Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/379417
42 • September 8, 2014 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com PWC sales up 30 percent in June PWC sales were up nearly 30 percent year- over-year in June, showing strong growth for the third month in a row, according to the latest Info-Link bellwether report, which tracks boat sales across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations. Bellwether states are geographically dis- persed states representing roughly half of the U.S. boat market (varies by market seg- ment and time of year). SBT CELEBRATES 2,000 HOURS OF PRODUCT TESTING Clearwater, Fla.-based SBT, Inc. operates one of the most extensive PWC testing pro- grams in the world. Every year, the testing team racks up thousands of hours on the water verifying the performance, durability and endurance of the products that carry the SBT name. Product testing begins every year around September and ends in May. SBT's testing process involves both initial test- ing on the dyno and accelerated durability on the water. During testing, the riders are responsible for carefully monitoring all aspects of the PWC. This includes provid- ing detailed product feedback on how the ski handles, sounds and performs with the various parts installed. Each part is tested for more than 100 hours. Every part must meet or exceed SBT's quality standards. "We take a lot of pride in our testing procedures and our team of riders," said Cj Lammers, president of SBT, Inc. "This is the backbone that makes SBT parts so reli- able and sets us apart from the competition. We are the only company in the PWC parts industry with these high testing standards." Adam Letteri, one of the SBT riders agreed. "Testing is important to make sure our parts precede the OEM specs. Some days we are out there and it's storming, cold and choppy, but we have to ride anyways. We have to get those hours on the skis and make sure the parts are to spec. We back all of our parts up with hours," he said. This summer concluded another strong testing season for SBT, with over 2,000 hours logged by the team. GIBBS QUADSKI XL RESCUES SWIMMER DURING LIFEGUARD COMPETITION The Gibbs Quadski proved its worth as a res- cue vehicle by recording its first "official" water rescue during the 2014 United States Lifesav- ing Association (USLA) Lifeguard Champi- onships held in Virginia Beach, Va. Richard Szvitich, a lifeguard representing the Sussex County USLA in Delaware, res- cued a young competitor who had suffered an asthma attack during a race for youngsters 9-12 years of age. Riding a Quadski XL, Szvitich was able to reach the girl. He pulled her onto his Quadski, brought her onshore and drove her to a nearby medical tent — all within minutes. "The Quadski made a huge difference in this particular rescue, saving us precious time getting the victim out of the water and onto the shore without the need for the help of other lifeguards or equipment," Szvitich said. Tom Gill, deputy chief of the Viriginia Beach Life Saving Service, echoed Szvitich's comments about the Quadski. "Seeing the Quadski perform its first actual rescue mission clearly demonstrated its value as an asset for the surf and beach-front life-saving community," Gill noted. "Our first impression of the Quadski definitely has been a good one." Gibbs Sports Amphibians was a title sponsor for the 2014 USLA Lifeguard Cham- pionships and also provided Quadskis for com- petition course referees and on-duty lifeguards during the competition. "We are extremely proud to be a title sponsor and an integral part of this year's USLA Lifeguard Championships," said Tom Berchulc, vice president of marketing for Gibbs Sports Amphibians. "But nothing can compare to the pride we've felt in having played a role in the water rescue of one of this year's young competitors. The Quadski will revolutionize lifesaving techniques for life- guards performing rescues thus saving even more time and more lives." WARNER WINS FIFTH STRAIGHT LB2CAT RACE Craig Warner made it one more for the thumb aboard a Kawasaki Ultra 310R. Warner won his fifth consecutive off- shore national championship last month when he captured the 58-mile Long Beach to Catalina and Back Offshore National Championshp PWC race, know to many as The LB2CAT. PSB DIGEST SBT testers logged 2,000 hours of product testing this summer.