In our near year’s worth of publishing The Watercraft Journal, we’ve been very blessed to welcome advertising partners who have reached out to us first. These companies have shown their marketing prowess by recognizing the branding abilities only available through the Internet’s ONLY daily personal watercraft magazine. The newest of these savvy companies is EZ Throttle. Hailing from Stuart, Florida, EZ Throttle manufacturers the industry’s most ergonomic throttle extension lever.
Taking less than a minute to install, the EZ Throttle slips over all Yamaha and Kawasaki personal watercraft, as well as all X-Series and iTC-equipped Sea-Doos (more specifically, Sea-Doos featuring finger throttles). The EZ Throttle allows you to ride all day long without the usual fatigue you get using the same one or two fingers all day, but your whole hand! Not only does it improve your grip, but permits for greater leverage for precise throttle control while towing tubes, skiers or skaters!
EZ Throttle’s non-slip, easy-grip throttle extension features a full-hand molded grip simply slides over your throttle and is tightened down to a supplied backing plate with two Allen screws. A pair of set screws allow you to adjust the position of the EZ Throttle to your OEM trigger. You’ll see some great reviews and product testing on the EZ Throttle from us at The Watercraft Journal soon, so make sure to stay tuned!
Of course, boater safety courses (which are soon to become mandatory in California) aren’t anything new, and are regularly held throughout Australia. Our Brothers in The Land of OZ know all about ’em, and have made it a point to help encourage responsible boating practices by promoting such classes. One outfit is our favorite Melbourne one-stop-shop for all things PWC, Diptech Performance!
In addition to providing PWC enthusiasts the best in customer service, performance tech and riding equipment and apparel, Diptech regularly hosts safe boating courses – nearly once a month, and the next session isn’t too far away; this upcoming Thursday 23rd October at 6pm, which coincidentally, will be the last course Diptech will be hosting before the Melbourne Cup weekend. Riders looking to participate need to complete the official course to receive their license. There are still some spots left, so call to reserve a place 8401 3956. The cost is $120 cash on the night, so be ready.
Backflips were once the single-most impressive and difficult to execute tricks in all of freestyle. Preparing an engine with enough low end torque and a lightweight machine to be able to snap out of the water with enough force to rotate itself and the ride a full 360 degrees was possibly one of the biggest challenges apart from training the athlete enough to pull it off.
Today, modern freestyle skis are almost pre-programmed to whip out consecutive backflips with the greatest of ease. Modern lightweight engines erupt with insatiable amounts of torque, launching lightweight aftermarket skis (rife with billet aluminum and carbon fiber components) high into the air with just the flick of the throttle. If you like backflips, expect to see at least a dozen of them in nearly every freestyle routine.
That’s why we gotta love Lee Stone. Clearly fed up with so many dishing out repetitive backflips throughout their routines, Stone snapped off a dozen or so backflips, but landing each one standing on one foot as if to say, “You like backflips? Here, chew on these!” But if Stone’s IJSBA World Championship freestyle routine wasn’t enough to wow you (make sure you read about his crowd-pleasing heel-clicker backflip), Stone also went about shattering the current world record for consecutive backflips.
The final participant in the Macc Racing Flip Off, Stone needed to surpass Texan Jace Forest’s final count of 24 flips. It was a steep order to fill and many feared that the afternoon’s winds whipping up the lake would make it too difficult to surpass. Undaunted, Stone set a course for well past the flag tower, and continued snapping off repetitive backflips until finally stopping at a dizzying total of 36.
The effort earned Stone the grand prize of $2,000 presented by Hydro-Turf and Macc Racing, and a spot in the latest copy of Guinness World Records. Don’t believe it? Watch the video below:
The only tools needed were a Philips-head screwdriver and an electric drill with a 1/2-inch drill bit.
It’s only a matter of time before Ride Power USA’s design for a cell phone charger is as commonplace on modern personal watercraft as folding swim steps and tilt steering.
Considering not only the convenience but safety and potential life saving qualities of having a plug-in-ready phone charger on personal watercraft, it’s actually surprising Ride Power USA has gone so long unchallenged by the OEMs thus far.
