We received a press release from Melbourne, Australia’s Arrowvane about BRP and Australia’s Surf Life Saving program. Surf Life Saving has been in the business of saving lives since 1907.

BRP came on the scene in 2009 and helped them to enhance their lifesaving program with an awesome partnership. The company has provided almost $7 million worth of equipment to clubs and branches through grants and other sources.

“Like Surf Life Saving, BRP is constantly challenging itself in the area of innovation, and the new technologies they bring to the beach have a direct positive impact on our ability to protect and save lives,” said SLSA CEO Adam Weir.

Check out the full press release below:
From humble beginnings in 1907, the Surf Life Saving movement in Australia has grown to become an iconic organisation comprising over 190,000 members, all committed to keeping the beach-going public safe. It is now one of the largest volunteer emergency services groups anywhere in the world.

While the original surf lifesavers had little more than their own skill and determination to help those in trouble, Surf Life Saving has continued to move with the times and allow technology to advance its ability to save lives. This has included traditional patrolling from the beach to the use of rescue watercraft, and even our eyes in the sky, the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopters and drones in use today.

Since 2009, Surf Life Saving Australia’s partnership with Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has made a difference to countless families with their equipment allowing surf lifesavers to save thousands of lives.

Since the partnership commenced, more than $6.9 million worth of equipment has been provided to clubs and branches as well as the state and territory bodies, much of it via the annual BRP Equipment Grants.

Sea-Doo provides Surf Life Saving with a versatile, responsive rescue water craft that has become a key tool in patrolling the vast coastline and responding quickly in times of need to perform rescues in difficult-to-reach locations.

Can-Am Defenders are a reliable, dependable vehicle which allows surf lifesavers to move across the beach with ease and respond to incidents with essential lifesaving equipment.

The partnership with BRP has enabled Surf Life Saving to be better equipped to respond in times of need by ensuring volunteers on the front line have the right equipment to save lives.

“Like Surf Life Saving, BRP is constantly challenging itself in the area of innovation, and the new technologies they bring to the beach have a direct positive impact on our ability to protect and save lives,” said SLSA CEO Adam Weir.

“Surf Life Saving exists to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities, the support of BRP helps us to achieve our mission.

“Powercraft suited to recreation doesn’t always have the durability and functionality to be successfully used to save lives in a coast environment. BRP equipment allows surf lifesavers to be better equipped to respond in times of need, and in doing so, its equipment is a critical part of the iconic surf lifesaving patrols, and used by volunteer surf lifesavers around the country.

With around two-thirds of all rescues taking place outside the red and yellow flags, the importance of agile, fast watercraft is as important as ever to perform rescues, save lives, keep families whole which ensures a safer environment for the beach-going public.

Since officially launching on November 1st, 2013, The Watercraft Journal has risen to become the world’s most read, most referenced and most reliable resource for personal watercraft reviews; industry news; event and racing coverage; and otherwise all things personal watercraft (ie. PWC, jet ski) content. Together with its YouTube channel, WCJ welcomes a staggering 2.4 million enthusiasts annually, pushing this publication’s audience far beyond any industry title past or present.

From its outset, WCJ has been blessed with incredible staffers and contributors who have all brought their unique perspectives, interests and enthusiasm to the world’s only daily digital PWC magazine. These many voices have given the publication a wonderful “seasoning” that has appealed to a variety of readers. WCJ was never about one solitary voice or point-of-view but bringing in dozens upon dozens of voices to share a wider, more encompassing story about the sport and industry we love.

Today, The Watercraft Journal announces the addition of Jessica Waters to the team. Jessica has lent her talents as both a photographer and journalist to WCJ for several years, providing exceptional event coverage, racer interviews and more.

Her passion for the sport and particularly the people within it has been both her greatest asset and the driving force behind her contributions to WCJ (not to mention her skills as an action photographer and professional journalist).

As of today, Jessica’s role will focus primarily on maintaining The Watercraft Journal’s unbroken thread of providing daily articles pertaining to personal watercraft from around the PWC industry and world.

You will continue to see the same degree of content that has made WCJ the industry leader it is today. If you have inquiries pertaining to future event coverage, feature articles or other editorial or advertising opportunities should be sent to [email protected].

