More than 150 riders turned out for the Sydney Jet Ski Social Club mega-BBQ event at Plane Spotters Beach today.
It was the fourth such event in the nine years since the Facebook group was established.
The mega-BBQ was put on by the two major sponsors: Sea-Doo dealer Lake & Valley Powersports and Yamaha dealer Sydney Watercraft Centre.
In total, a group of 18 sponsors provided more than $11,000 in raffle prizes.
Officers from NSW Maritime attended – on land and water – with education officers on the shore handing out information and free advice for the group of novice and veteran Jet Ski riders.
Close to 100 riders – split into three groups, to help spread out the numbers – battled choppy conditions and high winds to embark on three leisure rides, before everyone returned to shore for the BBQ and prizes.
One of the event organisers Benji Rem – who in December 2016 established what would become one of Australia’s largest Facebook groups for Jet Skis – told Watercraft Zone:
“Jet Ski riders get a bad rap from some sections of the broader community but our group is trying to help reverse that perception.
“We are pro safety and want to show the general public that the overwhelming majority of Jet Ski riders are law-abiding people who just want to have a fun day out on the water.
“The entire Jet Ski community should not be judged by the bad actions of a few.
“The fact we got such incredible support today from businesses who were very generous with their prizes, shows that the majority of Jet Ski riders are good people who do the right thing on the water.
“We also had the support of NSW Maritime who had safety officers in attendance, handing out safety packs and educating fellow riders. Plus two NSW Maritime safety officers on Jet Skis stopped by to say hello.”
Below is the list of sponsors who offered up prizes valued at more than $11,000.
Allwet Customs:
Sea-Doo service package valued at over $500.
Lake & Valley Powersports (Sea-Doo):
2 X Sea-Doo neoprene life jackets valued at $220 each.
Sydney Watercraft Centre (Yamaha):
$500 in-store credit on any product or service.
Noble Sea-Doo:
Linq 16L cooler box or Linq 15L fuel caddy.
Sydney Jet Ski Repairs:
Stage 1 Sea-Doo ‘flash tune’ to applicable watercraft valued at $880.
Jet Ski Service (Yamaha or Sea-Doo) valued at $550.
Engadine Automotive:
Vehicle service to the value of $600 including parts and labour.
Dave’s Pest control:
Prize 1. Single-story house pesticide spray (value $200).
Prize 2. Double-story or large single-story house (value $250).
Laser Cleaning Services AU:
Laser cleaning service to remove rust, corrosion, salt damage etc for a Jet Ski, boat, car, or ute (valued at $400).
Cracker Detailing:
Stage 1 Jet Ski paint correction and ceramic coating lasting three years (valued at $800).
Also 10 per cent off for the next two weeks for any Sydney Jet Ski Social Club member.
CPR Motorsport:
Stage 1 diesel tune to applicable vehicles valued at $600.
Jet 1 Industries:
Custom registration labels (including design) valued up to $160.
Jet Pilot:
More than $1000 in prizes.
Hawkesbury River Marina:
$100 fuel voucher.
Jet Ski Safari NSW:
1.5-hour guided tour on the Hawkesbury River (no licence required) valued at $329.
Hawkesbury River Marina:
20 cents off per litre for the next three months (mention Sydney Jet Ski Social Club).
Michael Byriel Custom Anchor Kit:
Complete handmade anchor rig (with Coopers Anchor, chain, rope and float), valued at $200.
Meguiar’s Car Care:
4 x Marine care pack valued $80 each.
1 x Telescopic washer $50.
1 x Snow cannon $120.
VTech Tuned:
Fizzle racing wetsuit SPF50 (large size) valued at $350.
3 x Map-Tuner hats ($35 each).
1 x Fizzle hat ($35).
16 x Fizzle racing tee shirts ($30 each).
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