Choosing to perform a review (and obviously an installation) of Ride Power USA’s Android Phone Charger was a no-brainer from the minute we discovered the brand’s easy-to-install system.
The simplistic design is so straightforward that the only reason it took us longer than the suggest hour to installation was because we needed to photo-document the process. In all honesty, it took us less than an hour, including the time to toss in a few cosmetic additions.
The Ride Power USA phone charger kit is available in 3.5-foot for Androids, and 4-feet for iPhones 4 and 5.Step One when always working on your PWC is to disconnect the battery.The Android plug required the large 1/2-inch bit. The angle isn’t perfect from this position, but works.The hole provides us a direct shot to the positive battery terminal, allowing for a very clean and uncomplicated installation.Although not part of the Ride Power USA kit, we found this two-piece grommet to help seal up the hole we made in the glove box. Cheap rubber grommet kits can be found at any auto parts store.Feeding the cord through the hole, the grommet helped seal up the hole we made with the drill and holds the wire in place.The Quick Disconnect plugs into the battery tender with an easy snap. We coiled up the extra cord footage with a black zip tie.We grounded our phone charger to the bottom of the Sea-Doo RXP battery bracket and attached the positive to the battery terminal.With our battery’s positive terminal reconnected, the Ride Power USA phone charger is live and ready to work. The ease of the installation definitely earned the kit some serious points.
Priced at $69, the Ride Power USA kit can be as expensive as a full tank of fuel at your local dockside fuel pump, but given how often we bring our phones with us – be it for pictures, GPS mapping or just never being able to go anywhere without our smart phones – the purchase was worth every penny.
Being that the charger is “live” there is a threat of wearing down your battery if you leave your phone plugged in all day with the ski off – but again, that’s no different than with an aftermarket stereo system. We definitely recommend this kit and want to suggest that the OEMs pay attention to this awesome innovation.
Big thanks go to Matt Lackore and the use of his immaculate Sea-Doo RXP 215.
Well, if you weren’t at this year’s 2014 Jettribe IJSBA World Finals then you missed out on a lot more than being witness to some of the most exciting personal watercraft racing (but more on that in a second). Factory Yamaha’s Aero Aswar earned his win in Pro Stock and Yousef Alabdulrazzaq in Pro Limited Runabout classes. Joining the two Dean’s Team racers were wins in Women’s Runabout, Runabout Open Slalom, Expert Runabout Veterans, Expert Runabout, and Amateur Runabout, making the weekend definitely something for Yamaha WaveRunners to be proud of.
In addition to bringing home a lot of hardware for the brand with the tuning forks, Yamaha was on site in a big, big way with a whole corner of the midway dedicated to the brand, showing off the new RiDE dual-throttle braking and reverse system as well as the return of the last remaining two-stroke watercraft in the industry, the SuperJet.
For those on hand, special fliers were available offering an amazing $1,000 off on the purchase of any 2014 or 2013 SuperJet between October 4th through the 31st of this year. Although the coupon states that it must be present at time of purchase to present the special code printed on the back (code: C2-N2M), we’re hoping dealers will be willing to let it slide just this one time. (Oh, and the offer isn’t valid in either New York or California because those states are jerks.)
Finally, Yamaha is launching it’s all-new ShopYamaha.com e-commerce website for all of you looking to score on some seriously cool Yamaha gear before anybody else. The new site is, according to the press release, “the newest way for you to browse and purchase Yamaha accessories and apparel online. Find every day essentials like dock lines and anchors along with knee and wakeboards. Plus Genuine Yamaha covers to protect your baby this off-season.”
On September 18, 2014, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill No. 941 which, by 2018, will require California boaters (including PWC operators) to pass a safety course and obtain a vessel operator card.
According to SB 941 legislation, the new vessel operator cards will be issued to California residents upon passing an examination, for a fee of $30, and will be “valid for the life of the person to whom it is issued.” After the January 1, 2018 deadline, boaters/riders cited in violation of the requirement will be subjected to a $100 initial fine and ordered to immediately obtain a valid vessel operator card. Subsequent violations incur progressively stiffer penalties – up to $500 on the third citation.
In its first year, only first-time boaters 20 years of age and younger will be required to possess the certification. However an ascending schedule will be implemented in years following that will eventually require all boaters, regardless of age, to acquire an operator card by January 1, 2025.
