Imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery, and for freerider Mark Gomez, there’s a whole lot of flattery going around. Prior to this past IJSBA World Finals, the Southern California Hydro-Turf rider produced a video of he performing a sequence of flatwater freestyle tricks stuffed inside of one of those inflatable tyrannosaurus rex costumes. The end result was not only hilarious, but also exceptionally viral, which, in turn, birthed a handful of similar T-Rex-on-a-PWC videos.

The latest of these is also one of the better produced, having come from the creatives at Look Marketing – y’know, the guys who pretty much handle everything public for Sea-Doo. This time around, the video features a caveman fleeing a tyrannosaur in pursuit of a hot meal (although, historically, the two were separated by literally tens of millions of years, but hey, suspend your disbelief for a minute or two). The caveman reaches a clearing and encounters a brand-spankin’-new Sea-Doo Spark Trixx, perfect for his escape.

The Rex, clearly upset that his meal has escaped, opines for a chance to enjoy the Spark as well, and in a feat of kindness, is handed the lanyard to the new Trixx (we particularly like the adjustable steering helping accommodate the T-Rex’s tiny arms). The Trixx of course, is the latest addition to the Sea-Doo line up of Rec Lite machines, and offers enthusiasts a specially-tailored machine that can aptly perform tailstands, power slides and other tricks with ease.

It’s possibly the most seen PWC wipeout ever. Now here’s the story behind it:

The year was 2005 and an epic swell hit the island of Tahiti. Surfers from around the world descended on a crazy wave that sits below sea level and breaks over a sharp deadly reef. Called Teahupo’o, it’s literally at the “end of the road.” Surfers come from around the world to charge the heavy swell that made its way to infamous surf spot, many of them had experienced or witnessed many heavy wipeouts, none like the one you’re going to read about.

It was a tow-in day and surfers Reef McIntosh and Raimana Van Bastolaer showed up to pull into some giant waves. McIntosh, an inexperienced jet ski driver had no idea what he was getting into when Bastolaer asked him to drive the ski into the line up and attach the tow rope. The surfer admittedly had no experience driving personal watercraft and had no intentions of doing anymore than what he had already accomplished.

Unfortunately, Bastolaer’s tow-in partner was not around so McIntosh was told to jump on and prepare to tow him into a wave. McIntosh was like, “No way,” yet Bastolaer insisted that he could do it. After some coercing, McIntosh still uncertain, agreed to the task.

There was big chop on the waves and it was a little stormy on that crazy day in May. This was definitely no place for a dude with no driving skills to attempt towing a surfer into a wave. Bastolaer almost paid the ultimate price for their actions. The ski that McIntosh was steering was literally picked up by a thick heaving wave. He bailed off the back after losing control, leaving the jet ski alone in the surf. That’s when the riderless machine tumbled precisely over Bastolaer’s head while both were within the confines of a massive barreling wave. It’s amazing that he wasn’t hit by the ski and came out unscathed. We aren’t so sure about the watercraft though.

Prior to the incident, a video shows surfers being safely towed into monstrous caverns, with some guy getting worked while others made successful rides. The jet ski drivers simply dropped them off and quickly motored out the back; which was not the case with McIntosh. His first experience as a tow-in driver was not only a debacle, it was caught on film as well.

Here’s what McIntosh says in a quote from GrindTV.com, “Once I popped up, I was just praying that I’d see him kick out into the channel; that’s all that mattered to me. Once I saw him do so, I was so relieved. After that, I just had to deal with a bruised ego and a lot of embarrassment. Andy Irons was in the channel, and he was like, ‘You shouldn’t have been out there,’ and I was like, ‘I know!’ It was in Sports Illustrated, the “[Late Night with David] Letterman” Show, ‘Good Morning America’; that @#$% was everywhere! I can look back on it now and laugh, and once I saw Raimana, I was like, ‘I told you I couldn’t #$%@-ing drive!’”

The official release of the 2016 Grayland Open sports television show will be released to the masses this Sunday afternoon! The show will air on multiple television networks over the next year but will also be available on demand through a link that we will provide this Sunday!

Paul Higgins and his crew at Athletes in Motion (in association with ESPN) have really worked hard to put together a great show that showcases a lot of different riders and even some fans and spectators. I am very happy with the way it turned out and I think you will all like it as well! For now we will trickle out some extra interviews AIM sports has provided to get you pumped! Check it out! you may just be in it!

For a sample of Athletes in Motion’s work, make sure to check out their videos from this year’s past Grayland Open; stating, “Athletes In Motion Sports Television hits the beach with Zoe Zehren as she catches up with riders, spectators and fans of the sport of Jet Ski Free Ride. Enjoy.”

