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Sea-Doo Clearance Sale Offers Up To 70% Off Genuine Accessories

Jessica Waters
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Sea-Doo Clearance Sale Offers Up To 70% Off Genuine Accessories

If you’ve been waiting to add genuine OEM accessories to your Sea-Doo without paying full retail, now may be the time to shop.

Sea-Doo has launched a clearance promotion offering up to 70 percent off select non-current accessories, along with discounts on clearance apparel, while supplies last. The sale is available through participating authorized BRP dealers in the United States and Canada, as well as online, with selection varying by dealer and remaining inventory.

While many of the discounted products are tied to previous model years, the sale includes a wide variety of genuine accessories that can still add convenience, improve handling or expand your watercraft’s capabilities. We took a look through the current clearance offerings and picked a few deals that stood out.

LinQ Base Installation Kit

Normally $86.99, now $52.19.

One of Sea-Doo’s most popular accessory systems starts here.

The LinQ Base Installation Kit allows riders to mount compatible LinQ accessories to the rear of their watercraft, opening the door to coolers, fuel caddies, storage bags and other cargo solutions. The kit includes two LinQ bases along with all necessary installation hardware, making it a straightforward upgrade for owners looking to carry more gear on longer rides.

If you’re already invested in the LinQ system—or have been thinking about it—this is one of the better values in the clearance sale. Sea-Doo is also discounting select LinQ accessories, including the 13.5-gallon (51L) Cooler Extension, which expands storage capacity by an additional 20 liters while keeping contents insulated.

Pro-Series Sponson Kit

Normally $379.99, now $265.99.

For riders who prefer carving turns over cruising shorelines, the Pro-Series Sponson Kit may be the most exciting deal in the sale.

Originally developed with racing in mind, these adjustable sponsons are designed to improve cornering stability and overall handling. The billet-backed mounting system uses the factory mounting locations for a relatively straightforward installation, while adjustable blade depth allows riders to fine-tune how aggressively the sponsons influence the hull.

Whether you’re an aggressive recreational rider or simply want your Sea-Doo to feel more planted in rough water, upgraded sponsons remain one of the most noticeable handling modifications available.

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 62cv GPS

Normally $1,239.99, now $867.99.

Owners of Fish Pro models—or anyone who spends long days exploring unfamiliar waterways—may want to take a closer look at one of the biggest dollar savings currently available.

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 62cv features a bright 6-inch sunlight-readable display, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, CHIRP sonar and an in-hull GT15M-IH transducer capable of delivering accurate depth readings even at speed. The unit also includes a regional navigation map token and supports Garmin’s BlueChart G3 coastal mapping.

Already standard equipment on several Fish Pro models, the system represents a substantial upgrade for riders looking to add factory-integrated navigation and sonar without paying full retail.

Whether you’re outfitting a fishing machine, improving your watercraft’s storage capabilities or simply looking for a genuine OEM upgrade at a reduced price, Sea-Doo’s current clearance promotion offers a number of opportunities to save.

As with most clearance sales, inventory is limited to in-stock items, availability varies by dealer, and once an item sells out it may not be restocked. Riders interested in taking advantage of the discounts may want to shop sooner rather than later.

Video: Watcon’s Impeller Pitch And Gauge Measurement Guide

Jessica Waters
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Video: Watcon’s Impeller Pitch And Gauge Measurement Guide

For a lot of riders, impeller tuning starts with good advice from a friend—or a recommendation from a forum. Take a little pitch out. Add a degree to the trailing edge. Drop your RPM a couple hundred.

The problem is, if you don’t know what you’re starting with, making the right adjustment becomes little more than educated guesswork.

That’s exactly where Watcon’s John Zigler steps in.

In this classic episode of Watercraft Talk, Zigler walks through one of the simplest—but often overlooked—tools in a tuner’s toolbox: the impeller pitch gauge. Rather than relying solely on the numbers stamped into an impeller, he demonstrates how to accurately measure both the leading and trailing edges so you know exactly what you’re working with before making changes.

Using an Impros Hooker 9/15 impeller as an example, Zigler explains why the first inch of both the leading and trailing edges is what really matters. Because most performance impellers use progressive pitch, the blade angle changes as it moves across the impeller. Measuring those initial sections provides a consistent reference point for tuning.

He also points out an important detail many riders overlook: not every manufacturer’s pitch numbers are measured the same way. Watcon’s gauges tend to align closely with Impros and Skat-Trak impellers, while Solas and many OEM impellers may produce different readings. That’s not necessarily a problem—the important part is establishing a repeatable baseline so you can accurately track the effects of future changes.

