The video features Lucie Chilton and Matthew Trace from Defero Communications as they volunteered for some safety course training. The Watercraft Journal met up with Lucie who described it for us:

“We undertook some training with PWP (the Personal Watercraft Partnership, the official UK body for personal watercrafts) and the RYA at Jet Ski Safaris in Poole.

“The training taught us the knowledge of [PWC] and how to use them safely, this also included training on the importance and safety of weather forecasts and rules of the water for yourself and other water users, including safe speed, ‘road’ priorities and overtaking.

“When out of the water, our instructor Candi Abbott, trained us on stopping distances, control at speeds and other exercises including how to approach and recover a man overboard in a rescue situation and how to tow another PW or craft.

“Out of the water and into the classroom, the course included essential navigation: reading charts for land, shallow/deep water, hazards direction and distances. With this knowledge, getting back out onto the water following the route we plotted in the classroom, identifying buoys and landmarks with our compass navigation.

“We are basically trying to highlight the importance of  training/understanding for personal watercraft with our video and the work with PWP. I know you are based in America but the same principle still applies to have fun but be safe on the water!”

There are few brands more closely tied to the long arc of jet ski racing than Skat-Trak. With nearly 60 years of manufacturing experience, the Stuart family first gained traction developing custom paddle tires for dune buggies, sand rails and ATVs, eventually stepping into performance impellers by the early 1980s, and custom pump building thereafter.

Located in Southern California’s Inland Empire, Skat-Trak’s Calimesa location has stood the tests of time, and is one of the few locations that all diehard personal watercraft racers must make the journey to, if only once in their lifetime. The Watercraft Journal made that very same pilgrimage in July of last year and produced a very exclusive, inside view at how Skat-Trak creates their championship-winning products.

Today, Skat-Trak is still one of the biggest names in custom props and pumps – particularly their legendary set-back Magnum pumps, not to mention one of the leaders in the unique double “Twin Drive” impellers used for Flyboard applications across the globe. Still the favorite of many top level racers and performance enthusiasts – including 17-time World Champion Dustin Farthing and Greenhulk.net’s Jerry Gaddis.

That is why we at The Watercraft Journal are honored to welcome Skat-Trak to our growing family of supporting advertisers. Keep an eye out for their ads, and any hot news coming your way from one of the most proven names in performance PWC!

We’re two days late on making this announcement, so there’s little time to waste: Sea-Doo has partnered with viral videographer Devin “Super Tramp” Graham to throw the Ultimate Sea-Doo Beach Party! Not only will one lucky winner and two friends receive an all-expense paid trip to “live out your dream of the Ultimate Sea-Doo Beach Party” but will also be part of Devin Super Tramp’s next hit video. Oh yeah, and you’ll also win a new Sea-Doo Spark watercraft to take home when it’s all said and done.

Sounds pretty awesome, right? You bet it is! The sweepstakes entry period has already started as of March 24th and running through April 30th. To enter, all you need to do is submit your best photos or 15-second videos showing how you like to #SparkSomeFun. The Top 5 best #SparkSomeFun submissions will be put to a public vote from April 2-6, with the winner scoring all the aforementioned goods!

But wait! There’s more! Sea-Doo will also select one random winner each week to receive exclusive Sea-Doo gear, so there’s a whole lot of ways you can win big from Sea-Doo! Make sure to stay posted to all of the updates sure to come through Sea-Doo’s social media outlets and watch the announcement video below:

Illawarra Mercury News of Australia reported that a pair of thieves snagged a $7,000 jet ski from a house near Lake Illawarra. Dylan Triggs of Lemeah and Samantha Chandler of Macquarie Fields wanted to take the ski for a joy ride and instead ended up leading police officers on a wild chase in their car.

After stealing a set of license plates, Triggs and Chandler attached the trailered jet ski to the vehicle and were set to put it in the lake so they could go for a ride until law enforcement officers spotted the car towing the alleged stolen property and attempted to pull Triggs over. Rather than heed the officers, he swerved into another lane, cut off an ambulance, and fled! His car ended up in a ditch and he proceeded to flee on foot. Officers quickly apprehended him and placed him under arrest.

