It’s no secret that surf is easily some of the most grueling, challenging conditions to dare to ride in. When the sport of jet ski racing first began, venues featuring surf riding quickly became heralded as some of the toughest races in the circuit, weeding the “men from the boys” as it were. Injuries were nearly as common as broken equipment, and racers learned to fear these events. And as the lineups began to thin, so did these crucibles.
That is why it is so significant that RPM Racing Enterprises continued its Huntington Beach Jet Ski Freeride & Motosurf event. The Southern California town is quite literally the same “Surf City” that Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys sang about over 50 years ago. The breaks are heavy, fast and come in a differing paces depending on which side (north or south) of the pier you ride. Surfers take years to master Huntington. Jet skiers longer.
That’s why SoCal local and Hydro-Turf ambassador Mark Gomez shined so brightly at this year’s second annual event. Gomez not only clinched top billing in the weekend’s freeride portion – absolutely wowing crowds gathered on the famed cement pier, fighting hardscrabble against fellow competitor Brandon Lawlor – but also competed in Pro Ski Open, Vintage Ski 550 and Sport Spec class. Such a feat is nearly superhuman and Gomez has the video to prove it.
