Jet Ski

Jet Ski is the brand name of personal watercraft (PWC) manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.. The name, however, has become a genericized trademark for any type of personal watercraft. Jet Ski (or JetSki, often shortened to "Ski" [Step Into Liquid, Lions Gate Studios, ASIN B0001FGBUC, April 20, 2004] ) can also specifically refer to versions of PWCs with pivoting handlepoles known as "stand-ups."

"Jet Ski" became foremost the colloquial term for stand-up personal watercraft, because in 1973 Kawasaki was responsible for a limited production of stand-up models as designed by the recognized inventor of Jet Skis, Clayton Jacobson II. [cite book | author = Action, Johnny | coauthors = Adams, Tania; Packer, Matt | date = 2006 |title = Origin of Everyday Things | publisher = Sterling Publishing | id = ISBN 1402743025 | pages = 124] In 1976, Kawasaki then began mass production of the JS400-A. JS400s came with 400 cc two-stroke engines and hulls based upon the previous limited release models. It became the harbinger of the success Jet Skis would see in the market up through the 1990s.In 1986 Kawasaki broadened the world of Jet Skis by introducing a two person model with lean-in "sport" style handling and a 650cc engine, dubbed the X-2. Then in 1989, they introduced their first two passenger "sit-down" model, the Tandem Sport (TS) with a step-through seating area.

For 1992 Kawasaki updated their standup line with the JS750 featuring a more stable hull and more power. In 2003, Kawasaki celebrated the Jet Ski brand by releasing a special 30th anniversary edition of its current stand-up model, the SX-R, which has seen a revival of interest in stand-up jetskiing. The X-2 has also been updated, based on the SX-R platform and re-released in Japan. Kawasaki continues to produce three models of sit-downs, including many four-stroke models.

The four stroke engines have come on since the late 1990s; with the help of superchargers and the like the engines can output up to 250 horsepower as seen in the newly released Kawasaki ultra 250x [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Ultra_250x] .

Since the riding of personal watercraft has evolved through the 90s other companies like Yamaha, Bombardier and Polaris have joined the sport to make it into a worldwide sport in both racing and freestyle.

Freestyle

Freestyle riding of personal watercraft is done on stand-up PWC, with the exception of a few other PWC including the Yamaha Waveblaster, but primarily on Yamaha Superjets as they are lighter and smaller than the Kawasaki SX-R. Jetski freestyle consists of many different tricks, including big air, hood tricks and technical tricks which, just like BMX and Motocross, are judged on the quality and skill shown in routines.

The freestyle world is made up of different competitions into which anyone can enter. In the United Kingdom amateurs start with the FNT (Freestyle National Tour). In 2006 Luke "Showtime" Stocks won the professional category and Stuart Hammer won the amateur. It is held around the main British lakes and coastal bays.

The next step up is the British Winter Series which again consists of pro and amateur categories. After winning this title it is possible to enter the British summer series. The British series is held on the official British circuit and has produced some of the world's champions, including Lee Stone (World Professional Champion), Terry Nutkins (1987 World Amateur Champion and famous television naturalist), Richard 'Rich Woodham' Woodham (1998 World Pairs Champion with Terry Nutkins), Ant 'Barrel Roll' Burgess (World Amateur Champion) and Dan 'Aircroft' Ashcroft (Junior World Champion, European Champion & British Champion).

The IJSBA freestyle started in the 1980s with Brian Bendix, then moved on to new tricks by Dave "The Flash" Gorden. The sport saw a new style in the early 1990s with Scott Watkins on a stand-up and Jeff Kantz on the X-2. The mid 1990s saw the invention on the biggest change in freestyle "the barrel roll" -- Rick Roy was the first to really perfect this move, which was invented by Jeff Kantz, as new riders like Marc Sickerling and Eric Malone became forces in the sport. Eric Malone went on to become the 8-time freestyle champion, while perfecting the back flip on flat water. The sport has recently taking another turn with Typhoon Tommy Nuttall combining forces with the WFWA and Eric Malone to create the WFWA National Freestyle tour.

The sport of Jet Ski Freestyle has also seen many other additions over the year; including great female freestylers and freestyle on runabout PWC. In the begnning all PWC racers had to do freestyle, so we saw the like of Cristy Carlson and others freestyling. In the early 1990s saw Patti Mogan take to the freestyle water against many top riders, then later Rambo Rosie Nuttall became a force in freestyle doing her patent "figure skating" style tricks.

Popular culture

Kawasaki has lent their Jet Ski name, and designs, to the video game Wave Race 64 developed and published by Nintendo.

See also

* Pumpjet
* Kawasaki Heavy Industries
* Yamaha Motor Company
* WaveRunner
* Sea-Doo
* Honda
* Personal watercraft

References

External links

* [http://www.bestofboating.com/ Best of Boating]
* [http://www.pwia.org/ Personal Watercraft Industry Association]
* [http://www.awahq.com/ American Watercraft Association]