for the precise reason mentioned. The more technical the route the better. In a good single day’s ride, evaluations on fuel consumption, ergonomic comfort, access to storage and features can be quickly gauged; in addition to assessing rough water tracking, rider response and handling. Truly, the backwaters of the Louisiana bayou have provided this magazine with chapters of data.
Yet, the real testing didn’t begin until weeks later in Morgan City. The Fall Mudbug fell on the same weekend as the IJSBA World Finals; and frankly, a weekend spent riding a brand-new SVHO-powered FX wide-open with friends sounded far more appealing than the other option. Temperatures cooled somewhat since June’s mid-summer Mudbug, and while attendance was lessened, the riding schedule was robust. Hundreds of miles through the St. Mary Parish swamps passed beneath the FX’s redesigned hull and through its 160mm 8-vein pump.
Changes made to the FX platform can nearly be measured in similarities shared with the current GP1800R. Yamaha views its lightweight, podium-dominating GP1800R as a bit of a magnum opus these days; seeing to apply much of the design techniques learned here and used on the FX. For 2019, the footwells are wider, sloping and flanked by shallow gunnels. This permits the more aggressive rider greater ease to reposition their footing when entering into a tight hairpin as well as comfortably moving around the saddle when sitting stationary.
Lined with CNC-cut, two-tone Hydro-Turf traction mats that meet together on a broadened swim platform, the footwells also feature the industry’s first drains. A perforated rubber grommet is backed by a half-inch clear tube running along the left-hand inside, meeting at a T-fitting, and then out of the pump tunnel. It’s gravity siphon, so it works best when either out of the water or at speed. It’s surprisingly low-tech but functional as long as you keep the grommets clear of debris. As hinted, the wide rear platform is relieved to fit a thickly padded, boxed swim step – another “first.”
Aesthetically, the FX’s design is an evolution of the previous model; smoothing the edges and rounding the contours, giving the full-sized 3-seater a swooping, fluid flowline. Dimensionally, the new machine is ever so slightly larger: 140.9-inches long (140.4-inches), 48.4-inches tall (48-inches); 50-inches wide (48-inches); yet impressively, 15-pounds lighter than its predecessor (818-pounds vs. 833-pounds).
And all accomplished while increasing total storage an impressive 11-gallons (44-gal. vs. 33.2-gal.) with most of the gain found in a widened and deepened bow locker. Although standard equipment for the fully-loaded FX Limited SVHO, a soft-sided cooler was designed specifically for the deep recess in the bow. We found our rigid Igloo and camera bag also fit snugly there as well.
Yamaha also radically redesigned its glove box. The result is a easy-to-access, padded and rubber-lined bin nearly a foot deep with a wide entry allowing us to store our full-sized DLSR and other equipment without fear – because it’s also the first watertight glove box in the industry. The soft rubber latch requires some acclimating, but is serviceable once you’ve familiarized yourself with it. Of course, as is with all FX’s, a gasketed watertight screw-top storage pail is fixed beneath the rear passenger; and a dual-latched “wet storage” cubby for a tow rope or other items, is found on the stern as well.
Ergonomically, the new cockpit (or “cabin” as some marketing materials write) feels low-slung and reclined somewhat. The three-tone cut-and-sew seat is moderately bolstered, with attention given towards pinching inward at the knees. The elongated neck sets the steering controls further back, particularly when adjusting the 5-way tilt steering to its lowest setting. Throttle triggers (including RiDE with Traction Control) as well as controls for electric trim, Cruise Assist, No Wake Mode are all within reach, including Yamaha’s new “zero crank” automatic Start button.
Fore of the steering neck are the two ports for the RAM multi-mount system. For the FX SVHO, a single RAM mount puck is provided, paired with a (gratefully deeper) beverage holder. The cup holder can be removed (with the use of a hexed wrench) and upgraded with another RAM base plate, or traded to the other side. The two are identical and can be customized to fit your needs. For most of our time with the 2019 WaveRunner, we kept our Garmin GPSmap76CS on hand, tracking our speed, mileage and so forth. And yes, in Louisiana’s cool morning air, we clicked off a sustained top speed of 68.6 miles per hour (and that was with a 235-pound rider and 64-pound passenger).
Of course, the major addition to all FX machines is the addition of the industry’s first full-color, digital touchscreen dashboard. Operating Yamaha’s ConNext software, operators can toggle through a series of prompts to customize their display colors, input a unique PIN number (thus eliminating the security key fob), as well as observe fuel consumption rates, estimated miles until empty, and engine service alerts. A key feature is the Drive Control feature, allowing the PIN holder to preset maximum speeds and acceleration curves, ideal for new, novice or less-than-trustworthy operators.