After the two of them were arrested, they were each charged with two counts of larceny. Triggs faced additional charges of fleeing police, driving an unregistered vehicle, using stolen tags, and Driving Under the Influence.

Chandler denied she knew that the personal watercraft was stolen and claimed that Triggs showed up with the trailer and watercraft attached to his car.

When Triggs made his attempt to get a bail set, Sargent Jacob, probably the arresting officer disputed this because Triggs was a known habitual criminal and posed a risk to public safety. He was also unemployed.

The larcenous duos’ defense attorney, Laura Fennel, said that Triggs was having problems with his children, dealing with a recent break up, and using meth. She proceeded to explain to the court that he needed to attend a 30-day drug rehabilitation center and upon completion, he should live with his parents.

Meanwhile, Chandler pleaded for release through using the excuse that she needed to see her children begin school and her ties to the community were strong. Fennell agreed and stated that the young mother would report to the police on a regular basis.

Bail was denied to both parties.

We at The Watercraft Journal are big supporters of the many various jet ski events happening across the globe to raise awareness, funds and support for so many worthwhile organizations, charities and medical beneficiaries. One in particular, the annual Yamaha Variety Jet Trek is particularly significant for its support for Variety, the Children’s Charity of Queensland.

In building support for this cause, the folks at Variety have partnered again with Yamaha Motor Australia to sponsor the annual Yamaha Variety Jet Trek – a six-day long ride upon open oceans, stopping at some of Queensland’s most picturesque beaches and sharing the adventure with dozens of like-minded PWC enthusiasts.

Celebrating its 17th year, the Jet Trek asks participants (or “Trekkers”) to raise a minimum donation of $2500 to participate, as well as a $165 application fee. No, it’s not cheap, but it is worth it.

Here’s the original press release:

Over 60 Personal Water Crafts (PWC) and 150 participants (more than ever before!) have already signed up to the 2015 ‘Keppel to the Capital’ Yamaha Variety Jet Trek – an adrenalin packed adventure that kick starts in May. Positions are still available to join this once in a life time adventure!

Event organizers, Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland, is calling for any would-be PWC enthusiasts, long time ski experts or anyone in-between to contact the Variety Queensland office for more information about this 6 day, adrenalin packed adventure raising money for kids in need.

Participants, both new to the event and seasoned ‘Trekkers’ come from as far as Tasmania, Western Australia, Sydney and northern Queensland to participate in this unique event.

The Yamaha Variety Jet Trek is now in its 17th year, with the fun on the water, great locations traveled and meeting with the kids Variety is able to support through the ‘Trekkers’’ (as their affectionately known) fundraising efforts, listed as the reasons people keep coming back.

Every personal water craft that is on the water is followed by a road crew tracing along the coast line, loading the skis on and off the water at each over-night stop, making this event a great chance to get a group of mates or the family together to share the time on the water and in the car.

The trek will commence in Yeppoon on 4th May, travel over 600km north over 6 days, to arrive in Sanctuary Cove on the glorious Gold Coast for the finale on Saturday 9 May.

Participants will travel through towns and communities, visiting children and schools along the way and granting equipment, services and experiences to children who need it most. Towns include: Yeppoon, Agnes Water/ 1770, Bargara, Rainbow Beach, Caloundra and Sanctuary Cove.

The Yamaha Variety Jet Trek will again in 2015, raise thousands of dollars for Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland and their mission to empower kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs.

Every Trekker must raise a minimum, fully tax deductible donation of $2500 in order to participate in the event, as well as a $165 application fee and a provisions levy that is set closer to the date. Variety is on hand to offer advice and guidance to participants with their fundraising events that can vary from raffles, to barbeques, karaoke nights and bowls days.

For inquiries or to book a place on the adventure, please visit www.variety.org.au/qldjettrek, call 07 3907 9300 or email [email protected]