Fortunately, those operating a rental vessel, competing in an organized race event, or under direct supervision of a vessel card-carrying adult, need not obtain the operator card. Further, those visiting from other states or foreign countries (for a maximum of 60 or 90 days, respectively) are also exempt, provided they meet the applicable requirements, if any, of their home state or country.
Until now, California stood as one of only five states (including Alaska, Arizona, South Dakota and Wyoming) that did not require any certification or licensing to operate a motor-driven watercraft; any person age twelve or older could legally operate a boat or personal watercraft in California’s waterways. Recent support from select law enforcement agencies, private business owners, and pro-regulation coverage from news agencies in Northern California (statistically the most dangerous of California’s waters) lent momentum to the bill originally introduced in February by Senators Bill Monning and Mark DeSaulnier.
Those lobbying for more stringent boating regulations have cited recent U.S. Coast Guard data showing California as the nation’s number two most dangerous state for boaters, with about 2,775 boating accidents between 2007 and 2012, placing behind Florida’s 3,800-plus incidents. According to data from the California Division of Boating and Waterways (published in an investigative article on NBCBayArea.com), the vast majority of these collisions are caused by operators not paying attention and lack of education, compared to the fraction of such incidents caused by alcohol or drug use.
Opposition to stricter regulations has been strong in years past, with former California Governor Gray Davis vetoing a very similar bill in 1999, arguing that “there may well be reasonable measures we can adopt to enhance the safety of boat operators, but unfortunately this bill will not accomplish that goal. There is little evidence that a written test alone will improve the piloting skills of motor boat operators or reduce boating accidents. Until such evidence is brought forth, I do not believe it is appropriate to require millions of Californians who enjoy boating as recreation to run the gauntlet of yet another government bureaucracy to obtain licenses to pilot their boats.”
As the 2018 deadline draws near, California residents can expect to receive literature from the state with information on obtaining the vessel operator card. Examinations are expected to be offered both in-person through approved course providers, and (thankfully) via Internet through the division’s website.
One of the many highlights from the weekend’s event was JetPilot’s “Battle of the Best” showdown. With many of the pros pushing themselves to the limit executing flawless tricks, massive airs and huge carves, it was Southern California’s Mark Gomez who proved unstoppable, besting the likes of Brandon Lawlor and Pierre Maixent, and took out the title of Jet Pilots’ Best of the Best.
The Watercraft Journal had an exclusive opportunity to chat with Mark after his ride, telling us, “That was the best I have ever rode in my life.” Although the contention was tight, Gomez reigned supreme, leaving second place to Mick Anthony and a close third to Pierre. Below is a short but sweet recap of Gomez’s domination and some of the amazing aerial action that transpired at Cronulla. Enjoy the short video below, and make sure to read the full recap from this year’s Rip N’ Ride HERE.
Y’know what the biggest problem is with personal watercraft racing? OK, OK, there’s a few things, but one major issue is getting the action in front of spectators and the mastermind behind the Hydrocross Watercraft Racing Tour, Brent Venderley has figured it out! New for 2015, the Hydrocross Watercraft Racing Tour will be adding two new venues to their traditional closed course racing schedule: PWC Arena Racing.
The inaugural event, scheduled for March 2015, the “Naples Grand Prix, Power Sports Festival” will be held at the Florida Sports Park in Naples, FL. The first race of the 2015 season will be the IJSBA sanctioned showdown held in 8000 seat, enclosed outdoor arena ideal for spectators who want to be close to the racing action at all times.
According to Brent’s original announcement, “There is a paved food vendor alley, vendor areas for Powersports displays, dedicated racers pits, stage in front of the main grandstand for awards and racers meet and greet, a 7000+ square foot air conditioned pavilion with a stage… and much more!
“Originally built for swamp buggy racing, the Florida Sports Park is the perfect venue for an arena (SuperCross) style watercraft racing event. It will include Closed Course racing, Hydrodrag racing and Freestyle in the evening in front of the main grandstand’s stage and under the lights!”