In late June of 2023, The Watercraft Journal published a review of Yamaha Motor’s far-reaching “2050 Environmental Plan” wherein the powersports manufacturer laid out of pathway to cutting 65-percent of total emissions produced by its product line by 2030.

Less than a week later, Yamaha Motor Corp. terminated its half-century-old snowmobile line and engine production. A little over a month later, Yamaha’s marine division revealed its new 1.9L High Output engine that included lead-free bearings and plant-based plastics.

While the new engine didn’t report lower fuel consumption rates – just better efficiency – it did bump base horsepower from 180 to 200, which enthusiasts happily accepted. Many expect a supercharged (SVHO) version of the new 1.9L shortly, although rumors of being non-compliant with several states’ emissions standards are swirling.

Nevertheless, Yamaha Motor Group is marching closer towards fulfilling its first primary objectives outlined in the 2050 Environmental Plan. As part of increasing the company’s ESG score (Environmental, Social & Governance), Yamaha’s “Sustainability Committee” just announced its new “Human Rights Policy.”

This announcement (attached below) does little more than parrot the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These are often referred to as “the International Covenants” – as stated in Section 3 of the Yamaha Motor Group Human Rights Policy – stating it upholds the standards for social contracts and global governance of said standards.

As a consumer of a company’s goods it’s important to know where said company is investing its resources; whether for future product development and improvements, or elsewhere. Ultimately, it’s up to the customer themselves to decide what they value most and if a company parallels similar values.

Here’s the original press release:
This is to inform you that Yamaha Motor Group has adopted a “Human Rights Policy” as of March 22, 2023, which is made available by CLICKING HERE.

Our corporate mission is to be a “Kando Creating Company” and one of our management principles is to fulfill social responsibilities globally. In order to realise these missions and responsibilities, Yamaha Motor Group places importance on sustainable social development through business activities based on our corporate philosophy. Respect for human rights is one of the most important issues for this purpose.

In our Sustainability Basic Policy, which is made available by CLICKING HERE, Yamaha Motor Group has committed that we will “respect human rights, will not discriminate, and will not use child labour or carry out forced labour under any form”. In 2017, Yamaha Motor Group signed on to the UN Global Compact advocated by the United Nations and continues to support the principles related to human rights and labour therein.

Our new “Human Rights Policy” further solidifies our commitment towards human rights and sets out various measures that Yamaha Motor Group will implement, including governance, due diligence, grievance system and corrective actions, education and training, reporting and disclosure, and dialogue with stakeholders. To achieve these commitments and goals, we also ask our business partners to understand and support this policy and its activities.

As part of the implementation phase, for example, Yamaha Motor Group may ask for your cooperation in conducting risk assessment and due diligence, corrective actions, training, and other aspects of this policy. This may also include the newly added Human Rights Clause in our business contract. We thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Yamaha Motor Group is committed to upholding this “Human Rights Policy” and its underlying principles, and thank all of our business partners for your shared commitment in this regard.

Yours sincerely,
Yoshihiro Hidaka
Chief Executive Officer
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

Tom Okamoto
Managing Director
Yamaha Motor Australia Pty. Ltd.

A little over two weeks ago, The Watercraft Journal published a short recap of of class action lawsuit filed by Mitchell Higgins against Yamaha Motor Company, USA. The lawsuit itself addressed three significant issues that consumers have found pertaining to all Yamaha FX WaveRunners; the Connext dashboard software resetting the trip and fuel consumption data at every restart; the inconsistent metering of the low fuel alarm; and the rider’s inability to extinguish said alarm while underway.

While our article points out several key features of the lawsuit that will likely keep it from ever gaining any traction in a serious court of law (the damages listed are “annoyance” and “inability to enjoy my watercraft”, as well as Higgins personally seeking $5 million dollars), the issues with the vehicle itself remain valid. Publishing the article spurred thousands of replies and responses and encouraged many to share their experiences with these same issues.

One such reply was Mississippi Ski Riders (MSSR) who pieced together this incredibly well-made documentation of all three of the above listed complaints in this single video (featured below). Although The Watercraft Journal strongly recommends that riders never run their PWC dry (to the point of fuel starvation) for fear of overheating the in-tank fuel pump, MSSR does properly document full range in optimal conditions and the corresponding behaviors of the Yamaha. See below:

Yamaha WaveRunner Racing’s Dustin Farthing and Tory Snyder pinned down the 1-2 slots, respectively, in the AquaX Pro Enduro tour standings after last weekend’s Championships in Kissimmee, Florida.

