Playa El Palmar, located in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is well known for it’s popular surf destinations. Trocones, Saladita, and Ixtapa host many of the beaches where prime surfing breaks are located. Great waves are usually on hand and the area is plenty of fun with its many attractions in addition to surfing. Throw in a massive freestyle jet skiing event and your adventure is complete.
If this area of Mexico wasn’t already known as a high performance jet ski mecca, it is now. We have the first Monster Energy Freeride Series Ixtapa Zihuatanejo 2017 to thank for bringing freestyle skiing to the forefront of Ixtapa. The event was held November 17-19 and was wildly successful. Waves showed up for 30 of the best riders in the world and some incredible high performance freestyle riding was on display for all to see. The camaraderie between riders was amazing with positive vibes all around.
Everyone, including spectators, was so excited and seemed to have the best time of their lives. The event was radical and the locals were stoked to have this elaborate show in town. Abraham Hoschstrasser was probably the most stoked because he won the event.
The final results of the Monster Energy Freeride Series Ixtapa Zihuatanejo are located here. Check out this edit and you’ll see what all the excitement is about! The adrenaline rush is real! Dates and details for the 2018 event are in the works! We can’t wait.
Now is a good time to save some money on parts to soup up your Sea-Doo Spark for racing season. Perhaps you just want to add a little juice to your recreational ride in order to reach the fishing hole a little quicker or jump some boat wake. Spring fever has overtaken some of us and we’re itching to motor into warmer waters. Then again, maybe you’ve put off replacing that old beat up impeller and like the idea of a larger blade for increased speed. Greenhulk has just what you need; the new Solas Concord. It will work on a stock ski or one that’s only slightly modified.
If you’re in the market for an upgraded steering system for your Sea-Doo Spark racing machine; Greenhulk has a killer system from RIVA Racing. The RIVA Racing Sea-Doo Spark Bundle will completely replace an original plastic steering system. The bundle is compatible with standard MX style bars and grips and includes everything you need to step up your set up. Spark plugs, seals, and many other assorted maintenance items are available at discount prices. You don’t have to break the bank in order to score a deal on several high end accessories.
Whatever the reason you want or need performance parts; head over to the Green Hulk website and get hooked up on select Sea-Doo Spark Performance equipment. They only offer the best when it comes to aftermarket goods. Greenhulk PWC Performance Store is offering 10% off select RIVA Racing and R&D components. The store is also granting 10% off all Worx parts and Solas Impellers. Use discount code “greenhulk”. Spend more than $150 in the USA and they’ll knock off the cost of shipping.
Check this out! RPM Racing Enterprises presents 2018 IJSBA sanctioned closed course racing. Ross Wallach shared the announcement on the Region 1 Racing Page.
The next scheduled event is the Jettribe Best of the West Series 2018. Rounds one and two take place May 5th and 6th at The Blue Water Resort and Casino, located in Parker, AZ. These rounds include the Western States Nationals and the 3rd Annual Gary Hart Memorial Race.
July 13th and 14th will be held in Lake Elsinore,CA at Laguna State Park. This event is the Lake Elsinore Open of Water X.
Rounds 5 and 6 go down in Sail Cove, Lake Perris, CA. This is big because it’s the Season Finals of The Jettribe Best of the West. All the competitors want to be the best of the west!
One thing to note is that all events are 2018 IJSBA World Finals Qualifiers. According to the IJSBA rulebook, all competitors must compete in two IJSBA sanctioned events during the season. If a competitor fails to compete in the two sanctioned events, they aren’t eligible to race in the World Finals.
