Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/711372
PWC Excitement, adrenaline, fierce competition, world-class athletes, awesome aerials — pos- sibly a few spectacular splashdowns — and fans will have a lakeside seat for it all at the first annual HydroFlight World Championship, scheduled for Sept. 16-18 in Naples, Florida. Hosted in conjunction with the Pro Water- cross PWC World Championship on Lake Avalon in Naples, the HydroFlight World Championship will bring the sport's top national and international professionals to com- pete for more than $5,000 in cash and awards. In addition to the top pros going head to head in the Pro class competitions, expect an intense battle in the Open class as those climb- ing their way up the ranks of this growing sport fight for reputation and awards. "We are excited to welcome HydroFlight to the Pro Watercross family and to host the sport's first world championship in the USA this fall," said Pro Watercross CEO AJ Handler. "We are inviting HydroFlight athletes from around the world to participate in this competi- tion open to all manufacturer brands of water jet packs, boards and bikes." "We are super stoked for another open HydroFlight competition! This is exactly what our sport needs," said pro HydroFlight athlete Brandon Landis from Team DEFY. Pro athletes will compete for a minimum $1,500 first-place prize money in both the Pro and Women's classes, and the Open and Veteran HydroFlight athletes will vie for prizes and awards as well as a chance to advance their standing in the sport. The HydroFlight World Championship will be filmed for regional sports networks with a 30-minute TV show airing to an audience of more than 90 million households worldwide. "Pro Watercross will be the official sanc- tioning body for HydroFlight in the United States — this is a great thing for us, for the U.S. and for the sport of HydroFlight," Handler said. Along with the 30-minute TV show, the event will be professionally live streamed via Facebook, YouTube and Ustream on Saturday and Sunday during the Pro and Women's competition. "The sport is going mainstream and Pro Watercross is proud to be a part of it," Handler said. PSB HydroFlight to launch first finals event 38 • August 15, 2016 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Jet Ski Ultra 310R claims class title The Long Beach to Catalina and Back PWC Offshore Endurance race has long been the pinnacle of personal watercraft endurance rac- ing in the U.S. The grueling 60-mile race begins in Long Beach off the Southern California coast, heads out to beautiful Catalina Island for a full throt- tle loop that continues all the way back to the finish line at the Queen Mary cruise ship anchorage on the mainland in Long Beach. The Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310R has domi- nated the event over the last decade. This year, it was Bill Scott on a production Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310R who took a thrilling victory in the Manufacturer Stock class. "This race is about being smart and trust- ing the machine," Scott said. "The Jet Ski Ultra 310R is a big step up from previous boats, and in its stock setup, it gives you the confidence you need to attack a race of this caliber. Right from the start I was able to hold it wide open, and the engine performed beau- tifully the entire race. I knew I was doing well, which let me really enjoy the race; I even had a few big air moments on the wakes of the big boats along the way. The way back was head- ing into the wind, which I prefer, so it made the return great, and the wind and chop was pretty minimal for an offshore race like this. My Kawasaki got me to Catalina and back in under an hour, which was my goal, and I was able to take the first LB2CAT Manufacturer Stock class win of my career. It's an incred- ible feeling, and I'm thankful to everyone that contributed to my win!" PSB Kawasaki on top again in LB2CAT race PWC sales were once again strong in June, increasing about 15 percent over the last 12 months compared to the year-ago period, according to the latest Info-Link Bellwether report. The Bellwether report tracks sales of powerboats across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations on a rolling 12-month basis. Bellwether states are geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the U.S. boat market (varies by market seg- ment and time of year). Powerboats sales were up in every cate- gory for the 12 months ending in June. Over- all sales were up about 9 percent on a rolling 12-month basis through June. The ski boat segment was once again the top category for growth, with sales up by about 16 percent for the period. The sportfish segment was up by less than 10 percent. Overall outboard sales were up by about 8 percent for the period, while sterndrive/jet sales were up by about 6 percent over the last 12 months. PWIA SEEKS EXPANDED ACCESS IN MARYLAND The Personal Watercraft Industry Asso- ciation (PWIA) testified in June in support of lifting restrictions on PWC access on Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland, the National Marine Manufacturers Associa- tion reports. The lake, which is owned by the state of Maryland, currently bans PWC from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends in July and August, as well as Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays, the NMMA report said. Lake residents who opposed the change cited overall crowded conditions. PWIA, liveries and PWC owners opposed the dis- criminatory policy's impact on tourism and the inability to spread PWC use throughout the day, as well as the increased safety train- ing and changes in demographics of users since the ban was enacted in 1989, according to the NMMA. The NMMA added that the Subcommittee on PWC Access will report its recommendation to the Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board in coming weeks. Several more reviews and legislative approval would be required to lift the ban. PSB DIGEST Bill Scott, aboard a production Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310R, won the Manufacturer Stock class in the Long Beach to Catalina and Back endurance race. PWC sales remain strong, grow 15 percent in June The 2016 Yamaha V1 Sport helped boost PWC sales in June.