Farthing’s claim to the top tour standing, in tandem with Yamaha FX SVHO racer Chris McCluggage’s place on the top podium spot for the fourth and final round of the tour, keeps Yamaha’s winning streak alive, as Yamaha has not lost a weekend overall or tour championship in the modern P1 AquaX Pro Enduro racing era.

To add to the Yamaha domination, Round 4 was a hat-trick for for Yamaha riders, with Deven Farthing (2) and Dustin Farthing (3) joining McCluggage (1) on the podium. 

Read the full press release below:
Yamaha WaveRunner Racing dominated the P1 AquaX Pro Enduro Championships held this weekend in Kissimmee, Florida, with Dustin Farthing and Tory Snyder finishing 1-2 in the tour standings, respectively.

Yamaha FX SVHO® rider Chris McCluggage, who began the season on a Sea-Doo RXP®-X but returned to the Yamaha FX SVHO, won the fourth and final round of the tour, with Farthing Racing’s Deven Farthing and Dustin Farthing completing the Round 4 podium sweep.

The tour title and Round 4 win keep Yamaha’s unbeaten streak in P1 AquaX Pro Enduro Racing alive. Yamaha has not lost a weekend overall or tour championship in the modern P1 AquaX Pro Enduro racing era.

“We couldn’t be more excited and proud of Dustin and Tory for their dedication this summer,” said Yamaha WaveRunner Racing team manager Bryce Parker. “Farthing Racing and Snyderbuilt Racing did a great job prepping their Yamaha racecraft week after week, and they proved again that the FX SVHO and the GP SVHO™️ are the fastest and most reliable PWC in Pro Enduro open ocean racing.” 

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is rapidly expanding its ability to test the durability and longevity of its marine division products (boats, outboards and personal watercraft) with the recent purchase of Fort George Island Marina in Duval County, FL. Yamaha is currently renovating the 36,500sq. foot warehouse into a state-of-the-art testing center granting the manufacturer quick and easy access to corrosive salt water environments to better test and develop new product.

This also comes shortly after Yamaha completed the expansion of its freshwater facility in Bridgeport, Alabama, increasing the facility’s footprint with an additional 5,900sq. feet of office space and 8,000 feet of storage and testing center – in addition to its massive 75,280sq. foot Marine Innovation Center in Kennesaw, GA. All of this ensures that Yamaha is marching forward to produce a new generation of environmentally responsible, and globally sustainable products.

Here’s the original press release:
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA has purchased Fort George Island Marina in Duval County, Florida, with the intention of converting the existing facility into the Yamaha Offshore Endurance Center (YOEC), which will serve as a testing center for Yamaha Marine products including outboards, sport boats, and WaveRunners®. The new YOEC includes a 36,500-square-foot warehouse and marina building as well as a 7,200-square-foot office and event space.

“The YOEC compliments our test centers in Alabama and Kennesaw while adding greater capacity and capability. It also supports Yamaha Marine’s global testing plans by expanding opportunities to develop products,” said Ben Speciale, President, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit.

“The environment provided by this location will allow us to focus on durability and reliability testing for larger engines, systems, and boat hull designs in an offshore environment. It will also include an immersive team center designed to inspire future engineering talent.”

Earlier this year, Yamaha completed the expansion of its freshwater test facility in Bridgeport, Alabama, adding 5,900 square feet of office space and 8,000 square feet of labs and storage. In addition, Yamaha recently finalized the construction of a new Marine Innovation Center in Kennesaw, Georgia, a 75,280 square foot facility that now houses the Yamaha Marine Connected Division as well as Yamaha U.S. Marine Development, Yamaha Marine Product Management, and Yamaha Marine Technical Marketing.

Yamaha plans to begin renovations on the saltwater test facility in Duval County in the third quarter of 2023.

In a September 15^th press release, Liqui Moly returns as the title sponsor to the LIQUI MOLY International Cup in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This is an official Pro Watercross event that will take place from September 28^th through October 1^st.