Once you understand what you’re measuring, tuning decisions become much easier.

Reducing pitch generally allows the engine to gain RPM more easily, while adding pitch typically lowers engine speed. Adjustments to the leading edge primarily affect acceleration, hookup and low-end performance, while changes to the trailing edge have a greater influence on top-end speed, pump pressure and high-speed thrust. Of course, every hull, engine and pump combination responds a little differently, making careful measurements and incremental adjustments the key to finding the sweet spot.

As always, Zigler keeps the explanation straightforward and easy to follow, making what can seem like a complicated subject approachable for anyone interested in getting more from their personal watercraft.

Watch the video below to see John Zigler demonstrate how to measure impeller pitch—and why knowing your baseline is the first step toward smarter tuning

WCJ Weekly Racing Roundup Covers Tight Championship Races and Big Summer Developments

Jessica Waters
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WCJ Weekly Racing Roundup Covers Tight Championship Races and Big Summer Developments

Here’s this week’s WCJ Weekly Racing Roundup, where we check in with the organizations, racers, and championship battles shaping the 2026 personal watercraft racing season. As summer racing continues to build momentum, the IHRA Professional Watercraft Series moves closer to its championship finale, HydroDrags prepares for a major World Championship event with new improvements and procedures, and Nauti Water Racing returns to action with both regional competition and a major schedule shakeup ahead.

IHRA Professional Watercraft Series

With Round 3 at Lake of the Ozarks now in the rearview mirror, the IHRA Professional Watercraft Series is entering the championship stretch. Three events remain on the inaugural 2026 schedule, and with points battles tightening across nearly every division, the race for season titles is beginning to take shape.

Series officials recently opened hotel reservations for the Mercury Midwest Challenge, set for August 7-9 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Racers and teams are encouraged to reserve rooms before the July 26 deadline, as the event marks the first of three remaining stops before the season concludes with September races in Williamsburg, Virginia, and the World Cup at Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

One of the closest championship races continues to be the Endurance Team Championship, where Team Caldwell Racing Monster Energy leads with 520 points. Team JETX & Snyderbuilt sits just nine points behind at 511, while Team Farthing Racing remains well within striking distance with 492 points. With three events remaining, the title is still very much up for grabs.

Individual championships are shaping up just as closely. Jay Edworthy holds a narrow lead in Pro Endurance over Deven Farthing and Noah Skipps, while Garrett Loftin leads AM Endurance 300 and Baron Mernik tops the AM Endurance 200 standings.

Several other divisions remain highly competitive heading into Sheboygan. Straus Mernik continues to pace Sport Spec ahead of Talan Farthing, Sadie Mir leads Ski GP2, Kashe Crawford holds the advantage in Ski GP3, and Emy Garcia sits atop the Women’s Ski GP standings. Eric Lagopoulos leads Runabout GP3, Cash McClure heads the Junior Ski championship, Jason Seeley maintains a slim advantage in Runabout 1100 Limited, Mike “The Klipper” Klippenstein leads Vet Ski, Jeff Wright sits atop Vintage 550, and Coy Curtis continues to lead the Pro Ski championship over Revin Harris and Ryder Wildeboer.

Although the next green flag won’t drop until August, the championship picture is beginning to come into focus. With Sheboygan, Williamsburg, and the season-ending World Cup at Lake Havasu still to come, every remaining moto will carry significant championship implications.

HydroDrags

While the next FuelTech HydroDrags event is still several months away, preparations are already well underway for the 2026 World Championships, and series founder Billy Tew recently shared several event updates with The Watercraft Journal as organizers continue refining one of personal watercraft racing’s premier drag racing weekends.

Among the biggest improvements planned for this year’s event is a redesigned staging area intended to eliminate the lengthy waits racers experienced in previous years. Tew also confirmed the launch pad has been further secured, the electronic starting light system is now fully operational, and both the centerline and finish-line buoy systems have been upgraded with larger, brighter markers to improve visibility for racers and officials alike.

Several procedural changes are also being introduced. Racers will be required to complete a mandatory check-in before the riders meeting to receive their event wristbands and sign a secondary waiver. Every personal watercraft must display matching race numbers at least three inches tall on both sides of the hull, while technical inspections will be conducted before competition and again for the top four finishers in each class following the event. Approved machines must display a visible tech inspection sticker at the launch area, and all competitors will be required to wear an approved helmet, life jacket, neck protection, and closed-toe shoes while competing.

