Real Review: Abaco Dockside Sunglasses

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January 3, 2017

We’ve literally asked avid riders, “What’s the one item (of riding gear) that you’re always replacing?” It’s not gloves, it’s not boots/water shoes and it’s definitely not vests – seriously, have you seen some of these guys wearing faded pink and purple nylon vests from 1991? Yeah, so anyways, the answer is almost always sunglasses. Glasses get scratched in glove boxes, get bent or broken or simply blow off of your face when clipping along at a pretty quick rate. It’s happened to the best of us. So much so that we’ve come to abide by ZZ Top’s council to always don a pair of “cheap sunglasses” because there’s nothing worse than watching $150-worth of Oakleys vanish into the water.

Over the years we’ve even tried a handful of different floating sunglasses and can’t get past the big puffy patches of buoyant foam pressing against our temples. Floating sunglasses are a great idea, and once a pair come along that don’t look goofy or wrap your face in Hydro-Turf, we’re going to have to pass. For the longest time, we’ve resorted to an ancient pair of Arnette Catfishes. Y’know, those old wrap-arounds from 20 years ago? Well, the design made sense: they wrapped tightly around our face, fit comfortably, and had a wide range of vision. But because they’re trashed, we’ve been going the cheapo route.

Fatefully, during our last photo session, we lost a pair of $18 gas station shades. After posting our loss on Facebook, a message came through asking us to try out a pair of Abaco Polarized Sunglasses. Admittedly, we hadn’t heard of the brand before, but were happy to give them a try. Their website is rife with hundreds of designs and color combinations, and Abacos are found in several major sunglass outlets. With dozens of designs for men, women and even kids, Abaco had a selection that actually made it hard to whittle down. Unfortunately, we found nothing to replace our trusty Catfishes’ look and feel, so we tried our best to find a pair that didn’t make us feel like Tom Cruise on “Risky Business.”

The pair of “Dockside” shades we did select have a nice, thick impact-resistant polycarbonate frame with decent flex to protect against shattering, and what Abaco calls “premium” metal hinges which doesn’t mean stainless steel. Offsetting the matte-black frame are a pair of brilliant Blue Mirror polarized lenses. Providing UV400 protection, we quickly realized that they greatly reduced strain by blocking glare that our cheapos simply could do. The blue tint doesn’t throw off your color spectrum either, and helped to pick up some contrast, allow us to read the water better. And as per Abaco’s website, each pair is covered under a Worry-Free Warranty, plus comes with an Abaco Cleaning Cloth Microfiber Pouch.

Unfortunately, there’s really nothing particularly PWC-specific about these sunglasses, and during our second jaunt out on the lake, quickly blew from our face while checking for cross traffic. The large, square lenses look cool, but can whip off of your face with just a slight sideways glance. Lesson learned. Our next time out had a lanyard tethered to the frames. And priced at $40, it’s not so painful if you lose a pair to the drink like we did. Since then, we’ve come to enjoy our Abacos more and more, and the polarized blue mirror lenses are simply superior to any off-the-rack junkers we’ve been wearing. Polarization is still a premier treatment for lenses and radically helps to reduce glare and damage to your retinas. Consider it sunscreen for your eyes, and it’s always wise to wear protection.

RIVA Racing’s 2016-Up Sea-Doo Speed Control Override Module (SCOM)

By

Kevin Shaw

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January 2, 2017

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If you’re in different performance circles, it’s very likely you’ve heard the word “SCOM” bandied about. The word itself is not a word, but an acronym meaning “Speed Control Override Module” and is used to supersede the restrictive GPS speed control function on all iControl-equipped Sea-Doo models. In stock form, the factory BRP engine control module restricts the vehicle’s sustained top speed. While peak speeds have been recorded as high as 71-plus mph, the factory GPS speed control will immediately throttle down the engine until it reaches an “acceptable” speed.

The RIVA Racing SCOM supplants that programming, delivering significant increases in top speed with stock ECU. That’s right. There’s no retuning or modifying the factory ECU. Designed to be as easy to install as possible, the module allows system to start in “Sport Mode” for maximum performance as well (bonus!) with “Touring Mode” available by manually selected after start up. Compatible with all 2016 300hp and 260hp models, the RIVA Racing SCOM delivers “up to 75mph top speed on 2016 RXP-X & RXT-X 300 models” according to RIVA Racing, and retains all original dash functions. RIVA also cautions that the “stock ECU limits peak RPM for first 5 hours of operation. Top speed increases should be measured after 5 hour break in period,” so make sure your ski is properly broken in.

