It would be extremely difficult to say what success looks like – what physical manifestation it would take. The same can be said of talent, and of ingenuity — of persistence and indomitable determination. This is especially true in the context of a culture like that of PWC racing, where excellence is often a baseline assumption, and achievements just build from there. But if you ask just about anyone in the PWC racing world — and many even outside that race family — they will likely tell you that one name encompassed every one of those characteristics, and one man mastered each of those traits, and more — Dean Charrier.
It would take paragraphs — no, pages — to list all of Dean Charrier’s accomplishments, and to do justice to a biography that spans three decades of PWC race mastery. As a post on Deans Team Racing’s Instagram stated just three weeks ago, “ This year marks 30 for racing for Dean Charrier & Deans Team! Through thousands of motos and hundreds of racers, Dean has had his hands on more PWC than anyone. From the 2 stroke days with less than 800cc engines to work with, to the new age with 1900cc+ machines, Dean has won with each and every model he’s worked with along the way.”
In the words of Yamaha officials, Charrier was a “legendary figure in the world of personal watercraft racing and the driving force behind Dean’s Team Racing. Dean was instrumental in Yamaha’s WaveRunner racing success for over a decade, partnering with us beginning in 2009 to develop high-performance racecraft that would go on to dominate national and international competitions. His unmatched expertise as a tuner and mentor helped Yamaha secure its first Pro Runabout Open National Title in 2010, followed by a series of championship wins across multiple classes. Dean played a key role in testing and refining Yamaha’s supercharged 1,812 cc engine and was pivotal in the early success of the FX SVHO platform, helping riders reach speeds and handling standards once thought impossible.”
Given not only his unbeatable skills and expertise, but the close relationship he shared with so many, and the countless racers he helped through the decades, there is no question the PWC community collectively reeled when, on June 6, Charrier’s family posted that Dean had suffered a massive heart attack, and was, at that time, in an induced coma as doctors fought for his life. Well-wishes, prayers and memories flooded the various social media platforms, and stories of Dean’s unquestioned mastery when it came to tuning and engineering – and winning.
If thoughts, prayers, well-wishes and love could determine fate, the news that came just a few days later would have not carried the message that it did — but on Friday, Dean’s family, the race family, and the community at large lost a legend.
Once again, posts flooded social media as sorrow, prayers of comfort for Dean’s family blended with memories, success stories, anecdotes and smiles at the legacy that Dean Charrier left behind.
We, at The Watercraft Journal, join the PWC world in sending Dean’s family our love and wishes for comfort, and share in community-wide memory of the contributions he made to this sport and industry – and we know that our words would fall short of paying due tribute — so we leave those words to others:
Mikey Young wrote:
My heart breaks for the Dean Charrier family. Dean was that guy that made us better as an individual, friend, and turned it up a notch when it came to racing. A great husband, father, and friend, to all of us. God bless the family as they go through this very sad time.
Brian Smith wrote:
Where do I begin?? Where Do we all??
Well….A lot of people have said so much and I know we all have shed tears and ALL the good times food us all we remember and will never forget!
Being able to work alongside the best in the world as well as have you in my corner for a couple of races and top 3 championships has me k owing how lucky I was to have that friendship and expertise provided to me!
I learned so much by just watching and listening to what you would do and it’s not even a hair of knowledge one could imagine you had in that vast mind of yours!!
We would sit and giggle and laugh sometimes at races messing with Abdullah, Chris or whoever may have been the one we were targeting and most of the time they never even knew wtf was going on!!
From you telling people “listen..” and best part was I’d be damned if they would stop and listen no matter what even if you were mumbling we’d figure it out.
I will surely miss seeing you at world finals and getting that goofy look everytime we’d meet up and that crushing BIG DEAN handshake!
I remember one time you turned around and hugged me when Chris absolutely destroyed the field and won a title at Havasu!! We both felt the passion for what we love and those we do for and help! I’ll never ever forget that bear hug from you!
That was a special one! Thank you for everything Dean!!! So happy to have been a part of Dean’s Team Racing… Till we meet again Ice cream man…. Love you dean!!! The entire family is deeply in my thoughts and prayers…gotta go dry my eyes now…
Jennifer Nolan wrote:
Dean Charrier, we are going to miss you so much Over the years we became family, and you truly were, and will always be one of my favorite people! I can’t begin to thank you enough for everything you did for my husband Victor Nolan and I when it came to jet ski racing. Your unwavering support, kindness, and the way you believed in us is definitely was a huge part of our success.
One of my favorite memories was when we were at your house for Dustin’s 21st birthday. You were so excited when that frozen drink/margarita machine was delivered lol! That weekend you and Donna treated us to our first crawfish boil, and Britney and I bonded and have felt like sisters ever since. You were so supportive when we had our son Maximus, and you always called to check on him and follow up with his motorcycle racing.
I’m going to miss your random phone calls filling me in on all the jet ski drama, and whatever new engine modification you were working on, even though half the time I had no clue what you were talking about lol! I would give anything to just talk to you on the phone one last time. Rest easy Dean, aka Papa Bear, aka the Jet Ski Whisperer. We love you and will miss you dearly, until we meet again.
Christopher Landis wrote:
Man, this really sucks. Even though I competed and raced against his riders/skis, Dean always was there to congratulate me and always lend a hand if I needed it. When I went pro in 2019 he was the first person outside of my team to reach out to me and say that I could do it and belonged in the top 5. That meant alot to me that he would even think of me and go out of his way to message me.