What if I were to tell you that Yamaha Motor Corp. USA was planning to reveal a brand-new 4-stroke WaveBlaster in time for 2023? Most of you would be pretty excited, right? And yes, it would be a true one-seater, lightweight, torquey little wave jumper that was easy to work on – y’know, exactly how you remember the old ones (1993-1996). You’d be pretty excited, right? Good. Now here’s the bad news: they’re not… officially. But that’s not to say they won’t. Here’s how we know:
Remember back mid-last year when the blokes at Yamaha WaveRunners Australia built a handful of one-off, customized Yamaha EX’s? No? Well, you should because they were bitchin’ and we did a story on their WaveBlaster-themed EX that you should read. The ‘Blaster-themed EX wasn’t more than a few cosmetic cues on a standard Azure Blue Metallic EX Deluxe (with RiDE), but it did get the conversation going with enthusiasts and Yamaha executives. And a discourse is what was needed.
“The idea behind the concept was to create a statement piece linking our historical past with the iconic 1993 WaveBlaster, with our all-new EX series,” explained Yamaha Motor Australia’s, Mark Harman. “Yamaha’s personal watercraft have seen incremental evolutions accommodating the demand for features, equipment, stability, versatility and storage. This subsequently meant that the watercraft have grown in size to accommodate the shift towards rider demand.
“For 2017, Yamaha has put the ‘personal’ back in ‘personal watercraft’ with the introduction of the EX series. This new rec-lite series of WaveRunners are fun, playful and exciting. The EX pays homage to where it all started and shares key characteristics of the WaveBlaster of the 1990’s, whilst maintaining the versatility of rider demand with capacity for three riders, tow-sports, generous on-board storage and four-stroke efficiency from the award-winning TR-1 Marine Engine.”
Voices were adamant that the current EX was too big to be faithful to the ‘Blaster, as its 599-pound dry weight dwarfed the OG ‘Blaster’s 320-poundage. Equally, the EX was longer (10’3″ vs. 8′), wider (3’7″ vs. 2’11”) and taller (3’9″ vs. 3’) than its predecessor. So how could it possibly compare? The argument that the EX’s current output of 102-horsepower from TR-1 EX was in equal measurement to the prior ‘Blaster’s paltry 63-horsepower from the 701cc two-stroke, but that didn’t assuage enthusiasts. Only a true 1-seater would suffice.
This lead us to bridging the question to Yamaha WaveRunner’s Product Manager, Scott Watkins during The Watercraft Journal’s exclusive tour of the YMMC (Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation Of America) assembly plant. “We’ve talked about it, sure.” Watkins admitted. “But it’s gotta make sense for us to invest in building it.” Setting up the molds for a production run alone is literally a multi-million dollar endeavor, not to mention all that is required in development, testing, manufacturing and advertising.
Although unwilling to go “on record” with a hard number for minimum sales, other Yamaha employees have thrown around anywhere between 2,400-to-3,000 units annually for 3-to-5 years as a minimum investment in order to consider building any one unit. This figure is a contributing factor as to why we haven’t seen a 4-stroke SuperJet yet (although we know the prototype is near finalized and is slated for a 2020 release). Were a newly-minted ‘Blaster to materialize it wouldn’t be for 5 years or so.
Why so long? For a few reasons: Yamaha (as well as Sea-Doo for that matter) has a 7-8 year lifespan for all hull designs. The EX just appeared last year, and although beginning to reveal its laden potency (particularly when equipped with a RIVA Stage 1 kit, as we have tested before), the EX hull is not designed to have two feet of length cut from its center. Rather, it is very likely that a second-generation EX will be the guinea pig that permits for a full-sized, 3-seater and a reduced-length 1-seater. The 102-horsepower TR-1 EX will certainly remain as it is also slated for double-duty in the forthcoming 1-liter ’20 SuperJet.
And while it is all but guaranteed that any new ‘Blaster will overshadow its ancestor in nearly all imaginable dimensions and price (so don’t expect it to be identical to 1993), it will also be the only true one-seater in the marketplace – something which even Sea-Doo’s Spark has yet to offer (despite vociferous demand). Believe it or not, Yamaha wants to know if there’s the public demand that so many say that there is, so if you want Yamaha to build one, comment on this article below! Let them know.