The 2026 FuelTech HydroDrags World Championships are scheduled for November 21-22 at Sunset Cove Amphitheater in Boca Raton, Florida. Organizers note that racing will conclude by 5 p.m. each day because of the earlier November sunset, and entries in each class will be limited. Competition will include Junior (13-16), Sea-Doo vs. Sea-Doo, Pro Stock, Pro Spec, Super Stock, Turbo No Nitrous, Unlimited, and Drag Slalom classes for both stand-up and runabout watercraft, with cash payouts awarded to the top three finishers in every division.

Registration is handled exclusively through the HydroDrags mobile app, which also serves as the series’ central information hub. Available for both Android and iOS devices in English and Spanish, the app provides racers and spectators with live brackets, real-time speed tracking, current rules, event news, ticket information, and additional race weekend updates.

File image – photo by Charles Guinchard

Nauti Water Racing

Nauti Water Racing returns to action this weekend as the Mid-America WaterX Series heads to Branched Oak Recreation Area near Raymond, Nebraska, for Rounds 2 and 3 of the regional championship on July 11-12.

The organization continues its push to make racing more accessible by once again offering free entry for first-time racers, while experienced competitors will be chasing valuable championship points as the Mid-America season continues to build momentum following its June opener at Hillsdale Lake, Kansas. Racing begins Saturday morning following a riders meeting at 8 a.m., with two motos scheduled each day before awards conclude the weekend.

Beyond this weekend’s racing, Nauti Water Racing is also preparing for one of the biggest schedule changes of the season. After the cancellation of the planned Pro Watercross stop at Grand Lake, Oklahoma, organizers moved their Outlaw Series event in Paris, Texas, up to July 25-26. The weekend will now serve as a double-points event for the Dale’s Jetsports Series, significantly increasing the championship stakes.

Rather than simply changing dates, Nauti Water Racing is using the opportunity to introduce a completely redesigned race course. The Paris event will feature a mandatory “Joker Lane,” requiring every rider to take an alternate route once during each race, adding a strategic element rarely seen in personal watercraft competition. Organizers are also planning a shorter, more technical course designed to reward precision and close racing while improving the show for spectators.

Current national championship battles are already beginning to emerge across several classes. Travis Billings leads Junior Ski 10-12 Lites, while Mark Queen tops Junior Ski 13-15 Lites. Andrew Cecere has built a comfortable advantage in Ski 2-Stroke Limited, Sophia Benson holds a commanding lead in Women’s Ski Lites, and Brice Chambers continues to pace Pro-Am Ski Lites. One of the closest contests remains Pro-Am Ski GP, where Ryan Poper’s narrow lead over Brayden Sebben leaves little margin for error as the summer schedule heats up.

That’s a wrap on this week’s WCJ Weekly Racing Roundup. From championship points tightening across national series to organizers refining events and introducing new challenges for racers, the 2026 season continues to evolve at every level of personal watercraft competition. With the biggest battles of the year still ahead, the second half of the racing season promises plenty of action both on and off the water.

ShoreDocker Offers A Simple Way To Launch & A Simple Way to Save $100

Jessica Waters
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ShoreDocker Offers A Simple Way To Launch & A Simple Way to Save $100

By the time July rolls around, most personal watercraft owners have settled into a routine. The excitement of the season’s first launch has long since passed, and after several weekends on the water, you’ve probably discovered what works—and what doesn’t.

Maybe you’ve realized your current launch setup takes longer than you’d like. Maybe you’re still easing your ski onto the shoreline after every ride, or wrestling with a floating dock that never seems to sit quite right. For some riders, it’s simply the effort of getting on and off the water that starts to wear thin after a full day of riding.

That’s one reason many waterfront property owners begin thinking about upgrades in the middle of the season rather than before it. Experience has a way of highlighting the little frustrations that aren’t obvious until you’ve repeated the same routine week after week.

Convenience may seem like a small thing, but it often determines how often you ride. When launching and recovering your PWC is quick and straightforward, it’s easier to squeeze in an evening cruise after work, take advantage of a calm morning before the wind picks up, or head out for “just one more ride” before calling it a day.

A better launch system can also help reduce unnecessary wear. Repeatedly beaching a personal watercraft on sand, gravel, or rocky shorelines can eventually leave cosmetic scuffs and scratches on the hull. While many owners accept that as part of riding, others prefer a system that keeps the hull supported and out of the shallows when it’s not in use.

Ease of use is another factor that often gets overlooked. Families with younger riders, older owners, or anyone who simply doesn’t want to wrestle with a heavy craft after hours on the water can appreciate a setup that requires less effort from launch to retrieval. After a long afternoon in the sun, the last thing most riders want is the hardest part of the day waiting at the shoreline.

