How I Started Jet Skiing

Hi everyone,

Thought I would let you all know how i started jet skiing, and the ups and downs of starting out.

In June 2000 i was holidaying in Spain, and thought how nice it would be to have my own static caravan that I could use all the time, not just for a holiday for two weeks of the year and going through the hassle of going abroad. I had always wanted to own my own static home. So I thought I would give it ago.

By July 2000 I had done the deed, and had weeks at my caravan in sunny Barmouth. I met loads of other people doing the same thing and to be honest, I was having a whale of a time.

But something was missing, you see I am a petrol head and at that time had owned loads of fast cars and motorbikes and at that time had a Suzuki GSXR 1000 in red, but was having no time to ride it, as i was always at the van.

Sitting on the beach I started watching guys on these jet skis and thought i would sell my bike, and buy a ski for next season, now bear in mind i hadn't a clue about jet skis but that didn't matter!

Ok so don't laugh, a trip to a jet skiing dealer in the Wolverhampton area no longer trading sells me a Polaris 700cc and takes my bike in part exchange telling me the power and the thrill will be as good as bike!!!!!! Thats right my GSXR 1000 for a Polaris 700cc.

A Wet suit, dry suit, wet boots, gloves, life jacket, ropes, sand anchor, 2 stroke oil and a flushing nozzle later, and an old Saab car with a tow bar, I set off with the idea of a life on the sea.

I had always said, people who risk cars on beaches with sea coming in are taking a risk, so i decided to push the ski. Yes... push the ski down the ramp, across a packed beach into the water with my family helping me, I could hear the laughing from the jet ski experts and the holiday makers soaking up the sun, exhausted from the trailer sinking in the sand and falling over, eventually its in the water .

I start it up and open throttle and it moves a cross the water. Slowly. I wondered "Where is the power the bloke in the shop assured me?" "It was awesome" He said. Haha :D.

I bumbled around for half hour, brought it in, fetched the car on the beach, (yes... on the beach) struggled to get it on the trailer, then the trailer sunk in the sand, hitched it on the car and parked at my caravan. Then I rang the bloke at the ski centre. I said, "If you think this is fast you having a laugh mate!!"

The following day I drove back to his shop and he replaces it with a red Polaris 1200cc, and Wow! Was she quick, I had spent a fortune, but decided i needed a 4 wheel drive to pull it with and be able to put on the beach without losing it to the sea.

I hope you have enjoyed this story and can promise you so much more over the next 6 months.