As a final testament to the RIVA SCOM’s claims, a recent review by Ray W. revealed how successful the SCOM truly is, writing: “[I] installed the SCOM on my stock GTX 300 Limited and it ran 74 mph. This was with a full tank of fuel, 215 lb. rider wearing a survival suit, and a full storage container dry box. On my model it wasn’t a simply “plug in” installation, some additional wiring/fuse box modifications were required. This depends on if your ski has a 5 or 6 wire diagnostic plug, and if a bilge pump or depth finder have been installed. All extra needed parts are supplied. I contacted tech support and they told me exactly what I needed to do. Great modification for 6-8 more mph.”

The Watercraft Journal By The Numbers: December 2016

By

Kevin Shaw

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January 2, 2017

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“Just do it,” has been Nike’s company slogan since 1988. The one-time advertising campaign was a call to action, asking – no, demanding – its recipient to shirk all fears and hesitations, and simply do it. The phrase now lives larger than the massive multi-billion-dollar company it represents, inspiring athletes, entrepreneurs and everyone from all ilks to pursue that one goal that has alluded them for far too long. If 2017 is to be anything, it is the year that you, no we take action. Last year took more than it gave, and now it’s our turn to take from life what it is that has remained out of our grasp for too long.

This all sounds nice and inspirational, but how does it really apply to a jet ski magazine, you might be thinking. Please allow this illustration: Ours is an intimate industry. When people say they support a company, they often think of the owner themselves, likely having met the man in person. Personal watercraft owners typically retain close relationships with either the dealer they purchased their current unit from, or a local shop who performs their service. You know who owns what in your local area, and where they like to ride. It’s a worldwide sport that feels like living in a small town.

After minding your budget, making smart (and often sacrificial) moves for the past three or four years, you’re now confident that with recent economic changes happening currently and in the near future that the market will respond to your brand in a larger scale. And rightly so! Consumer confidence hasn’t been this high in 9 years. The DOW has reached 10 record-breaking days in two months. So now is the right time to act, right? YES! Now is the right time to act, and do so boldly. Today is the day to start your advertising campaign, to roll out those new products, and get the word out in a big way. Today is finally the day to start advertising on The Watercraft Journal.

As you’ll see outlined below, The Watercraft Journal not only has continued to grow in readership by an astounding 35-percent since 2015, welcoming over 340,000 readers, there is no website, blog or YouTube channel to come close to our reach. Some companies choose to develop and publish their own images, updates and videos, sharing them through their own social media outlets, only to find that they’re preaching to their own choir. Do not keep your brand from accessing the single-largest audience of personal watercraft enthusiasts. Allow us to introduce them to your products and services by advertising today.

January – December 2016

January – December 2015

Unparalleled Growth Throughout The Year
While so many will denounce the industry as being a “seasonal sport,” we find that our fluctuations are rather marginal, and not solely because our Australian and New Zealand readership buoys during their summer months. Not so. Rather, it is because while their might be snow on the ground, PWC enthusiasts are still hungry for news, content and insight, even if they aren’t out on the water as often as they would like. As would-be competitors throttle back their degree of content production, The Watercraft Journal never slows. And our reward is continued growth, continual readership and constant approval.

January – December 2015
Total number unique readers: 232,459*
Total number of articles read: 614,870
Percentage of new readers: 63.3%

January – December 2016
Total number unique readers: 343,557*
Total number of articles read: 806,187
Percentage of new readers: 62.7%

*This number is considered equal to an individual sale of a single copy of a magazine.

Unmatched Quantity, Unrivaled Quality & Unequal Exposure
Like any good professional racer knows, exposure is the name of the game. If they fail to place their sponsors in a positive light, employ every opportunity put their sponsors’ logos in the forefront, then they won’t be sponsored very long. The Watercraft Journal works very much the same way; being 100-percent advertiser supported, we develop specific editorial calendars for each and every client, producing a set number of professionally-written articles published over and throughout the calendar year – all of which, whose topics and context have been reviewed and approved by you, the advertiser.

News articles published in December 2016: 27
Feature articles published in December 2016: 10
Total feature word count: 10,283 words

*When this number is translated to print publication standards equals a 102-page magazine. Please note that this number does not include an average of two uniquely-written news articles published daily.