If you’ve been considering a shore-mounted launch system, now may be a good time to make the jump.

ShoreDocker is currently offering $100 off its premium Roller-Go ramp systems for first-time customers who sign up through the company’s website. The welcome offer is automatically applied at checkout on qualifying roller systems.

That $100 can help offset accessories or installation costs, and with much of the riding season still ahead, upgrading now means spending the rest of the summer enjoying a simpler, faster launch routine instead of wishing you’d made the change sooner.

Forget Horsepower. This SXR 1500’s Best Upgrade Is Underfoot

Jessica Waters
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Forget Horsepower. This SXR 1500’s Best Upgrade Is Underfoot

Most modifications promise more speed. Some promise more horsepower. But one of the biggest upgrades you can make to a stand-up Kawasaki SXR 1500 has nothing to do with the engine at all.

A recent refresh from GreenHulk PWC Performance Store makes the case plainly. The shop took a worn, weathered SXR 1500 and gave it a complete mat transformation using a custom Jettrim kit, turning a tired-looking deck into something that looks pulled straight off a race trailer. The before-and-after is dramatic enough to stop the scroll, but the real story is what a mat kit does once you’re actually riding.

For stand-up riders, the deck isn’t just cosmetic. It’s the part of the ski you’re in constant contact with, whether you’re carving turns, absorbing chop, or repositioning your feet mid-maneuver. Worn factory mats lose their grip over time, and that lost traction shows up exactly when you need it most. A fresh set of mats restores that planted, locked-in feel, adds cushioning for long days on the water, and does it all without opening the hood.

There’s also the personalization angle. GreenHulk says these Jettrim kits can be built around nearly any color scheme, which means owners aren’t just restoring a worn ski, they’re making it their own. For a stand-up crowd that already treats their skis like an extension of their riding style, that kind of customization carries real weight.

It’s a reminder that not every meaningful upgrade lives under the hood. Sometimes the biggest difference is the one under your feet.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA Appoints Eiko Kirino as New President

Kevin Shaw
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Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA Appoints Eiko Kirino as New President

Coming up through Kawasaki over the last 30 years, Ms. Eiko Kirino has been recently announced as the new President of Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA. Kirino’s career has spanned three decades, overseeing sales, marketing, product planning and corporate communications. Most notably, Kirino’s role in the planning for the Ninja H2 superbike, as well as her participation in developing and promoting the factory racing efforts while at Kawasaki France.

Kirino oversaw Kawasaki Motors Japan as President in 2021 and aided in increasing Kawasaki’s domestic sales before being appointed to lead global strategy for corporate communications and external affairs. What stands out most is Kirino’s love for motorcycles. She’s a rider first and foremost. And having an enthusiast overseeing a performance powersports brand is key to driving the product and company forward in the right direction.

Here’s the original press release:
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. welcomes Eiko Kirino as President effective July 1st. With more than 30 years with Kawasaki, Ms. Kirino has built a broad career overseeing Sales, Marketing, Product Planning, and Corporate Communications.

Ms. Kirino began her tenure with Kawasaki first assigned to Kawasaki France where she was focused on growth through sales, market development and racing and later returned to Japan to lead the Sales Department for all of Europe. Her experience then focused on product planning for performance models such as the launch of the Ninja® H2 and again progressed as she was assigned to the position of General Manager of Kawasaki’s global marketing efforts. In 2021, Ms. Kirino was appointed to President of Kawasaki Motors Japan leading Kawasaki’s domestic sales within Japan before being called on to lead global strategy for corporate communications and external affairs.

As a motorcycle rider and enthusiast, Ms. Kirino is excited to build on the strong momentum that Kawasaki has established in North America and will oversee all Powersports and General Purpose Engine operations.

After joining Kawasaki USA in 2022, current President, Mr. Kawaguchi, will return to Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. in Japan. Mr. Kawaguchi has led the North American operations since 2024 and his time culminated with leading Kawasaki to achieve No. 1 Motorcycle market share in 2025.

“As Kawasaki pursues its vision for sustainable, long-term global growth, the U.S. remains our most important market,” said Ms. Kirino. “It is both a tremendous honor and a personal joy for me to lead Kawasaki USA having long held a deep passion for powersports, both professionally and personally. As Kawasaki celebrates 60 years in the USA, our mission has been to bring Good Times to riders across America. As the Good Times Company, we are always challenging ourselves to develop and innovate new models that deliver happiness to everyone connected to Kawasaki and I look forward to working with our employees, dealers and partners to build on this proud legacy.”