OK, that headline might be a little misleading. This isn’t some state-of-the-art Tesla-powered Slingshot, but a kid’s battery-powered four-wheeler (remember “Power Wheels?” Sorta like that -Ed.). This super cool toy has been heavily customized by Slingshot Only, the Polaris Slingshot custom shop and retailer out of Cycle Springs Powersports in Clearwater, Florida.

The auction is to raise proceeds to help 10 less fortunate children have an awesome Christmas. To do so, Cycle Springs and Sling Shot only specially modified features some cool dress up mods including custom-designed Marine Mats and B2B Slingshot Only stickers. The 12 volt electric cart is also slated to get some exhaust and LED lighting.

The auction ends on Sat Nov 12th at 2:15PM EST at the Cycle Springs/Slingshot Only Christmas Charity Event being held at the Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort, so you gotta act quick if you’re going to place a bid. To do so, you must be logged in as a registered user. Click “My Account” Tab to login HERE. Again, this is a great toy for kids aged 3-to-8 years, and your winning bid goes to help some deserving kids who haven’t been as blessed in life as you have been.

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Like many PWC enthusiasts, riders all over the world know about the Mark Hahn Memorial 300 Mile Endurance Race. This is the “World’s Longest Continuous PWC Race” available to the PWC riding community. This race will test you and your team to your limits, test your machine to unprecedented speeds and test your body to see if it has what it takes to last in the race against the conditions.

Mark Hahn was a dedicated PWC rider and gave back to our ever-growing community. Sadly he was involved in a crash during a race in 2004. This race was created to continue his legacy and the impact he left on us. Many riders do everything in their power during their race to complete it and use his legacy as fuel to continue on.

This is a “Team” event which means that there are allowed two riders per team for the sitdown class and three riders per team for the stand up class. While many riders form a team to increase their chances of completing the race, a select few choose to ride solo the entire race to gain the title of Ironman. The riders that sign up for this races are by no means, new to this sport. This is a race where the best riders in the USA and surrounding countries will show their ability to withstand any condition and have the endurance to race and complete a 300 mile race.

A race with this magnitude could not be put on without the help of very supportive sponsors: Hot Products USA and Yamaha Motor Corp USA. This year’s race has built a ton of anticipation and is projected to bring in a record setting number of entries. The stakes are higher, the prizes are bigger, and the giveaways are plentiful. We understand if you are unable to make the trip and participate in the race but any support to give to fellow races would be greatly appreciated!

The race has been welcomed back to the Crazy Horse Campground’s Main Beach in Lake Havasu City, Arizona for the starting line of the race. The race date is Sunday February 12, 2017. Get your plans and team ready because the countdown is upon us!

Be sure to read the full press release below:
13th Annual Hot Products IJSBA Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300 Presented by Yamaha Set for Sunday February 12, 2017 in Lake Havasu

The 13th Annual “World’s Longest Continuous PWC Race” was announced today by the event promoter Jim Russell, DSM Events owner, and Executive producer Mike Follmer. The 2017 Hot Products IJSBA Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300 Mile National Team Endurance Race Presented by YAMAHA is all set to launch on Sunday, February 12, 2017 from Crazy Horse Campground in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The 2016 event attracted teams and riders from 14 Countries around the world and will once again be sanctioned by the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA), and it is expected to draw a new record number teams from around the globe as well as all of the top PWC racers from the USA. The Teams will be competing against each other while trying to break the 300 mile record of 4 hour 46 minute and 13 seconds set by the 2016 Mark Hahn Memorial Overall winners Pastorello and Botti of Team Kawasaki France.

For the 13th consecutive year the race is being held again in the memory of endurance racer Mark Hahn who was instrumental in providing the momentum to keep endurance racing going strong and growing across the country before his untimely death during a PWC race in 2004. The “Team” format features two riders for runabout (sit down) boat teams and up to three riders for a stand-up craft. Solo riders are also welcome to “Ironman” the race on either style of boat, a real test of endurance and stamina reserved for only the true endurance zealots. The 2011 event was the second PWC event to use transponders in the United States and it was well received and helped to increase the professionalism of this national event. Transponders have been used since that time and will be used again in the 2017 event.

“The race is returning to Crazy Horse Campground’s Main Beach site for this very important event”, said Jim Russell, “and the 10 mile course we have approval from the Coast Guard will pit all the teams against the wind, rough water and long runs that this event has become synonymous with.” In addition to all the weather and water conditions all the teams have to contend with, they will also be required to make fuel stops, without spilling fuel, and make rider changes several times during the race, while modifying their race strategies as the race progresses. There will be six different classes competing on the race course simultaneously, with all the racers competing for the overall title. At the conclusion of the race, each class winning team will be crowned the IJSBA National Team Endurance Champion for their respective class. A first-class awards program will feature a sit down dinner and will once again be held at the Aquatic Center – Rods and Recs room.