Unsolicited Social Behaviors
Literally one year ago we made it a decision to cancel all Facebook advertising (save for the rare “boosted” post – of which, we’ve had 6 boosted posts all year). No “Likes” campaigns. Nada. Nevertheless, we’ve out grown all other domestic websites, blogs and magazines on Facebook and elsewhere in social media. And when you think about it, it only makes sense. We offer our content freely and easily – whether it’s via a desktop, a laptop or a portable device, anyone can read our content. And with our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and weekly newsletters, we bring our content directly to them. And that’s a huge part of our success!

December Facebook likes: 19,861
Top Five countries: United States, Australia, Japan, France, Canada

Listen to The Beouf And Do It
[C’mon, man. How could we not share this video? -Ed.] With 2016 behind us and a whole new year ahead, all of us at The Watercraft Journal are incredibly enthusiastic for what the future lies in store. Unlike any other media outlet, The Watercraft Journal enjoys partnerships with of some of the best companies in our industry as supporting advertisers, you can expect to see much more in-depth coverage of these shops, manufacturers and services in the coming months. Again, now is the time to get your company and products on The Watercraft Journal. To inquire more about advertising with The Watercraft Journal, please email [email protected]

Gallery: Body Surfing a Sumo Tube Because It’s Friday

By

Kevin Shaw

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December 30, 2016

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I grew up body surfing local beaches near my childhood home in Seal Beach, California. I wasn’t very good, but I was decent in my late teens and came to really enjoy the exercise. Seal didn’t have the hollowed-out barrels of Huntington just down PCH, but it also didn’t have the congestion of territorial surfers proudly riding “Doc” Lausch or Harbour surfboards. I even owned a Jack’s longboard for a while, but never really mastered it. I simply preferred to swim out and ride the small stuff. It was a little more personal, just a more intimate relationship with the ocean. Living now in Tennessee, I sometimes miss it.

But in my 20’s, I met a man who was paralyzed from the neck down. Jack Rushton was confined to a mechanized wheelchair that regulated and monitored his breathing, whirring and wheezing like a wheeled Darth Vader. An accomplished waterman, one fateful day while body surfing, the wave flipped him vertical and he landed directly on his upper neck. Friends pulled his limp body from the water and performed CPR. He was quickly life flighted to Hoag Hospital (the same hospital where my first daughter was born, overlooking Newport Harbor), and put on life support. There his wife and children received the news that he would never surf, swim, walk or breathe on his own again.

Amazingly, he chose to convert his life into one of inspiration, and dedicated himself to professing hope in light of affliction. Unfortunately, my only takeaway was to give up body surfing (at least at Newport’s infamous “Wedge”). So when I spotted this video by Fred David, I immediately thought of Jack, wondering if only he was wearing one of these ridiculous Sumo Tubes would things have gone differently. Sure, this story is far more morose than the raucous fun these guys are having around Hossegor in south West of France, but that’s what came to mind. It’s the very last Friday of 2016 and I’m just phoning this one in today, anyways. Enjoy and have a safe and Happy New Year.

Get Your Dean’s Team Racing Shirt Today

By

Kevin Shaw

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December 29, 2016

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Just because Christmas has come and gone doesn’t mean your holiday shopping has to end. New for 2016 and 2017 and now available and in stock are official Dean’s Team Racing T-shirts!

As seen on the backs of your favorite world-class racers and around the pits across the world, these Dean’s Team Racing shirts are part of the official authorized Dean’s Team apparel line and are now available to purchase!

Sizes from small to XXL are ready to ship; each shirt comes in white with the Dean’s Team Factory Racing logo on the front in blue, and the official sponsors in red on the back.

While you might not be able to ride as well as Chris MacClugage, you can try to look like him by picking up your official Dean’s Team Racing shirt – now available with a special promo price price of $10 (plus shipping) HERE!

Vicious Rumors & Vile Gossip: Will BRP Actually Buy Belassi?

By

Kevin Shaw

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December 29, 2016

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The short answer is no.

The initial post that sparked a massive flood of social media shares, likes, texts and posts was from the Spanish personal watercraft enthusiast Facebook page Motos de aqua, and the post itself was meant as a harmless yet well-executed prank in celebration of the holiday “Feast of the Holy Innocents” or “Innocents Day.” Much like our own April Fool’s Day, Innocents Day is recognized traditionally on December 28 and celebrated conventionally by practical jokes, pranks and the like.

The original post read:
BREAKING: BRP Sea-Doo confirms the purchase of HSR-Benelli, and its purpose is to launch in 2017 a spectacular 4-stroke jet prepared for competition. The Canadian firm already tried after the launch of the first Hydrospace, but then Benelli went ahead of the agreement. Sea-Doo’s strategy was to wait for the Austrian-Italian crash to be able to pick it up again later, and finally it was time to see powerful BRP Sea-Doo jets!