Open Water. Open Throttle. This Is What Freedom Feels Like.

Jessica Waters
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Open Water. Open Throttle. This Is What Freedom Feels Like.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, freedom meant something very different than it does today. It was earned through sacrifice, determination, and the kind of courage that changed the course of history. It meant muskets and bayonets, uncertainty and struggle, and a belief that future generations deserved something better than the world they were handed.

This weekend, thankfully, it looks a little different.

For most of us, Independence Day is simpler. It’s burgers on the grill. Old friends who pick up conversations like no time has passed. Kids running between coolers and dock lines. Fireworks reflecting off the water long after the sun goes down.

And somewhere in the middle of all of that is your PWC, sitting at the ramp — waiting.

There’s something about pushing away from shore that hits differently. The shoreline fades, the noise drops out, and for a little while it’s just open water and the kind of freedom you can actually feel. Not the kind written into history books — but the kind measured in distance from everything that normally pulls on your attention.

We all know that one guy — the one who skips the walk-around because the ramp line’s already backing up and he doesn’t want to hold anyone up. Twenty minutes later, the waterline’s creeping up the hull, and he’s picturing the drain plug sitting right where he left it — on the workbench, at home, nowhere near the ski. He gets a story he’ll never live down, and everyone else gets a very effective reminder that the two minutes you save skipping the check aren’t worth the two hours you lose fixing what you skipped.

So before you push off this weekend, a few things worth a glance — and a few things worth doing on purpose.

Five Things to Watch For

  1. A battery that’s weaker than you remember — it always picks the worst possible moment to prove it.
  2. A drain plug that isn’t actually in, no matter how sure you are that it is.
  3. Fuel that’s been sitting since last season — old gas causes new problems.
  4. Trailer tires that have baked in a driveway all summer — heat and highway miles don’t forgive neglect.
  5. Wheel bearings or hubs running hotter than they should — if something feels off, it probably is.

Five Things to Do

  1. Get the trademark tan lines — you know the ones – the lanyard loops on your wrist, the raccoon mask from your sunglasses, and the oh-so-glamourous PFD tan – wear them like a badge.
  2. Let the kids ride the wake at least once, even if it means doubling back.
  3. Race someone to the sandbar you have no intention of actually beating them to.
  4. Cut the engine mid-lake, just to sit in the quiet for a minute before the fireworks start.
  5. Thank whoever’s manning the grill back at the dock — loudly, and before you’re asked to.

Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just getting on the water — it’s getting back off it with the same freedom you started with.

And that’s worth slowing down for, at least for the two minutes it takes to check the plug.

A Note of Thanks

As we celebrate another Independence Day on the water, we’d also like to thank the advertisers and industry partners who support The Watercraft Journal year-round. Their backing gives us the freedom to cover this sport, share its stories, and stay focused on the people, machines, and events that make this community what it is.

If you enjoy what we do here, we hope you’ll consider supporting the companies that support the sport.

From all of us at Watercraft Journal — have a safe, memorable, and happy Fourth of July. We’ll see you on the water.

(The WCJ Weekly Race Recap will be back next week after we all recover from the holiday weekend.)

Retired Minister Turns Grief Into a 1,000-Mile Solo Lake Michigan Crossing

Jessica Waters
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Retired Minister Turns Grief Into a 1,000-Mile Solo Lake Michigan Crossing

On July 6, Tom Dickelman will launch his 2026 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO from Illinois and begin a solo, 1,000-mile circumnavigation of Lake Michigan.

Over the next 26 days, he’ll visit 15 harbors across Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, host community gatherings centered on music and hope, and raise money for brain cancer research. But while the logistics of crossing one of North America’s largest freshwater lakes alone on a personal watercraft are impressive, Dickelman says the journey really began several years ago.

“I realized I never really grieved my sister’s death,” he said.

His sister, Sue, died from glioblastoma in 2022 after more than four years battling the aggressive form of brain cancer.

“I wasn’t having much fun anymore,” Dickelman said. “I put those two together and figured the best way to honor Sue was to raise money for glioblastoma treatments and cures—and to be on the water, which has always been my happy place.”

That idea became GLiO 1000.

“DO GOOD. HAVE FUN.”

The four words beneath the handlebars of “Suzy Q” that Tom Dickelman says guide both this journey and his life.

