In a fantastic bit of honesty, IJSBA 2014 Freestyle World Champion Eli Kemnitz shares the struggles and payoffs of dedicating oneself to the sport of flatwater freestyle jet skiing in a revelatory video that was published yesterday on YouTube. Kemnitz, brother of Derrick Jr. and son of Derrick Sr., not only displays his aptitude at flipping his Hurricane Industries ski, building the custom machines in his brother’s shop, but peals back the curtain on the costs of being in contention for a world championship.
“I had to sell my car to buy a new engine for my ski,” Kemnitz shares, noting that the state of today’s sport cannot support the level of equipment that it requires to remain competitive, noting that “one of these skis costs anywhere from 30 to 40 grand.” Even in light of Kemnitz’s own sibling producing the Hurricane hulls he rides (citing, “It’s pretty crazy to think that we start with a roll of fabric and my brother turns that into a hull.”), things add up. But he vows never to quit, sharing, “It’s where my heart is.”
The video has already taken in several thousand views and will undoubtedly rake in many, many more as the action is stellar and the quality of the video production is sharp. So much so that Full Spectrum’s own Edward Brazina wrote, “No other family in our sport has accomplished what “Team Ski Clinic” has done. Two brothers, two World Freestyle Championships! To Eli, ‘Keep the momentum going.’ Excellent video, nice work.”
I remember when Eli young and was at the races taking photos of his dad and brother putting on freestyle demos. Now, the level he has reached is amazing…World Champ! Congrats to Eli, Derrick Jr, and the rest of the family. They are great people, have great businesses (The Ski Clinic & Hurricane Industries) and hope they continue their success.