There was quite a bit to celebrate at the most recent Miami International Boat Show; and personal watercraft was front and center for much of it. Yamaha Watercraft received two 2017 Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Awards from the NMMA. Based upon the overall satisfaction of customers of boat and engine manufacturers, Yamaha not only met but exceeded expectations, by either meeting or surpassing 90-percent in customer satisfaction surveys throughout the year.
Here’s the original press release:
Miami, FL – February 16, 2018 – Yamaha Watercraft was the recipient of two 2017 Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Awards for excellence in customer satisfaction, presented at the annual Industry Breakfast at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show. The Marine Industry CSI Awards honor boat and engine manufacturers who actively measure customer satisfaction and pursue continuous improvement to better serve their customers.
Award recipients achieved an independently-measured standard of excellence of 90 percent or higher in customer satisfaction over the past program year, based on information provided by customers purchasing a new boat or engine during the period between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. Participating manufacturers must survey all new boat buyers during this period.
“Fostering a culture of excellence in customer satisfaction not only builds exceptional brand loyalty, but creates an outstanding boating experience, ensuring that today’s boater remains the boater of tomorrow, and promotes industry growth by developing boaters into lifestyle advocates,” notes Robert Newsome, vice president of engineering standards and membership for NMMA.
“This is a tremendous honor for Yamaha WaveRunners and Boats, but the recognition lies with our dealers, who work closely with our customers, day in and day out in their dealerships, to provide an amazing and memorable experience around our products,” said Yamaha Watercraft General Manager Bryan Seti. “We accept these awards on their behalf, and congratulate them on a phenomenal year.”
Stand-up racing requires a level of athleticism not typically found in the average PWC enthusiast. And to apply that skill to racing takes a whole new level of athlete. Then to place that race in the midst of rolling surf, and you’ve got yourself possibly the most challenging aquatic sport imaginable. Surf racing is nothing new, but it’s gone out of the public sphere over the past decade or so. Many cities make permits for such events absurdly costly, environmentalists howl at the visuals, and frankly, lesser athletes bemoan the arduous conditions; but the facts are still facts: surf racing is the most challenging environment in the PWC sport.
…And guess what? It’s coming back to Southern California! RPM Racing Enterprises’ own Ross Wallach has pulled off a miracle and announced recently that surf racing is coming to Orange County this coming April 14th and 15th in the first-annual Huntington Beach Moto Surf and TC Freeride Exhibition, or California State Surf Championship! Even with most of the details forthcoming, racers from across the nation are rearranging their travel schedule to include this one-time event that isn’t even part of Ross’ Region 1 “Best of The West” racing series!
This stand-alone event will entreat audiences to true surf racing and a freeride session featuring some of Southern California’s most talented riders. Vendors have already been vying for booth space and the expected turnout is believed to be significant. Add to that Huntington Beach is California’s very own “Surf City” and the previous home to the annual G-Shock Surfing Championships as well as countless other surfing contests, and racers are certain to have their hands full in the big rollers breaking in the shadow of the famous Huntington Beach Pier. More details are soon to be revealed at RPM Racing Enterprises’ website.
It’s pretty hard to argue with the math here. For the 8th time, BRP has taken home National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award at the Miami International Boat Show. For 2018, Sea-Doo received the honor for its all-new GTX Limited 230 and 300 – and it’s easy to see why.
The new ST3-based GTX Limited is everything a long-hauling, adventuresome PWC enthusiast could possibly want (and so, so much more). The Watercraft Journal was one of the world’s first publications to ride and review the new GTX Limited and we’re thoroughly impressed. We look forward to enjoying more seat-time with the NMMA Innovation Award-winner in the coming weeks and months.
Here’s the entire press release:
Miami, FL, February 20, 2018 – BRP (TSX:DOO) won its record-setting eighth National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show for its Sea-Doo GTX Limited. The award honors manufacturers who bring new and innovative products to the boating industry. The luxury flagship GTX Limited model redefines the premium personal watercraft with extended capabilities that enhance the rider experience.
“The Sea-Doo GTX Limited was the most innovative product we saw at Miami International Boat Show this year,” said judges committee Co-Chair Zuzana Prochazka. “The combination of easy access storage, rider ergonomics, and LinQ accessories make it the ultimate adventure watercraft.”