Dickelman is no stranger to Lake Michigan. A lifelong sailor and retired minister, he’s spent decades living along its shores, owned sailboats, windsurfers and powerboats, crewed in the famed 333-mile Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, and even circumnavigated the lake once before — on a Yamaha motorcycle, more than 40 years ago, before he entered the ministry.

Originally, he admits, his idea was even more ambitious.

“My first thought was to do the Great Loop on a WaveRunner,” he laughed.

Compared to that, a lap around Lake Michigan suddenly seemed almost reasonable.

Beginning July 6 from Lake Bluff, Illinois, Dickelman will head south to Chicago before crossing the lake to New Buffalo, Michigan. From there he’ll work his way north along Michigan’s shoreline before making the crossing to Beaver Island and eventually navigating the notoriously unpredictable waters around Death’s Door before returning south through Wisconsin.

Some destinations hold special meaning.

“I’ve never been to Beaver Island,” he said. “And I’m excited to stay with seminary friends in Manistee that I’ve only seen once in the last 45 years.”

The trip isn’t simply about covering miles.

At many of his stops Dickelman will host “Dance Between the Waves” community events featuring live music, conversation and stories centered on hope. Every event will be different—from appearances at parks and churches to waterfront restaurants—but each will share the same purpose.

“I wanted to learn more about how people think about hope,” he said, “and share what I learned from Sue.”

The journey also serves as a fundraiser benefiting the Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern Medicine, one of the nation’s leading brain tumor research centers.

“I think they loved that it wasn’t another gala or golf tournament,” Dickelman said.

His goal is to raise more than $100,000 for glioblastoma research.

Making the trip possible is a stock 2026 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO affectionately named Suzy Q, after his sister.

Aside from a built-in navigation system and a Rec Deck equipped to carry fuel, electronics and camping gear, the WaveRunner remains remarkably close to showroom condition.

Preparing for the ride, however, has been anything but ordinary.

Recognizing that his biggest obstacle might simply be staying healthy, Dickelman has spent the past eight months focusing on strength, flexibility and core conditioning while logging as much seat time as possible.

“I’ve worked out more diligently than at any time in the last 30 years,” he said.

He’s also discovered another unexpected source of motivation.

“The people who tell me, ‘You’re nuts,'” he laughed. “I only get more focused when people tell me I can’t do something.”

Dickelman knows the challenges won’t all come from rough water.

There are still overnight stops to finalize, weather decisions that may force schedule changes, and the ever-present possibility of mechanical issues far from shore.

But he also expects surprises of a different kind.

“I think there will be sunrises and sunsets that take my breath away,” he said. “What’s exciting is that I don’t know what lies ahead, whether they be joys or concerns.”

For the personal watercraft community, Dickelman hopes the adventure helps people see WaveRunners differently.

“I’d love people to see skis as wonderful, fast, fun, affordable boats,” he said.

It’s a pattern with him — using a personal challenge to help people see something ordinary in a new light. Forty years after his motorcycle lap, he’ll make the journey again — still on a Yamaha, but this time on the water

Whether GLiO 1000 raises $100,000, inspires someone facing their own challenge, or simply reminds readers that adventure doesn’t have an expiration date, Dickelman hopes people take away one simple idea:

“I’d love it if people began to think of hope as a verb,” he said. “It’s something we do, not just something we think.”

Follow the GLiO 1000 Adventure

Departure: July 6, 2026, from Lake Bluff, Illinois

Distance: Approximately 1,000 miles over 26 days

Watercraft: 2026 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO “Suzy Q”

Mission: Raise $100,000+ for glioblastoma research benefiting the Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern Medicine.

Follow Along: Twice-daily updates, Garmin LiveTrack, route information and donation details are available at GLiO1000.org.

Follow the Journey: Dickelman plans to post twice-daily updates throughout the trip, along with a live Garmin tracker showing his progress around Lake Michigan. Readers can follow the adventure and learn more about supporting GLiO 1000 at GLiO1000.org.

 

Stand-Up Jet Ski Racer Takes Gold — on a Runabout

Jessica Waters
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Stand-Up Jet Ski Racer Takes Gold — on a Runabout
Photo: Fédération Royale Marocaine de Motonautique

Lisa Caussin-Battaglia describes riding a jet ski not as control, but as connection.

“When you are on the jet ski,” she says, “you are not on the jet ski. You are with the jet ski. It’s like a dance.”

That idea—of rider and machine in motion together—has defined a career spent in one of the most physically demanding disciplines in personal watercraft sport.

And in Agadir, Morocco, it produced one of the standout performances of her career.

