The Watercraft Journal: Trisha, for those reading that don’t know can you please tell us what 10 Racing is and it was started.
Trisha Craft-Juarez: 10 Racing is a watercraft race team derived of some of the world’s most talented jet ski pilots. We wanted to surround ourselves with racers that are fully dedicated to the sport. So we created 10 Racing after I launched 10 FlexTape in in early 2017.
The team prides themselves on the daily dedication required to be a successful jet ski racer, from the day to day workouts to the countless laps on the water. It’s common to see our team at body beach practicing and helping each other achieve our goals. Our athletes are progressively setting themselves apart from the competition and bring a level of professionalism to the regional races.
WCJ: We would love to know more about these athletes that make up 10 Racing.
TCJ: Where do I start, our line-up of riders for 2018 are highly accomplished. Each and every one of them brings great value to the team; Stian Schjetlein (Bergen, Norway), Kole Cramer (Lake Havasu City, Arizona), Ulrik Bernsten (Hordaland, Norway), Preston Matzdorff (Lake Havasu City, Arizona), Tim Warner (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Jack Briscoe (Salt Lake City, Utah), Eric Senko (Las Vegas, Nevada), JB Gasperone (Flagstaff, Arizona), and Ryan Smith (Phillipsburg, Kansas).
WCJ: You mentioned 10 FlexTape, can you elaborate on what the tape is used for and is there any other products that you offer?
TCJ: 10 Flextape is a waterproof kinesiology tape that has many uses such as:
Allowing athletes to remain active while injured – This is one of the most important benefits of kinesiology taping for competitive athletes. Allowing them to continue training and/or competing as their injuries heal.
Prevention of cramping – Enhanced circulation to working muscles helps deliver oxygen and nutrients at the cellular level as well as accelerates the removal of lactic acid.
Speedier recovery – fatigued, overused muscles contain by-products of exercise (such as lactic acid) that contribute to pain and stiffness and limit the ability to continue exercising. When the tape is used over these areas, enhanced removal of these by-products allows for more rapid recovery.
Pain relief – The lifting action of the tape relieves pressure on the pain receptors directly under the skin.
Structural support – The unique elastic properties of kinesiology tape allow it to provide support to an injured muscle or joint. Which discourages harmful movements, while still allowing a safe healthy range of motion.
Reduced swelling – Reduced pressure on the lymphatic drainage channels enhances the removal of lfuids and other materials that collect in an injured area.
10 flextape is used in many different areas such as the elbow, knee, hand, hip, quad, lumbar, cervical, calf, shoulder and hamstring. We also offer arm compression sleeves which:
Aiding in muscle recovery – Compression arm sleeves are worn to aid in muscle recovery from previous activities. Wearing compression sleeves cuts down on recovery time allowing your blood flow to circulate quicker to the heart.
Preventing arm pump and cramping – 10 Compression sleeves are used to promote increase circulation by supporting the muscles in the elbow joint. This will prevent blood pooling in the forearms known as “arm pump”. Great for all activates including jetskiing, running, cycling, motocross and many more sports.
Protect your skin – Compression sleeves can also be used to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, minor bumps and scratches.
10 FlexTape provides our athletes with these products along with offering them to the world of jet ski racers. Most of the riders in our sport use the tape on their backs and shoulders.
WCJ: What do you do to prepare for an event or competition? What type of training do you do before the big day? Do you have any rituals you do the day of?
TCJ: I focus a lot on cardio 5-or-6 days a week, with two of those days being max VO2 training. I also train legs and shoulders a couple times a week. But I would take a day of riding over a day of training any day, You just can’t beat the way riding works your body, seeing how nothing translates 100-percent.
As far as the team goes, we train together off and on the track. We have team days where all the riders get together and practice as well. We help each other out by trading parts, lending skis, and luckily the riders always have a place for me to stay in Havasu. We have a great group of people that work together
WCJ: What does the team have planned for the 2018 season?
TCJ: We are very fortunate that we race in region one where they have several races going on this year. We will be attending the JetJam series, Jettribe Best of the West series and of course, the IJSBA World Finals. Our international riders will be competing in the UIM Aquabike series.
WCJ: We have heard lots about the team, but how about you and what got you into jetski racing?
TCJ: So a little bit about myself, I started racing runabouts in 2006 after a friend of mine convinced me to buy some jet skis. He used to race and introduced me to the sport. I fell in love with it. I like the challenge and the family atmosphere in jet ski racing. I met my husband Mateo Juarez through jet ski racing as well. He converted me to stand-ups and I haven’t looked back.
WCJ: Is there anyone out there you would like to take this time to thank?
TCJ: First and for most I would like to thank all of our riders for being a part of the team. Lance and Kole Cramer for helping me keep skis running, Print Shop Inc for hooking up the team trailer, JetPilot, Go Fast, ProWatercraft, Bullett, IPD, Monster Energy, Terrible Herbst, and JB Gasperone for everything he does for us.
All images courtesy of Ken Gallagher