“Sea-Doo has a rich history of innovation in design, engineering and technology, which started 50 years ago when we introduced the world’s first personal watercraft,” said Marc R. Lacroix, Global Marketing Director for Sea-Doo and Ski-Doo at BRP. “We are honored to be recognized for our 8th NMMA Innovation Award. It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to producing industry-leading innovation that allow our customers to escape the everyday.”
The revolutionary new platform on the Sea-Doo GTX Limited delivers a premium on-board experience. Ground-breaking innovation is found throughout, including three industry firsts: a cargo compartment designed for easy access from a seated position, a waterproof Bluetooth audio system, and a reconfigurable rear seat. The GTX Limited also has industry-leading stability and control for the best experience both at speed and at rest.
For more information on the award-winning Sea-Doo GTX Limited and all of the models in the 2018 lineup, visit www.sea-doo.com and follow Sea-Doo on social media via facebook.com/seadoo and @BRPSeaDoo on Twitter and Instagram.
Abaco Sunglasses has teamed up with popular Youtube channel couple who publish videos detailing their sailing journeys around the Atlantic and Caribbean regions. In this video, the couple was actually doing a sunglasses giveaway with Abaco.
According to the description of the video, the giveaway drawing appears to have already taken place however you can still take advantage of a discount code giving you 20% off your next Abaco order. Simply go to the Abaco website and use the code “MJSailing” on your order.
This video not only has some enticing offers attached to it, but it is also interesting to see the couple’s journey and all of the beautiful views during their passage through the Caribbean.
According to the positive feedback comments regarding this drawing, we can assume that there will likely be future promotions offered through their channel so feel free to stay tuned for other offers.
The Watercraft Journal: Trisha, for those reading that don’t know can you please tell us what 10 Racing is and it was started.
Trisha Craft-Juarez: 10 Racing is a watercraft race team derived of some of the world’s most talented jet ski pilots. We wanted to surround ourselves with racers that are fully dedicated to the sport. So we created 10 Racing after I launched 10 FlexTape in in early 2017.
The team prides themselves on the daily dedication required to be a successful jet ski racer, from the day to day workouts to the countless laps on the water. It’s common to see our team at body beach practicing and helping each other achieve our goals. Our athletes are progressively setting themselves apart from the competition and bring a level of professionalism to the regional races.
WCJ: We would love to know more about these athletes that make up 10 Racing.
TCJ: Where do I start, our line-up of riders for 2018 are highly accomplished. Each and every one of them brings great value to the team; Stian Schjetlein (Bergen, Norway), Kole Cramer (Lake Havasu City, Arizona), Ulrik Bernsten (Hordaland, Norway), Preston Matzdorff (Lake Havasu City, Arizona), Tim Warner (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Jack Briscoe (Salt Lake City, Utah), Eric Senko (Las Vegas, Nevada), JB Gasperone (Flagstaff, Arizona), and Ryan Smith (Phillipsburg, Kansas).
WCJ: You mentioned 10 FlexTape, can you elaborate on what the tape is used for and is there any other products that you offer?
TCJ: 10 Flextape is a waterproof kinesiology tape that has many uses such as:
Allowing athletes to remain active while injured – This is one of the most important benefits of kinesiology taping for competitive athletes. Allowing them to continue training and/or competing as their injuries heal.
Prevention of cramping – Enhanced circulation to working muscles helps deliver oxygen and nutrients at the cellular level as well as accelerates the removal of lactic acid.
Speedier recovery – fatigued, overused muscles contain by-products of exercise (such as lactic acid) that contribute to pain and stiffness and limit the ability to continue exercising. When the tape is used over these areas, enhanced removal of these by-products allows for more rapid recovery.
Pain relief – The lifting action of the tape relieves pressure on the pain receptors directly under the skin.
Structural support – The unique elastic properties of kinesiology tape allow it to provide support to an injured muscle or joint. Which discourages harmful movements, while still allowing a safe healthy range of motion.