“We’re exceptionally pleased to continue partnering with Pro Watercross by sponsoring the 2023 International Cup,” said Gary Driver, LIQUI MOLY business manager – marine for USA and Canada. “It’s an organization that emphasizes performance without sacrificing fun and safety.”

Read the full press release below.
LIQUI MOLY USA, global leader in engine lubricants and fuel additives, returns as the title sponsor to the 2023 LIQUI MOLY International Cup. An official Pro Watercross event, the Lake Havasu City, Arizona personal watercraft (PWC) competition runs from September 28 through October 1.

The prestigious event draws spectators from around the world. Racers will compete in 35 different classes with purses ranging up to $12,000. On Saturday, September 30, CBS Sports will be on hand to capture the action and provide LIQUI MOLY with extensive brand coverage. The event’s website iswww.prowatercross.org/lh.

The nation’s leading sanctioning body and race organizer for PWC, SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) and HydroFlight competition, Pro Watercross is a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to environmental and safety education and family-friendly competition. At the 2023 LIQUI MOLY International Cup, Junior Class racers aged 8-9 can participate in a time trial-based event.

“We’re exceptionally pleased to continue partnering with Pro Watercross by sponsoring the 2023 International Cup,” said Gary Driver, LIQUI MOLY business manager – marine for USA and Canada. “It’s an organization that emphasizes performance without sacrificing fun and safety.”

Recognized worldwide for its support of everything from auto, motorcycle and PWC racing to professional bass fishing and World Cup skiing, the LIQUI MOLY brand is synonymous with performance at the highest level. The company formulates and manufactures a complete range of lubricants and additives to work with virtually every boat or vehicle engine built in the last 50 years. A searchable database is at www.bit.ly/LiquiMolyOilGuide.

Quick! What year is it? If you weren’t paying attention you might think you had suddenly been warped a decade or two back in time as two of the sport’s most successful professional racers for the last 30-plus years battled for top billing at this past weekend’s the final round of the P1 AquaX National Championships in St. Cloud, Florida.

MacClugage self-sponsored this season’s racing efforts as a show of force against others better equipped and funded. Beginning the season aboard a Sea-Doo RXP-X 300, Macc procured a Dean’s Team-tuned FX SVHO to finish out the series.

Macc fought back father-and-son duo Dustin and Deven Farthing, trading podium positions the whole weekend – both of whom also rode Yamaha SVHO-powered WaveRunners, giving the brand an impressive clean sweep of the championship for yet another consecutive weekend.

While the veteran Monster Energy racer enjoyed this weekend’s win, fellow Monster rider, Dustin Farthing earned the series’ points total to earn him the season’s championship – besting rising youth talents Camden Powell, Tory Snyder and even his own son, Deven.

As part of the Yamaha Blue Life Series, Yamaha puts the spotlight on Hurtgruten Expeditions. This is a hardcore expedition group who needs equipment that can handle the extreme conditions of a destination like Antarctica. Equipment must be reliable and earth friendly, Yamaha Outboards meet those demands.

They use the Yamaha 60-horsepower, four stroke outboard motors to power their fleet of Rigid Inflatable Boats. With Antarctica being a remote and rugged destination, additional gear and extra planning are required so they carry a lot of motors. Hence the 55 Yamaha F60s on its three larger ships, with two ships carrying 20 Yamaha F60 outboards aboard and one ship holding 15 motors.

“When we are in Antarctica, we must be self-sufficient and self-reliant. Reliability is absolutely key. We have to trust our equipment to take care of us just as our passengers trust us to take care of them,” said Karin Strand, Vice President of Development. “Planning is critical, but you cannot plan for every situation. There are no ‘repair shops’ around so we have to be prepared and we need to have confidence in our equipment.”

Hurtgruten Expeditions has been using Yamaha power since 2002 for their journeys and are super happy with the motor’s reliability. The guys know they will always make it back to their ships when taking groups out a on the RIBs to explore. Hurtgruten Expeditions offers trips for adventurers and those who want to try new things.

The Hurtgruten company integrates sustainability and education to make for a more fulfilling experience and to give people a deeper understanding of nature. For more information and a complete list of Hurtigruten Expeditions destinations, visit www.hurtigruten.com.