Prior to jumping on the band wagon, The Watercraft Journal did some much needed research prior to sharing the news. First, the post’s claim that “The Canadian firm already tried [to purchase the company] after the launch of the first Hydrospace” bared no factual backing. Contacts within BRP/Sea-Doo confirmed that the manufacturer had little to no interest in original 4-stroke standup, all but completely debunking the original post’s validity. Undaunted, we pushed further looking into the acquisition’s claim.

Second, which should’ve been the biggest giveaway, is that the company is no longer “HSR-Benelli” but has changed names twice since then, from “HSR-Belassi” to simply “Belassi” making the original post both incorrect and outdated. Nevertheless, we wanted to pursue this to its bitter end, so we reached out to LOOK Marketing’s Tim McKercher who completely dispelled the claim as a joke, and declined to comment further calling the hoax “not worth flaming.”

So, why did this claim gain so much traction if it’s so clearly wrong? Because of Kawasaki’s SX-R, that’s why. Although still very much behind in market presence than either Sea-Doo or Yamaha, Kawasaki’s decision to ignore the surging trend towards smaller, entry-level runabouts and double-down on a 4-stroke standup cobbled together from an array of existing PWC, ATV and side-by-side parts is a bold move, if not a completely curious “Hail Mary” pass. Yet unarguably, the incoming SX-R has spurred some serious interest in the PWC community and has the other OEs taking notice.

Internal chatter already has Yamaha poised to strike a retaliative blow, but rumor has it that the manufacturer will give the new SX-R until 2019 before releasing its TR-1 powered, 4-stroke SuperJet, which has been verified to exist for well over a year now. The planned delay is two fold: first, to gauge the SX-R’s first year’s sales and its second year “staying power”; and secondly, to ride in on a wave of nostalgia as the SuperJet will celebrate 30 years since its first introduction in 1989. It’s not the answer most enthusiasts want to hear, but it is the most likely to happen.

So what about Sea-Doo? Is a standup in the market leader’s future? We asked PWC Muscle’s Joe Zammataro, who said, “Since standups are making such a comeback […] it isn’t without precedent that Sea-Doo would test a standup. Sea-Doo played with [the] 3D somewhere around 1998-2004, [and] that was an XP hull but able to ride like a standup.”

For many who lived through the campaign and subsequent release of the 3D, it’s often ballyhooed as a dud. It’s wide platform didn’t lend itself to the aggressive “on the rail” handling standup riders expected, and its other formats (“Kart” and “Moto”) didn’t translate well to traditional runabout riders. Yet, the 3D wasn’t a terrible machine – not in the least. It simply failed to find its audience. The Rotax 782cc twin-cylinder, rotary valve engine produced a healthy 110-horsepower, the ride was stable and controllable and featured quite a bit of technology in a small package.

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So could BRP snatch up Belassi? Would they even want to? To the point, Zammataro continued, “I couldn’t imagine [the acquisition] being a good investment for BRP; they don’t have anything to offer. If [Belassi] had distribution chains and fully running manufacturing facilities [then] maybe, but as of right now, [the Belassi is] just a cool looking hull and over-tuned engine that have no real world experience. Realistically, I think [if Sea-Doo was to develop a standup] they’d design it in-house.”

So no, there’s no truth to Sea-Doo/BRP snatching up the remnants of Hydrospace/HSR-Benelli/HSR-Bellassi/Belassi. We hope this helps. Ciao.

Gallery: Free Form Factory Rises As West Coast Truckboss Dealer & Installer

By

Kevin Shaw

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December 28, 2016

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In the intimate world of freeride and freestyle jet skiing, the advancement of technology has never had a more palatable impact. Lighter metals and hull materials abound, all with greater strength than anything ever offered by the original manufacturers. Aftermarket ski shapers and builders are marching forward well beyond that of what the OEs could have envisioned only a few short years ago. One such company – Free Form Factory Inc. – has been at the bleeding edge of this movement and recently opened its doors to The Watercraft Journal to reveal a partnership for 2017.

“We’re an advanced manufacturing company,” Free Form Factory’s founder and CEO Jordan Darling explained. “We not only create the technology, but prove it out on the water.” For those unfamiliar, Free Form Factory (FFF) designs and develops unique plastic standup hulls using a patented thermoforming process and proprietary materials. The hull pieces are then mated to an aircraft chromoly, TIG-welded chassis that acts as the ski’s substructure. The result is a never-before-seen modular freeride ski whose external and internal components can be interchanged exceptionally faster than any previous design. The plastics used for the hull and deck, known as HULKLITE is remarkably durable.

