Welcome to The Watercraft Journal, my name is Kevin Shaw, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher (and you can reach me directly at kevin.shaw@shawgroupmedia.com). Together with my wife and daughters, I wanted to pursue my love for personal watercraft, those who encompass the industry and accompanying sport, and create something unique – something that matters.
Here you will find a daily supply of uniquely-written industry news, honest product and personal watercraft reviews (and at times, they might be a little too honest), timely event coverage across around the globe, informative technical how-to articles, shop tours, interviews, gorgeous pictures and some pretty cool videos.
You can count on us to publish new articles every single day, Monday-through-Friday. No other magazine compares and since launching in 2013, have become the single-largest, most popular PWC in the world. Best of all, The Watercraft Journal is for you to share with your friends and families. That’s why it’s 100-percent online and it’s 100-percent free to you.
The Watercraft Journal Staff
Kevin ShawEditor-in-Chief – kevin.shaw@shawgroupmedia.com
Kevin Shaw is a decade-long powersports and automotive journalist whose love for things that go too fast has led him to launching The Watercraft Journal. Almost always found with stained hands and dirt under his fingernails, Kevin has an eye for the technical while keeping a eye out for beautiful photography and a great story.
Contributors
Joshua DowlingBased in Sydney, AUS, Joshua Dowling has been riding PWC since 2014. He's clocked hundreds of hours of ocean riding along the east coast of Australia – and away from the vast number of PWC-restricted areas in Sydney's waterways – but doesn't mind burning fuel in flat water from time to time.
Blake EllestadBlake decided to buy a jet ski before a car and it was the greatest decision of his life. He was able to start reading on the forums and absolutely fell in love with the information and the sport. Blake says he will be riding jet skis for a very long time.
Ally EmigA mom and avid jet ski lover, Ally has become one of the most recognized fixtures on the shoreline capturing heat-of-the-moment action of your favorite PWC races.
Jerry GaddisJerry Gaddis is the owner and operator of the single-largest PWC performance enthusiast forum in the world, www.greenhulk.net, as well as one of the most successful performance online stores, www.pwcperformance.com. Jerry is a top speed pioneer and trend-setter watched by tens of thousands.
Greg GaddisGreg Gaddis is a die-hard PWC enthusiast. Son of the founder of the worlds largest PWC forum and performance parts store, skis play a major part of his life seven days a week. While his first love are PWCs, his passion for mechanics does not stop there. He has a knack for anything with an engine and can’t help but tinker.
Matt HamptonAs a firefighter for a 1/3 of the month and a jet skier and boater for the other 2/3, most of Matt Hampton’s days off are spent in the water or in the garage preparing to be in water. Bouys and wake surfing take him to his happy place.
Brice LeckroneBrice is a Mechanical Engineer for 33% of the day and a PWC enthusiast for 100% of the day. When he is not at work or at the farmhouse with his wife and countless animals, he likes to be on the water. Having evolved from motorcycles and race cars that go way too fast for a married man, he now likes to ride watercraft that go way too fast for a married man.
Ocean PriselacAn avid mountain and bodyboarder who lives by "if you don't go, you'll never know," with an affinity for wildlife and animal rescue; surf forecasting is a huge part of Ocean's life and was a winner in Red Bull's Project Swell several years ago. The 2014 LB2CAT was her first jet ski competition and can't wait to do it again!
Julian RamirezJulian Ramirez is an avid PWC enthusiast. He grew up in the desert of west Texas riding dirt bikes from his youth and old school VW sand rails. Until one day during A family camping trip. Julian convinces his dad that they should get a pair of JetSki‘s just to have fun with. After those first JetSki‘s it was over for Julian, he fell in love with the watercraft industry and the camaraderie and support that the community brings.
Junior RiveraJunior Rivera is the East Coast representative for the Florida Ski Riders. A business owner and talented videographer, Junior has been married for 11 years, a father of 6 and soon to be a grandfather.
Jessica WatersA working photojournalist and reporter living in Florida, Jessica Waters has covered competition stock car racing, downhill skiing, motocross, horse racing and hydroplane races for more than 30 years, and added jet ski races and freestyle competitions in 2010, covering many competitions for local media outlets.