This really hits hard for me, my family, and the Riva Family. The industry is going to feel a big hole from this one but his imprint will last forever. Make sure you hug your dads a little extra from now on. My heart and thoughts are with the Charrier family.
Dustin Farthing wrote:
RIP Dean Charrier and my thoughts go out to the entire family. He and I would always talk shit at the races or if we got on the phone. I always laughed with him or Bill Chapin would call because I knew for the next hour I’d be on the phone. We both knew healthy competition is what pushed the sport. We always raced against each other but always gave me a compliment no matter the outcome. I can’t imagine what the family is feeling but I can guarantee they can see how much he meant to everyone’s life he touched. Dustin Charrier hug your family and know that you guys meant the world to him.
Sophie Francis wrote:
Heaven just got hell of a lot faster. Genuinely lost for words with this one. Thank you Dean Charrier for winning me my first EVER World title. That I will never ever forget. Thank you for making Eric Francis last ever race to remember with his dominated win. Thank you for everything you’ve done for this sport. Your legacy will live on through us all. Party hard up there with E.
Deven Farthing wrote:
RIP Dean Charrier, Thank you for all you did for me throughout the years, no matter what, you were always looking to help out. You were a big reason for my success my first year in P1 and gave me the opportunity to race my very first closed course runabout race. Never once with you did I have a bad result, and I’ll forever be thankful for all we got to achieve together.
Dom Lopinto wrote:
Back in 2015 when I got into fast skis I called you so many times I felt bad. But everytime you where so helpful and such a pleasure to talk to.
In one of our conversations I said im going on vacation to Florida and before I could finish you said “come by the shop” so you bet your ass we went 2 hrs in the total opposite direction so I can meet the man him self of Dean’s Team Racing after hanging out for a while you said “want to come by the house” and dam right we did. Spent hours talking skis and managed to talk about horse and life lol.
The ski community is truly a different group. You’re friends with people all over the country/world all chasing that mph and today we lost one of the best.
We will remember you forever bud. Rip
Rachel MacClugage wrote:
It’s very hard to put into words what I want to say. Dean worked with Chris for many years they accomplished multiple championships together.
Dean loved his family more than anything in this world . He adored his grandchildren, they clearly brought him so much happiness & joy!
Dean loved animals, he told me the story of the little pony they had who sadly passed after an accident, as he told me tears filled his eyes.
My heart goes out to Donna, I know how much you loved each other. Britney & Dustin your Dad was very proud of you both, I’m truly sorry for your loss.
He was a hero to so many.
Jordan JJ McLean wrote:
Mr. Dean, thank you for the opportunity to live and achieve my childhood dream of becoming a World Champion. It wasn’t easy but you pushed me all the way to Pro Limited after losing out by close margins on World Titles in 2010 and another in 2011 in Expert Limited. Thank you for taking me in as a son, I held that in high regard – more than all of the trophies we won together.
You were my father figure away from home, you stood for what you believed in while carrying the experience of all you been through to make sure Dustin and I kept on the right path racing and in our personal lives. I will never forget all the good times on tour, road trips, dinners, Tonka hangs and howls, Crawfish cook ups, countless amount of good times and jokes.
Thanks for taking the time to be there for me, I will forever cherish the last two hour phone call we had about life, racing and everything else two weeks ago. I wish I told you about a surprise I had coming for you on that call.
I will hold on to some of your favorite skis that you built and gave me the opportunity to own. I appreciate the times you put full trust in me to tune, showing me steps along the way knowing I would never share copies of your tunes and files with anyone. You changed the whole racing scene in Cayman and all over the world, majority of the times they had to join us to beat us.
I was excited to see you so happy when I won 2023 Jet Around Cayman, I will keep the memories, phone calls and messages close. Sorry I couldn’t get it on the Turbo FX. I will one day for you. Can’t wait to ride and race the other Turbo FX you made sure I got. Thank you so much for everything legend!!
Life and racing will never be the same for me without your invaluable support. You lived a life so many could only dream of. Truly the greatest of all time!! I love you and miss you.
My deepest condolences to my Charrier family. Mrs. Donna, Dustin and Brit. Always will be here for you all no matter what. Any day, anytime, anywhere
Paul Lehr Jr. wrote:
I worked with Dean often as he came thru Tech. The Tru professional and Gentleman! Always did it right, never any “Grey area” always Clean. Met with a Hand Shake and politely asked what I would like to see. No gruff or Bad words. Straight forward respect.
I sat with him at an after party one race weekend in Canada. We just talked, mainly about life and family. He was genuine.
Rest in Pease Dean Charrier ! God bless you and your family. Such a loss to the race community. Your Legacy will remain forever!
Abdullah Al-Fadhel wrote:
Rest in Peace, Dean Charrier
Today, I lost more than a coach — I lost someone who felt like a father to me. Dean, you have been by my side throughout my journey in jet ski racing, always believing in me, guiding me, and pushing me to reach the top. Your support and mentorship helped me achieve incredible milestones — including several podium finishes and unforgettable first-place victories.
To me, your family — your wife (Mom) Donna Tumminello-Charrier, children (Bro) Dustin Charrier and (Sis) Britney Hastings — are like my own. I send them all my love, strength, and deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time. Please know that whatever you need, I am always here — today, tomorrow, and beyond.
Dean dedicated 30 remarkable years to the world of jet ski racing, and in a way that feels beautifully symbolic, I’ve raced with the number 30 throughout my career. This season will be my last — my final lap in this sport — and I will ride every wave in your memory.
Thank you, Dean, for everything.
You will never be forgotten.