“After the gigantic success and worldwide recognition received in the press of the 2016 Hot Products Mark Hahn Memorial Presented by Yamaha, it is expected that a new record number of entries will come out for the thirteenth annual event,” Mike Follmer said. “We’re already in high gear making preparations so the 2017 event outshine what we did in 2016 by getting more giveaways and even nicer trophies for the massive awards banquet at the Aquatic Center that will far surpass what we did in 2016. We have on the water still photography and magazine coverage to chronicle the event for the riders. The awards banquet will feature a sit down dinner for over 300 people and over 75 award trophies to be presented too overall and class winners with a host of special awards that will once again surprise their worthy recipients.”

We are very fortunate to have Hot Products USA return as the title sponsor of the 2017 event as well as Yamaha Motor Corp USA and all our many other great sponsors that have helped support this exciting event for many years. All of the pre-race attention and planning for the 2017 IJSBA Hot Products Mark Hahn Memorial Presented by Yamaha will guarantee that it will far surpass the previous years which have been heralded by many as the “Best PWC race on the planet”! Get your teams together and your entry in early to make sure you don’t miss out on this great experience.

Entry forms and entry information sheets will be released soon for the February 18th event. Entry forms, race information, updates will be posted on the Mark Hahn Facebook page and web sites at: www.pwctoday.com, www.pwcoffshore.com, www.ijsba.com

With the explosion of interest in personal watercraft fishing, riders from all over the world have started rigging their crafts with fishing pole holders, GPS’, and coolers along with many other accessories. Riders love to personalize their ride to fit their lifestyle, adding a custom wrap will accomplish just that.

The crew over at The Sign Studio has made a great looking DAIWA sponsored vinyl wrap for JetSkiFishing’s 2016 Sea-Doo GTX 155. These guys are the kings of jet ski fishing and are always finding news ways to improve their time out fishing. This particular ski was “Rigged for JetSkiFishing with the latest Raymarine ES78 Sounder/GPS with a chirp thru-hull transducer, dual battery system, navigation lights and the Ultimate Rod Holder fishing kit,” explains JetSkiFishing.

While DAIWA owned the canvas with the size of its letters, there were many other sponsors present that made it possible to have this custom vinyl wrap done. Whether you are fortunate to have support from sponsors or are financially providing for your passion, there is a vinyl wrap for you.

These wraps are durable enough to protect the paint from rubbing up on a dock or any other objects like a fishing pole or fish! Putting a vinyl wrap on your craft will give you the peace of mind that when you have a fish on, you don’t need to worry about your paint. View a wrap as an investment because if you decide to retire your watercraft from fishing and want to use it recreationally, removing the wrap will be no problem.

Check the video out for yourself and see the process of applying a vinyl wrap and the end appearance that will surely turn eyes when people see a cooler full of fish and a great looking watercraft sporting a great looking vinyl wrap.

Whether you’re tucking your personal watercraft in for a long winter’s nap, you’re just needing to give your ride its regularly-schedule maintenance, there are few shops providing better service, more attentive care or professional hands-on labor than our friends at Jet X Powersports. The Woodbridge, Ontario service center has been providing service for personal watercraft, jet boats, ATVs, dirt bikes and snowmobiles for over a decade, supporting the Greater Toronto Area and Northern Ontario area. Whether you’re in need of a tune-up, jet pump service, or a full-blown engine rebuild, Jet X Powersports has the capabilities and expertise to get the job done. And if you’re looking to pump up your PWC’s performance, they’ve got that covered too.

But the biggest outlier between Jet X Powersports and most service shops, its that Jet X offers a Mobile Service that will come to you. “We have built our reputation on providing a wide range of services that can be performed at a location convenient for our clients such as winterization of boats, skis and other vehicles. If the services required cannot be completed via our Mobile Service, Jet X Powersports can also provide a pickup and delivery service,” stated Ryan Dalli, owner and chief technical expert at Jet X. In fact, Dalli was on the road to a customer when we spoke this morning, stating: “[I’m] still busy with winterizing! We usually go through 400-to-600 litres of coolant every year. It’s a large part of business.”

Recently, Dalli shared one happy customer who brought their Yamaha FZR in for routine maintenance. Amazingly, the Yamaha has racked up a staggering 377 hours with needing one supercharger gear and the usual service items (oil, plugs, etc.) throughout that whole duration! It’s a testament to the quality of the machine and the attention to detail that Jet X Powersports puts in to each of their customer’s toys.