A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

[JSNate]

This thread is a way to acknowledge all of the old dudes that still ride stand up skis and refuse to go away quietly. So, go ahead... Post your stories and photos of past and current Jet Ski glory!

After thirty plus years I have come to the understanding that this is not just a Jet Ski faze.. It is a lifelong obsession that is being handed down to my children. I guess in the scheme of things there are considerably more unhealthy things to get hooked on.. I thought it would be appropriate to start this thread in the "Vintage" section for obvious reasons..

[rwilliamtaylor]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

I'm 51 yearsvold and just started riding again last year with my 18 year old son. We bought a trashed 550 Sx and rebuilt it and then bought a 650sx and rebuilt it. We ride just about every weekend all year round. We ride mostly freshwater but occasionally hit the surf and beat the snot out of our skis jumping them.












sub fail... Hood popped off and sunk it.

[orangefinger]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

define " old dude "

[Born2speed]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

define " old dude "

LMAO! You beat me to it! WTF you talking about old? The old saying was "never trust anyone over 40" is that your start point? lol.

[JSNate]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

It's open for interpretation as far as age... I remember that old saying and I thought it went more like this "never trust anyone over 30"...

[Jetfixr]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

define " old dude "

Yeah??? What the heck is that supposed to mean, 50 is the new 30 so go figure.....
Jet

[AC 46]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

This is me at 50...old?

[JSNate]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

This is me at 50...old?

Awesome!! This is the type of stuff I was hoping to see us old dudes doing!!

[SteveTec]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

The Day I Have To Sit is the Day I Quit !!!
NEVER TO OLD

[Born2speed]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

It's open for interpretation as far as age... I remember that old saying and I thought it went more like this "never trust anyone over 30"...

I stand corrected, thank you. This should be a great thread, there are lots of "Old Dudes" who get out. And if you got air time lets see it!

[FOG]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

In 2002, sitting in the stands watching the racing at the World Finals, I commented to my wife that I wish I had discovered standups at an earlier age and how I wished I could race the World Finals just once in my life...sort of a bucket list item. She commented that I could do whatever I put my mind (and body) to. However, at 47 years old, I had doubts.

Fast forward to '03...I contacted Greg 'Maddog' Matta in Las Vegas (we were living in northern Utah) and inquired about his racing school. Long story short, we met Maddog and the rest of the Vegas crew that year and I started my first year racing at the Arena Cross events outside of Vegas. I grabbed the Region 10 Championship plate that year. But that was only because I showed up for every race and accumulated points towards overall total. If there were five racers in my class, I would finish fifth. But I was racing and I loved it.

The race number I chose for my ski was 481, 48 being my age and 1 signifying my first year of racing. To this day, fading from the years, my ski still sports my number.

As timing and luck would have it, '03 was the first year that the IJSBA defined the Masters Ski class, offering both stock and superstock classes that year at the World Finals. I sent my entry into the IJSBA for the Finals and began riding my mountain bike daily and dropping practice buoys into the lake regularly.

When October finally arrived, we flew my son up from TX to Vegas and then headed to Havasu. Our camper was right above Performance Alley and we could see the entire course from our pad. The race course was huge that year, taking well over a minute to complete a lap and even longer for me.

The qualifier was just a formality since the class (Masters Superstock) was just shy of sixteen racers. However, for me, it was the first time I had been on a real course, having only raced the small Arena Cross events previously. It kicked my butt and I struggled for stamina after three laps. However, I rode the 9 laps and enjoyed the personal accomplishment.

Race day was a whirl of activity all day long with getting ski to pits, practice laps, ski in and out of water, etc. But when it was time for my first moto, everything came together to create one of the most memorable days of my life.

My son and I walked my ski thru the water to staging and after short riders meeting, we waited to be called to the line. When we were finally called to the line, I stood in the water on the starting line of the World Finals looking up at the bleachers where I had sat so many times before wishing then that I was where I was now! But the most enjoyable aspect of this was that I was able to stand there with my son and share this dream come true. I had family in the bleachers, friends in the pits, my son at my side, and butterflies in my stomach...it doesn't get any better!

As for the race, both motos were brutal. Eight laps for moto 1 and seven laps for moto 2. My stamina was gone after several laps but I managed to complete both motos. If I passed someone, it was because they had fallen or had mechanical problems. But I rode as hard as I was capable of and placed 12th overall.

Moto 1 was where I got tagged with FOG (fast old guy) by my good friend Steve. I was holding third for the first two laps with Steve behind me in fourth. I went down in the long, sweeping right turn and several got past me. After the moto, Steve said he was wondering who the fast old guy was in front of him until he recognized my gray pony tail descending from the back of my helmet. The moniker stuck and I'm happy to this day to be known as FOG.

[JSNate]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

Great story, FOG! I was hoping you would find this thread and tell your story and post pictures. Well done, sir!

[Taynton]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

ya man great story! its an inspiration and a reminder that some of us just LOVE to race! everything about it, the prep, the friends, the competition

nothin like a gate drop.

[theVetteman3]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

Wow what a great story FOG! And great idea Nate. Those who aren't at this esteemed spot yet will be one day!

[hyosung]

Re: A salute to the Old Dudes that still ride Jet Skis!

one comment ??????????????????????????????? what old guys ....i prefer to call it experienced..... 50 + here and still freeride at least once a week... all seasons .... trying to figure a walking frame adapter for the X2 for when im 70 """"thats old """"""""""""""""