Beneath the two-piece saddle rests Yamaha’s Super Vortex High Output centrifugally-supercharged 1,812cc 4-stroke marine engine. The four-cylinder SVHO has been a mainstay of the brand’s top performing WaveRunner lineup since 2014, and has only seen minor changes and material upgrades since its introduction. At 1.8L, it continues as the industry’s largest-displacement 4-stroke available, delivering plenty of low-end grunt to launch the FX SVHO out of the gate, until the boost kicks in rocketing the WaveRunner toward its aforementioned top speed.
Unlike the progressively stepped-V hull of the outgoing FX, the current model borrows heavily from the unbeatable GP1800R. Bellow the pointed splash-guard chine, resides the signature “anchor head” dual coved hull design of the GP. The rounded chines split and divert the water into twin wakes as long lifting strakes run nearly the length of the ski. These give the ski enough lift to ride on the keel without requiring an exaggerated deep-V, which often creates significant drag. When not at a rapid clip, the FX floats on the split cushions produced by this anchor head-design, providing a comfortable, easy ride.
Yet, when wrung out, the FX’s comes to life in a ferocious way. Featuring the most intuitive inside lean of any full-sized runabout available today, the FX SVHO rolls inward, reeling naturally like a sport bike, encouraging the rider to vise the throttle further open. Steering input at these speeds is instantaneous – almost precognitive – and entirely predictable. The WaveRunner rides instinctively forward on its haunches, requiring little added downward trim to really bite into the corners. Coaxing the runabout through the tight twisties of the bayou can appear a bit raucous in the video below but to the pilot, it feels as natural as a water skier threading the buoys.
A weird quirk for the redesigned FX SVHO was an issue with excessive fuel spillage at the pump. For 2019, the filler neck was relocated from high up on the deck (tucked beneath the front cargo hatch) to outside, on the left-side fender. The low sloping, nearly-horizontal angle of the filler tube tends not to evacuate air as rapidly as the previous high-mounted filler, causing the neck to burp up fuel when pumping at too quick of a rate. I learned to slowly fill the tank with the pump nozzle held up over the filler neck to let air escape.
Admittedly, this review comes a little late as gains have already been made by RIVA Racing and other professional tuners, pushing the new FX SVHO to speeds in excess of 84 miles per hour. The potential within the 2019 Yamaha FX SVHO WaveRunner is akin to the unlockable speeds extracted by performance enthusiasts from the GP1800R. Priced at $15,499, the major takeaway from Yamaha’s redesigned FX SVHO is a sportier, more nimble and far more responsive full-sized runabout than ever before. And that is something that will please all of those looking for a top tier 3-seater that can also serve double duty as a riotous, fun-loving performer.
Man, Scott Frazier and the team at IJSBA has been busy. These guys have been globe-trotting for months now, and for good cause. Recently, IJSBA just announced its newest affiliate, The Haiti Watercraft Group. Although still ranked as the poorest sovereign nation in the Western Hemisphere, apparently there is enough of a personal watercraft presence – both recreational and racing – that they met the qualifications to become an affiliate. That’s great news!
Even better news is the organization and announcement of the first-ever Haiti International Jetski Fest scheduled to be held this coming July 20-21st in Cap-Haitien. To learn all about it, here’s the original press release as published on IJSBA.com:
IJSBA is pleased to announce the newest IJSBA Affiliate, The Haiti Watercraft Group. Led, by Calherbe Monel, they have an ambitious first year in mind. The pinnacle of their inaugural year will be the Haiti International Jetski Fest held July 20-21 in Cap-Haitien.
Cap-Haitien has a rich history in Haiti. Formerly the capital of the nation, Cap-Haiten continues to preserve the reputation as the cultural and educational hub of Haiti. Haiti, itself, is a refresher in elementary school subjects of geography and history. Haiti shares the Island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.
Hispaniola is, notably, the landing location of Christopher Columbus marking modern mankind’s concept of the New World and the first celebration of Christmas in the American Continents. All wonderful things to discuss, at some point, but the point of this posting is to announce an amazing IJSBA Sanctioned Personal Watercraft event.
The Haiti Watercraft Group looks forward to hosting a formal competition as well as a sportsman event. This year will also bring forth a component competition in the state of Florida. IJSBA will be bringing news to the community very soon as well as news about how this fits into our greater expansion in the Caribbean.