At the World Cup Mohammed VI of Jet Ski in Agadir, one of the most competitive international events in the discipline, Caussin-Battaglia delivered a multi-class performance that marked a new milestone in her racing profile.

In an interview with the Gazette de Monaco shortly after the Morocco win, Caussin-Battaglia said she planning on taking part in the IJSBA World Series race in Bulgaria in July, followed by the United States in October and Thailand in December…

Competing in the Runabout 1100 Women’s category, she secured gold, adding a silver medal in the Runabout 1100 mixed category and finishing 7th in endurance as the top female rider in a field of 18 competitors.

Beyond the individual results, the performance carried added significance for Monaco, marking the first female podium in runabout racing for the Principality.

It was a result that extended beyond a single class or discipline and reflected a broader versatility within UIM competition.

While the Agadir result drew attention in runabout competition, Caussin-Battaglia’s primary discipline has been stand-up jet ski racing on the UIM circuit, where she has competed at world championship level for more than a decade.

For more than a decade, she has been a consistent presence in international standings, regularly finishing inside the top 10 in world championship competition.

Her results include a 4th-place finish in 2020 and multiple 5th-place finishes across European and world championship events in 2021.

Rather than a single breakthrough moment, her career has been defined by steady progression in a highly technical and physically demanding sport.

Lisa Caussin-Battaglia finished as the top female rider in the seated jet ski speed event in Agadir in early February. Photo: Royal Moroccan Motorboating Federation

The bridge between disciplines

The Agadir result highlights a reality of modern UIM competition: athletes are increasingly competing across multiple categories within the same racing ecosystem.

While Caussin-Battaglia is known primarily as a stand-up racer, her performance in runabout competition demonstrated adaptability across different machine platforms and race formats.

It also underscored the technical overlap within personal watercraft racing, where balance, wave reading, and racecraft translate across categories even as equipment and physical demands change.

RonnyMac.com

Unlike many riders who begin in early childhood, Caussin-Battaglia discovered stand-up jet ski racing at 16 through a local sports introduction program in Monaco.

Her first experience was recreational rather than competitive.

“I tried it and I was like wow—it was fantastic,” she said. “The sensation of the sea, the salt, the waves… the element.”

Initially, she approached sport as exploration rather than ambition. That changed quickly once she entered structured training and competition.

Her first races came in mixed fields, often as the only woman on the start line.

“I finished the race and I was very happy,” she said. “I knew I wanted to be a true athlete.”

Stand-up jet ski racing is often underestimated from the outside, but the physical requirements are severe.

Riders operate at high speed over rough water conditions, absorbing continuous impact while maintaining balance and precision through buoy turns and race traffic.

Caussin-Battaglia describes the body mechanics in simple terms.

“You need to use your legs like suspension,” she said. “If you stay stiff, your back is destroyed in minutes.”

Her training reflects that reality: strength work, cardio, cycling, skiing, athletics, and endurance conditioning designed to prepare for both impact and sustained intensity.

It is a discipline where rider and machine must function as a single system under constant load.

Risk, reality, and commitment

Like many high-speed water sports, jet ski racing carries inherent risk.

Over the course of her career, Caussin-Battaglia has witnessed serious accidents within the broader racing environment, including fatal incidents.

Those experiences sit alongside the routine demands of training and competition, where risk is present but accepted as part of the sport’s structure rather than an exception to it.

At the elite level, participation in jet ski racing requires ongoing financial commitment.

Equipment, engines, maintenance, travel, and race entry costs form a continuous burden, and prize money alone does not consistently offset expenses across a season.

Caussin-Battaglia acknowledges the demands of sustaining a competitive program in a sport where access to equipment and resources directly affects performance potential.

It is a reality shared across much of international personal watercraft racing, where talent and funding often intersect.

Born and based in Monaco, Caussin-Battaglia competes under a national identity closely tied to high-profile motorsport, but less frequently associated with watercraft racing.

Her family background reflects a deep connection to water-based sport, including Olympic sailing representation and international rowing competition within her family.

For her, representing Monaco carries both visibility and responsibility.

“I am the first woman in Monaco to be recognized as a high-level athlete in mechanical sport,” she said. “It is important for me to show it is possible.”

Across disciplines, conditions, and competition formats, Caussin-Battaglia returns to the same description of her relationship with racing.

It is not control. It is not distance.

It is connection.

“It is like a dance,” she said.

And in a sport defined by speed, endurance, and constant adaptation, that remains the simplest and most accurate explanation of all.