The manufacturer has been in business since 2014 , when Darling – then a 24-year-old graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology studying mechanical engineering and material sciences, first developed the idea of the modular design and unique hull material. An active action sports enthusiast (motocross, ski, snow, etc.), Darling first went to work on a prototype in 2013, as he witnessed the athleticism of freeriders surpassing the technology available to them. Although pleased with the prototype, Darling knew he needed somebody who could really push the FFF design to its limits.

It was at the 2015 Wave Daze event in Virginia Beach, where Darling befriended the Lawlor brothers, Brandon and Randy. The two were already established freeriders, having earned championships both domestically and internationally. The two immediately recognized the potential in Darling’s design and came to join on as FFF’s first Factory Team riders.

Since then, FFF has added Bryan Bourassa, as well as Danielle Lawlor and Skyler Darling. “It’s disruptive,” Darling declared. “We’re building something very unique with some very unique technologies. Our team of riders have been crucial to our research and development process. We use them to test the durability of our skis to see what breaks first and then improve on it.”

Now residing out of Sacramento, California – having moved to the Sunshine State in June of 2016 – Free Form Factory is also busy outside of the world of freeride jet ski development, fulfilling several commercial military contracts in the in-between weeks and months. “Our goal is to develop and prove technology that has never been used elsewhere before,” Darling commands. “We’ve got some new amazing, disruptive [there’s that word again – Ed.] products coming out in early 2017.” Yet, one major reveal Darling could go into detail about was Free Form Factory’s recent partnership with industry-leading truck bed deck system manufacturer Truckboss.

“I first talked to Kent at Truckboss at the 2015 Blowsion Surf Slam and then again at the IJSBA World Finals,” Darling recalls.” It wasn’t until I had recently gotten a ticket in California for driving over 55 mph with a trailer (a law which I don’t think exists anywhere else in the country), so I had screwed together a truck deck, for over my bed out of wood, in preparation for the 2016 Blowsion Surf Slam. The two then reunited at this year’s Blowsion Surf Slam. Kent was staying in the same hotel as us, and gave me a bunch of crap about my wooden truck deck. “There, Kent asked if I’d like to become Truckboss’ first dealer in California.” In addition to selling the truck deck systems, Free Form Factory is also building out Truckboss installers and dealers in Northern California for 2017, having become proficient in the various arrangements of the brand’s modular design.

Together, the two companies are aiming to change how freeriding is done by providing enthusiasts and professionals the up-most in technology buillt from quality materials, and providing most intuitive, inventive designs. When it comes to modern warfare, the name of the game is superior technology. He who can come to the field of battle with the superior equipment, more advanced weaponry and wield the most efficiency of time and energy will always reign supreme – and in the pairing of Free Form Factory and Truckboss, no two have ever been more poised for domination.

Cover image courtesy of Denise Knudson Photography

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Greenhulk Now Offering CandooPro GPS Speedometer Modules

By

Kevin Shaw

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December 28, 2016

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We all know how horribly inaccurate the stock speedometer is on these skis. CandooPRO has the perfect solution: a simple plug-and-play GPS module that simply plugs in place of the inaccurate paddle wheel sensor. With this module accurate GPS speed will be displayed on the dash. CandooPro makes modules for Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Kawasaki jet skis. Now you can radically improve your current watercraft with one of these GPS-correct speedometers through the Greenhulk Performance Store HERE:

Here’s the original release:
The GPS Module is “plug and play”, requires no cutting or splicing of any harness wires for the standard unit. Transforms your skis inaccurate speedometer into a very accurate GPS Speedometer. The CandooPro GPS Speedometer uses the latest SirfSTAR IV chipset, which has the best doppler speed algorithm in the market of any GPS chipset.

• The unit is totally potted and sealed for the marine environment.
• Uses a patent-applied for method of calibration to your individual ski via magnetic sensors, no external wires or switches to fail.
• Uses a unique method to indicate satellite lock, as well as using the same indication to validate calibration.
• Uses no power from the battery when not in use, so battery drain while off is not a concern.
• Contains a supercapacitor to store the GPS receiver coordinates for several hours after you shut down the ski, so you can expect almost instantaneous acquisition of the satellites when you get back running.
• Designed for harsh electrical vehicle noise, with overvoltage protection, and reverse voltage protection. You can even hook up the power connections to the battery backwards without damaging the unit.