Reduced swelling – Reduced pressure on the lymphatic drainage channels enhances the removal of lfuids and other materials that collect in an injured area.
10 flextape is used in many different areas such as the elbow, knee, hand, hip, quad, lumbar, cervical, calf, shoulder and hamstring. We also offer arm compression sleeves which:
Aiding in muscle recovery – Compression arm sleeves are worn to aid in muscle recovery from previous activities. Wearing compression sleeves cuts down on recovery time allowing your blood flow to circulate quicker to the heart.
Preventing arm pump and cramping – 10 Compression sleeves are used to promote increase circulation by supporting the muscles in the elbow joint. This will prevent blood pooling in the forearms known as “arm pump”. Great for all activates including jetskiing, running, cycling, motocross and many more sports.
Protect your skin – Compression sleeves can also be used to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, minor bumps and scratches.
10 FlexTape provides our athletes with these products along with offering them to the world of jet ski racers. Most of the riders in our sport use the tape on their backs and shoulders.
WCJ: What do you do to prepare for an event or competition? What type of training do you do before the big day? Do you have any rituals you do the day of?
TCJ: I focus a lot on cardio 5-or-6 days a week, with two of those days being max VO2 training. I also train legs and shoulders a couple times a week. But I would take a day of riding over a day of training any day, You just can’t beat the way riding works your body, seeing how nothing translates 100-percent.
As far as the team goes, we train together off and on the track. We have team days where all the riders get together and practice as well. We help each other out by trading parts, lending skis, and luckily the riders always have a place for me to stay in Havasu. We have a great group of people that work together
WCJ: What does the team have planned for the 2018 season?
TCJ: We are very fortunate that we race in region one where they have several races going on this year. We will be attending the JetJam series, Jettribe Best of the West series and of course, the IJSBA World Finals. Our international riders will be competing in the UIM Aquabike series.
WCJ: We have heard lots about the team, but how about you and what got you into jetski racing?
TCJ: So a little bit about myself, I started racing runabouts in 2006 after a friend of mine convinced me to buy some jetskis. He used to race and introduced me to the sport. I fell in love with it. I like the challenge and the family atmosphere in jet ski racing. I met my husband Mateo Juarez through jet ski racing as well. He converted me to stand-ups and I haven’t looked back.
WCJ: Is there anyone out there you would like to take this time to thank?
TCJ: First and for most I would like to thank all of our riders for being a part of the team. Lance and Kole Cramer for helping me keep skis running, Print Shop Inc for hooking up the team trailer, JetPilot, Go Fast, ProWatercraft, Bullett, IPD, Monster Energy, Terrible Herbst, and JB Gasperone for everything he does for us.
If you’ve been looking at purchasing a brand new Sea-Doo, now is the perfect time to bring one home! Sea-Doo is getting ready for the 2018 PWC season by currently doing their “Pre-Season Event.” When you order your all-new 2018 Sea-Doo ski, you will get a rebate of up to $1,000 on select 2017 and prior models. Cash back in your pocket is always a good thing! The rebate amount depends on the model purchased of course.
On top of the rebate, you will also receive 3-year coverage on select 2018 and prior models. Eligible units for these promotions are select new and unused 2018 and prior Sea-Doo watercraft models. The buyer of an eligible model will receive a 12-month BRP Limited Warranty plus a 24-month B.E.S.T. Coverage.
Florida residents receive 36 months BRP Limited Warranty. To make the deal event sweeter, Sea-Doo is also offering a $40 instant rebate to customers who qualify for the Pre-Season Event and purchase two or more 2018 Sea-Doo Life Jackets. The cumulative invoiced value of the two life jackets must be equal or greater than $160.
Offers are valid in the USA only from February 1st, 2018 to March 31st, 2018. The terms and conditions may vary depending on your state and these offers are subject to termination or change at any time without notice. Offer may not be assigned, traded, sold or combined with any other offer unless expressly stated herein. Other conditions may apply.