GreenHulk Kicks Off 4th of July Sale With Discounts Across Top PWC Brands

Jessica Waters
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GreenHulk Kicks Off 4th of July Sale With Discounts Across Top PWC Brands

If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your personal watercraft, now might be the perfect time. GreenHulk Performance has launched its annual 4th of July Sale, offering discounts on everything from performance kits and aftermarket parts to riding gear and maintenance essentials.

The sale includes savings on many of the industry’s most popular brands, including RIVA Racing, Worx Racing, Maptuner, JetPilot, Solas, CP Pistons and more. Whether you’re building a race-ready machine, improving your weekend ride, or simply stocking up on oils and maintenance supplies for the rest of the season, the promotion covers a wide range of products.

In addition to storewide discounts, GreenHulk is also offering limited-time “Doorbuster” pricing on select high-demand part numbers, with savings reaching 25 percent while supplies last.

RIVA Kawasaki Ultra 310 (2022+)/160 (2023+) Performance Ride Plate Retail Price: $429.95 / Discounted Price: $322.46
Designed for 2022+ Kawasaki Ultra 310 and 2023+ Ultra 160 models, this race-proven ride plate delivers improved handling, quicker acceleration, reduced porpoising, enhanced straight-line tracking, and top speed gains of more than 3 mph while remaining IJSBA race legal.

RIVA Sea-Doo 2016-17 RXT-X/GTX Limited 300 Rear Exhaust Kit  Retail Price: $419.95 / Discounted Price: $314.96
This rear exhaust kit improves performance by reducing exhaust back pressure and restriction while replacing the factory sound suppression system with a mandrel-bent aluminum exhaust tube, billet through-hull outlet, and all necessary installation hardware for a clean, high-performance finish.

RIVA Sea-Doo 2021+ RXP & 2020+ GTR Pro-Series Steering System – Black Retail Price: $499.95 / Discounted Price: $374.96
Designed for 2021+ Sea-Doo RXP and 2020+ GTR models, this race-proven steering system replaces the factory plastic assembly with a rigid billet aluminum unit for greater strength, improved steering precision, enhanced reliability, and compatibility with RIVA PRO-BAR aluminum handlebars.

RIVA Sea-Doo 2021+ RXP & 2020+ GTR Pro-Series Steering Bundle Retail Price: $746.85 / Discounted Price:$634.82
RIVA Sea-Doo 2021+ RXP & 2020+ GTR Pro-Series Steering Bundle combines a CNC-machined billet aluminum steering column, PRO-BAR handlebars, and billet iControl levers to deliver a race-proven upgrade with improved rigidity, precision steering feel, enhanced ergonomics, and corrosion-resistant construction for high-performance control.

RIVA Sea-Doo 2018+ RXT/GTX 230/300 & 2024 RXT-X 325 Pro-Series Steering System Retail Price: $499.95 / Discounted Price: $374.96
Designed for 2018 & newer Sea-Doo RXT/GTX 230/300 models, this race-proven steering system replaces the factory plastic assembly with a billet aluminum unit for increased strength and rigidity, improved steering precision and reliability, OEM wiring compatibility, and compatibility with RIVA PRO-BAR handlebars.

RIVA Yamaha 2025+ JetBlaster Free Flow Exhaust Kit Retail Price: $234.95 / Discounted Price: $176.21
Designed for 2025 & newer Yamaha JetBlaster models, this exhaust upgrade replaces the restrictive factory sound suppression system between the waterbox and hull exit with mandrel-bent, powder-coated aluminum tubing to reduce back pressure, improve performance, enhance exhaust tone, and resist corrosion, and includes silicone couplers, stainless steel clamps, and installation hardware.

RIVA Yamaha 2015-21 FX Pro-Series Steering System Retail Price: $474.95 / Discounted Price: $356.21
Designed for Yamaha FX models, this race-proven steering system replaces the bulky OEM mechanism with a lighter billet aluminum unit for increased rigidity, improved precision steering feel, adjustable quick-turn response, enhanced durability, and compatibility with 7/8” handlebars and aftermarket controls.

RIVA Yamaha EX/EXR & 2022-24 JetBlaster Top-Loader Intake Grate Retail Price: $189.95 / Discounted Price: $142.46
This top-loader intake grate for Yamaha EX, EXR, and 2022–24 JetBlaster models improves hook-up and handling in rough water by increasing jet pump water flow, reducing cavitation and prop spin, and maintaining top speed in smooth conditions with a race-bred, corrosion-resistant design.

The 4th of July Sale is available now through GreenHulk Performance. Visit the online store for complete details and to browse all eligible products before the promotion ends.

Check out the website for deals like these!

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