We’ve talked about electric personal watercraft a few times here at The Watercraft Journal, and let’s just say the reactions have been mixed. Some riders are intrigued by the technology, while others aren’t quite ready to trade the sound of a gasoline engine for the hum of an electric motor.
But what if we made things a little smaller? A lot smaller, actually.
What if that electric jet ski was built for kids?
That’s exactly what WORX Racing has done, creating a custom-built junior electric ski that recently got some time on the water with a young rider named Harley. Jetpilot joined the fun, capturing the action while showcasing some of its youth riding gear.
And judging by the footage, Harley wasn’t particularly concerned about the ongoing electric-versus-gas debate. He was too busy having a good time.
The one-of-a-kind machine is a scaled-down personal watercraft powered by an electric motor, offering a quieter riding experience without the exhaust fumes associated with traditional gasoline-powered skis.
Before anyone starts clearing a space in the garage for one, though, there’s a catch. The WORX Racing junior electric ski is a custom creation, not a production model currently available for purchase.
That doesn’t make it any less interesting.
While electric PWC development has largely focused on full-sized machines, the idea of a smaller electric ski for younger riders offers an entirely different way of looking at the technology. Rather than trying to convince experienced enthusiasts to give up their gasoline-powered machines, a junior electric ski introduces the concept to riders who may not have developed those preferences in the first place.
Of course, we’re not talking about youngsters who hit the water WOT like Sammy Nehme or Deven Farthing did. (By the way, happy early birthday, Deven!) We’re talking about the rest of the kids who might simply enjoy having a little machine of their own.
Jetpilot also used the outing to showcase some of its youth riding gear, outfitting Harley in the Youth Cause Vest, made with Ecoprene derived from recycled plastic bottles, and the Youth RX Wetsuit, which uses limestone-based neoprene.
The combination of the custom electric ski, a young rider enjoying himself and some appropriately sized riding gear made for a pretty entertaining morning on the water.
There are still plenty of unanswered questions about what a production junior electric PWC might look like, including performance, battery life, pricing and, importantly, where and under what conditions younger riders could legally operate one.
But for now, this isn’t a product launch or a promise of what’s coming to dealerships. It’s simply a clever custom project that looks like a whole lot of fun.
And that brings us back to our original question.
We already know many of our readers aren’t sold on electric jet skis for themselves. But would you consider one for your kids?