Please note: All Candoo products are drop shipped directly from the manufacturer.

It’s Time To Winterize Your PWC & Boat; Let Jet X Powersports Do It For You

By

Kevin Shaw

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December 27, 2016

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Say, do you like to wait until the last minute to get things done? Do you find when you do that the task you’ve been putting off is a little bigger than you think? Congratulations, you’re not alone! Literally tens of thousands of personal watercraft and jet boat owners are faced with the annual chore of winterizing their PWC and boats before the freezing temperatures expand the fluids within their tanks, lines and engine blocks, stress, crack and explode those very sensitive and expensive parts. Thankfully, Ryan Dalli and the Jet X Powersports crew are ready to rock when you finally give in and reach out for help.

Recently, Jet X shared a pair of local jet boat owners who came to them looking for some last minute help. The first being a Sea-Doo jet boat needing the usual pre-freeze service, writing: “Took a ride to Willow Beach! Helped out a customer that really needed his Jetboat winterized!” Located in Woodbridge, Ontario, Jet X services the greater Toronto area, and offers additional services like vacuum-sealed shrink wrapping for long-term storage, like with the second jet boat, a Yamaha 242 Limited, tweeting: “While the snow flies we are still winterizing and shrink wrapping! Beautiful Yamaha 242 Limited!”

Of course, there still is time even in the Great White North to call upon Jet X Powersports. Sure, they might be wrenching on more sleds these days, but they’re more than happy to come out and get your favorite water toy ready to weather the winter’s chill. Check ’em out HERE.

AquaX USA Celebrates 2016 With Season Recap

By

Blake Ellestad

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December 27, 2016

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As the year comes to an end we reflect on this past years racing season. This year was especially busy as the USA-held its first P1 AquaX Pro Series. Riders from across the globe flocked to USA to ride and try to win a title. There were a total of five racing rounds that left many people in shock, happiness, and sadness. This will be a brief recap as you can read the full recap on the link provided.

The tour started in the beginning of April in Lake Dora in Tavares, Florida. This race was exceptionally exciting as Yamaha FX SVHO rider Chris Saxon was able to clinch first and second in the two races to ultimately win. With the tour already off to a great start we moved to beautiful Daytona Beach. A total of 24 pro racers were suited up with the rest of the amateurs and put on a dominating performance.The top three winners were no surprise as the crowd heard: “Chris MacClugage, Craig Warner and Aero Aswar.” MacClugage was crowned the victory but the riders behind him were close. There was a scare when Cyrille Lemoine was involved in a serious crash that would leave him out for the rest of the season with a leg injury. Chris Saxon continued to dominate in the 300 class as he won three for three.

The next stop was Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida. The race here was for amateurs and there was a change in the top spot as Sea-Doo rider Richard Lopez was the overall weekend winner. However this would be his last race of the year which would make a difference in the title races. When the pros returned in Sarasota they were made known as MacClugage endured two DNF’s before his final race of the weekend. Even though MacClugage was able to win his final race of the weekend, Aswar was able to be the winner for the weekend overall. Eric Francis and Brian Baldwin put on impressive performances as they were second and third were able to move up in the standings while on the way to Chicago for the third round of racing.

WIth the Great Lakes hosting their first ever event the amateurs put on quite a show while the pros watched. The course was tight but that did not stop any rider from trying their best to do what they do best. Rider Jay Edworthy decided to make the trip from Canada to the Great Lakes and his trip was made all the worthwhile as he wa able to grab the top spot. In the pro races there were mechanical issues, ejections and buoy penalties but that is what makes this sport of racing so much more exciting!

After a quick break for the riders, the Pro Series was back on and in full swing. The final races was a doubleheader that started in Lake Worth and the series finale in Fort Lauderdale. MacClugage went into the race knowing that if he made one small mistake he would not will the title. Well whatever he did to prep for the race paid off as he race three races with no error. Aswar who had a terrific season was involved in a crash in which he fell off of his watercraft and came in contact with Francis. Francis was able to reboard his watercraft and finish second but with some mechanical issues it pulled him down to 12th place in the final event. Joe Harvey who is a UK rider was the runner-up in the UK Series as Saxon was able to clinch the win. With all of the male rider news crowding the air, we can not forget the only female rider in the Pro Series Anya Colley who was able to finish fourth place.

This year was the first year that USA would be hosting and man did they put on a great display to showcase the amazing riders! Huge thanks to all of the countless sponsors who were able to make this event possible.