Jet skis on the race course

[pdxmike]

I can generally deal with the wakes, despite my geezer balance, though GorgeBob DID knock me off at a race. I was on the Speedboard, way up front so it would release. It's about 20" wide up there, so stability is an issue.

I just read this--guess I owe Bob his $10.

[photofr]

Boat wakes can be quite fun (most of the time).
Fumes can easily be avoided with a little more "thinking" and anticipation.
(read: don't be French & Selfish - just think ahead)
Noise / Jetski Pouding drives me nuts on glassy days.

One way to feel closer to nature is to use sail boats - as mentioned… but during glassy days, that's not going to work well.
My favorite: use SURSKIS as first-rescuers.
Safety boats can then be called in right away (on the rare occasions that they are needed).
Surfski are about 19-21 feet long, super fast, super maneuverable and very quiet. They make zero wake.

* Just an idea…

[PonoBill]

How would a surfski serve as a rescue boat?  They can't take anyone aboard, or even really tow them. I'd like to see what Larry (La Perouse) has to say about this.

[photofr]

Hands down, surfskis have rescued more people in the middle of the ocean than Stand Up Paddle boards.
Even the most elite ski can easily save a swimmer or paddler.
The person climbs in the back of the ski - the victim simply lays down - the board can be towed behind using the leash that remains on the SUPer's leg.
It's very efficient and very fast.

Tons of pros, really…

I use a Spark surfski, and have demonstrated this many a times in France.
Remember: the original surfski came from South Africa and was used as a rescue craft FIRST.
Just because they are tippy for the average person, experienced ocean paddlers have no problems assisting you.

[Off-Shore]

For our open ocean swim races here in Hong Kong we use a variety of craft for rescue including Surfskis, SUPs and regular canoes. We keep the rescue boats at the side outside the path of the swimmers and we paddle craft stay with the swimmers who get stretched out over the course. Usually we have a SUP at the front and back and the Surfskis in the middle going up and down. One of our regular safety duty guys is a surfskier and a doctor. If there are issues we wave a paddle let the swimmer rest on our craft and a rescue boat comes alongside and we transfer the swimmer to the boat. That way we keep fumes away from the swimmers except if they need to be rescued. I've even paddled a person lying on my 14' SB to the shore when there was no boat available. She was the last swimmer in the race and after 2 hours got cramps and could not make the last 500 meters. It was a privilege to see how she battled the currents and her own demons to get so close and sadly in the end fail. She was so grateful we were out there all the same. Amazing.

[gorgebob]

Yes I put Pono in the drink. Jet Skis wake is the same size at any speed which sucks. They are handy not having an exposed prop  and are small and agile. We got a small Zodiak for our races now, much better for rescue and as a buoy tender.

[LaPerouseBay]

How would a surfski serve as a rescue boat?  They can't take anyone aboard, or even really tow them. I'd like to see what Larry (La Perouse) has to say about this.

photofr explains the method very well.  Skis are great for rescue.  Especially on milder water.

PB, some day I'll tell you a great story about a pro saving a guy in Mauritius in HUGE surf.  Zsolt told us the story when he gave a clinic here a few years ago.  Too long to write here - Paddlers do some crazy stuff in skis.

Oh, and photofr's Fenn Glide Spark is a very elite ocean ski.     

[pdxmike]

Jetskis, surfskis...reminds me of an old joke involving icebergs, Goldbergs, Pearl Harbor and the Titanic.

[photofr]

As you can see from the picture below, surfskis are very low to the water (unless you care to climb on the bow).
The goal is to get the "swimmer / victim" to climb on the stern and lay down - which is usually easier than climbing back onto your SUP. The victim will then hold down to my shorts, shirt, or life vest (or which ever comes first). Legs will remain in the water (forming a V for more stability), but within a few seconds, everyone is comfortable enough and the victim is able to close their legs and bring them closer to the craft - even increasing speed.

Several victims have been able to assist me by paddling.
Catching waves is VERY do-able to even speed up the process.

Best part: lack of fumes while remaining very safe.