I love riding a standup. I don't go to big events because my work schedule really doesn't allow it. I should support this company because they give free cheap keyfobs and hats at organized gatherings??? WTF??
Have you guys ever heard of marketing???????
Oh, no, you call it "supporting our sport."
They go where the money is. That's smart.
I think you're a little off base here. No one is telling you that you must support HT, but at the same time they do alot for the sport aspect of watercraft (racers, freeride competitors, etc) that in turn helps the recreational side of things (guys like you who do not compete, attend races, just ride for fun).
The support they have shown has helped at the very least to keep the sport from declining and at best to provide the venues and opportunities to show the world of watercraft to people who might not have otherwise seen it.
But what does this mean to you? Look at it like this...the more people who ride, attend events, buy HT and other products the more they can produce and overall the lower price that these companies that already give so much can offer for their products.
So just because you don't have a huge event in your backyard doesn't really mean there is no benefit for you...its just a slightly more abstract concept for you than for people more involved with the sport side of riding water scooters...