For many of us, being close to nature means going out for a hike or enjoying a day out on the nearest body of water. Taking a break from a normal day’s work to reconnect with the nature around us is a rewarding and relaxing experience, a much-needed pause for any individual.
For Vladislav “Vlad” Melnik, however, being close to nature means much, much more.
In a recent interview with Marianas Variety, Melnik recounts how his arrival in the Northern Mariana Islands in 2011 brought him a newfound passion for life by reconnecting to nature. Melnik reminisces about his childhood in Russia, where he spent his early years as an outdoorsman.
“I grew up in the mountains and nature. It was absolutely natural back in those days to play in the woods, go fishing, pick berries, mushrooms. You can feel it, it got deep under your skin — the knowledge, the skills,” he tells Marianas Variety.
It’s with this familiarity that he would rekindle his passion years later, arriving in the Northern Mariana Islands and making his home on the water.
After years of jet ski practice and ample preparation, Melnik decided to push himself further with two open sea voyages throughout the island territory. His first trip on August 4 from Saipan to Farallon De Medinilla totaled 60 miles or 100 kilometers of open sea travel. Eleven days later, he would complete another voyage from Saipan to Rota, a distance of around 80 miles or 130 kilometers. He made both excursions on his Sea-Doo GTX 300.
While Melnik made all the necessary preparations and was well-versed in the technical details (he maintained a steady pace of between 28-35 knots or 32-40 mph), to hear him tell it, his primary interest was the natural beauty he encountered along the way. He made special note of the importance of avoiding sea turtles, and his descriptions of the surrounding nature are filled with wonder.
He tells Marianas Variety, “You can see the beautiful formations, ridges, and holes, not from the [US Military’s] bombings, but from natural erosion. The wind and waves and everything made it a beautiful architectural work.” He paid special attention to photographing his surroundings along the way.
Check out the full article and interview by Andrew Roberto on Marianas Variety to learn more about Melnik’s journey.
Pro PWC Freestyler, entrepreneur, instructor, showman: Chris Anyzeski has all the bases covered, but even for him, the last few months have been noteworthy.
Greg Gaddis, host of “Greenhulk Garage” on YouTube, the most repeated guest at The Watercraft Journal IRL podcast, and the head salesman over at the Greenhulk Performance PWC Store, just let loose the dates for each of the three Mudbug PWC Nationals events for 2024.
His video is aimed at sharing the critical equipment that allows him to operate under acute pressure in his immensely demanding role at Jaws.
Nothin’ wrong with a little dirty fun – as long as you clean up nice!
Add in being strafed by a passing flock of seagulls (not the ones that ran so far away), the soda you spilled as you were locking down the ratchet straps before the trip, and the tree sap from the last boat ramp parking spot you lingered at, and you’ve got a mess to deal with. And that’s before you even peek in the engine bay where oils, fuel, grease, additives and more collect.
Foaming Shampoo & Salt Remover + Foaming Gun
The phrase “house calls” could easily be called an archaic term in the medical profession; in 2024, it is unlikely that the vast majority of people in the United States have ever experienced a doctor visiting their home to provide treatment. 
But in rural locations throughout the world, and especially in remote locations that make a doctor’s appointment more akin to a journey as opposed to a quick trip to town, local doctors like Dr. Keigo Yasukawa still makes house calls. Yasukawa just does it with a twist, or actually a squeeze … of the throttle, that is.
Not content with even that level of dedication to his patients and his community, Yzsukawa began hiring other doctors, who also visit the remote neighboring islands to provide essential medical services.
Running for another year under Title Sponsor 
For the final regular-season stop on the 2024 schedule, Pro Watercross returns to Lake Hartwell. A long-time favorite stop for racers, and a popular event for locals, the Lake Hartwell race was dropped from last year’s tour, but returns this year – although significantly later than the usual June slot. This year, Pro Watercross will pull into the Mega Ramp at Tugaloo State Park on Lake Hartwell in Georgia for an August 3-4 race. As this race is just minutes from this editor’s doorstep, I’m hoping to see good turnout, despite what appears to be some scheduling conflicts among tours!
Pro Watercross Unleashes a Wave of Excitement in its 29th Anniversary Season with the Thrilling LIQUI-MOLY Triple Crown presented by JetTrim.!