The all-new Hydrocross Tour will include IJSBA-sanctioned classes for Pro and Amateur Runabout and Ski, Sport, Freestyle, Amateur runabout horsepower based classes, and the fastest PWCs on the water… the Hydrodrags! Wait, what? That’s right, kiddies. The HydroDrags are coming to arena racing!
Not only that, but super-exciting HydroDrags will be joining the Hydrocross for 2015. Brent wrote in an announcement, “We are excited and thankful to Mike for giving us the opportunity to take the Hydrodrag Series to the next level. We are passionate about Watercraft Racing and share in everyone’s vision of where we all want this sport to go. The entire Hydrocross team is looking forward to implementing many of the ideas the racers and the PWC industry are looking for, and that will put Hydrocross Closed Course Racing, PWC Arena Racing and the Hydrodrags among the top watercraft series in the world!
“A full schedule of the 2015 Hydrodrag Series events, along with dates for all Hydrocross Racing events is coming soon. In the meantime, you will able to stay up to date on what’s happening by visiting www.hydrodragseries.com as we build the website, and by staying in touch with all the excitement via Facebook and Twitter @hydrodrags.”
All of us at The Watercraft Journal are excited about Brent’s efforts for 2015 and are happy to commit to covering all of the upcoming HydroDrag and Hydrocross arena events. Together with Pro Hydro-X, we will be offering live streaming links throughout race day to keep you all up on the action. Of course, there’s plenty of good news to come before March, so stay tuned!
The gods of personal watercraft giveth and the gods of personal watercraft taketh away. Two days ago, The Watercraft Journal was excited to announce how BRP, through their BRP Powercraft Equipment Grant, has recommitted to supporting Surf Life Saving (SLS) in its effort to improve emergency response along Australia’s coastlines. By providing SLS with a state-of-the-art Sea-Doo GTI personal watercraft, Can-Am off-road vehicles and even Evinrude outboard engines for their boats.
Unfortunately, that brand-new GTI Rescue craft was recently involved in an accident where a female volunteer sped through a no-wake zone, racing past families on PWC and boats and narrowly missing fellow SLS lifesavers standing on a floating dock who were on-site to oversee the rescue of a sunken jet boat. The SLS volunteer, aboard the recently acquired Sea-Doo ran the ski squarely into the dock, ramping it up and out of the water and bringing it to a halt.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt and the volunteer was taken by EMTs to the hospital for shock. Authorities are investigating whether the matter was due to a “mechanical issue,” but the video below clearly shows the volunteer piloting the Sea-Doo with her left arm dangling straight down only seconds before colliding with the dock. Of course, this flies in the face of Sea-Doo’s entire intent of the iBR system, wherein riders will never have to remove take their hands from the handlebars. Clearly, this volunteer didn’t grasp the concept.
The Colwyn Jet Ski Club, based at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay [a “seaside resort in Conwy County Borough on the north coast of Wales overlooking the Irish Sea,” according to a 4-second Google search – Ed.] have recently been recognized by the prestigious Royal Yachting Association as a Personal Watercraft Training Centre.
This will allow the Jetski club to train members and non-members at the Porth Eirias site. The one-day course will teach how to use a personal watercraft (PW) safely, responsibly and with confidence, ensuring the rider gets the best out of the craft. Weather, safety and courtesy to others, launching and familiarization, personal watercraft handling, emergencies, rules of the road, essential navigation, recovery and aftercare will all be covered which in turn should make the rider more proficient and safer with other water users and Self-sufficient in good conditions, aware of limitations of themselves and their PWC.
Six members of the Colwyn Jet Ski Club, including four living in North Wales, have also recently successfully completed five days of training with the RYA to all achieve Personal Watercraft Instructor status.
The club, formed in 1996, meet every Sunday at the Porth Eirias slipway between Easter and October with members not only from North Wales but traveling from all over the North West and as far down as the Potteries. The Clubs RYA Coordinator, Jakki Bates said, “We hope to start the first Personal Watercraft Proficiency courses next year. With Colwyn Bay Promenade undergoing such dramatic changes these are really exciting times for the Club and Porth Eirias and we look forward to Easter when the season starts again.”
[If you want your PWC club mentioned in The Watercraft Journal, feel free to email us any upcoming events or club news at [email protected] – Ed.]
