Is there light at the end of this sport?

[DaUpJetSkier]

Ive been going nuts these past few weeks. I may get the opportunity to do a show in China this winter, I have a few connections, but should know for sure by the 25th if I have a spot or not. But this sport is strange and its got me thinking. I mean could you even decide at the age of say 15 that you want to be a pro freestyle jetskier, I mean kids have these dreams about the olympics or becoming a pro baseball player. I would say Lee Stone is a good example but he has the best in the world backing him. What about the mom and pop backing their son at the motocross track like Pastrana was. Is there any hope with this sport. It seems it would be easier to become a racer than a freestyle rider, but do you guys think its even possible at this stage in the game of freestyle and the sport?

Im always going to be into this sport whether I go anywhere or not, it seems like there is potential because the sport is relatively new and theres not a lot of people in the game. Im sure im going to be the regular joe who finally finishes college, gets a decent job, works on the ski on the side travels to som events, competes here and there and Im still going to be satisfied with that, Hell i would 98% of this board is that.

I guess this a lil rant too, im frustrated with school and I just dont want to go into the motions of finish college, job, family, work all my life, die. Im 19 and I feel like i gotta do something now or its just too late, I see it all around and I know its not a bad life and theres still alot of unexpected to it but it just seems too much. I dont want to live Rob Bortolameollis(btw hes from my hometown and I know him pretty well, thats why I bring him into it, I know is story) life but I just dont know if there is hope anymore in this sport to progress like he did, is it too much risk at 19?

 

[vitaly]

Play basketball.

 

[chart102]

No offense but, suck it up and go ride......oh yeah study too.

 

[Waste Land]

Unless your number 1 and unbeatable....your not making ******** unless your selling your own stuff and even then youd need money.

Just ride your jetski

 

[Crab]

You worry too much, just enjoy riding.

 

[GDFL]

You don't necessarily need a 4 year degree, but you must get on some sort of career path or you won't have the money to ride. Bouncing from job to job isn't the way to buy a lightweight hull or a lamey or probably even a $1000 squarenose. Money isn't the most important thing in the world but it's what buys your parts and gas. I don't get to ride nearly enough because I'm working too many hours, but it'll eventually pay off when I can be like Chick and take sick days when the surf is nice and ask my wife for a WF hull for Christmas.:biggthumpup: School sucks bad, but you have to man up and do what it takes to secure a decent career. You're not going to make money riding jetski's for a living and I'd say that the standup custom market is pretty much full at the moment, but you could possibly look into being a jetski mechanic or salesperson or something like that.

Here's something important that I think way too many people fail to do. Look at yourself today and think about where you would like to be in 10 years, 20 years, and retirement. Is the path you're on now going to get you where you want to be? If not, where will it get you and would you be happy with that? I know that life changes and even people on a perfect path can crash and burn, but in general it will work. If you want to be retired at 55 with a garage full of toys, you more than likely aren't going to get there by jumping from one $8/hr job to another.
rant over

 

[GDFL]

no money in this sport right now.. become a dentist! you can take fridays off and you'll have plenty of XFT CF hulls and lameys thrown around the house.

That is the plan. They have the freakin life. If I didn't hate people and hate mouths I'd be all over it.

 

[Crab]

no money in this sport right now.. become a dentist! you can take fridays off and you'll have plenty of XFT CF hulls and lameys thrown around the house.

You are so right, a friend of ours is an orthodontist and has 3 airplanes and a house on the lake 20 minute flight out of Anchorage. The Beaver is probably worth near $700K alone. The thing even has an Alpine stereo, and can haul 1800 pounds.

 

[MADMAT]

Their is no future in any organized way for this sport. No matter how big anyone goes. No matter how complex the trick. It may continue to pop up in the occasional commercial or in the back ground at other events but I can't imagine that their is room for to many people to make a living off of this sport.

The only future for this sport is rider organized freeride and that part of it is just getting bigger and bigger. :headbang:

 

[Mark44]

Stay in school and get a degree. There is no money in this sport unless you want to live in the back of a box van and travel around to ski. Think of the future you are going to need money and health insurance.

Mark44

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

oh I totally agree with you, its just too bad the sport is like that. Any other sport someone young has a chance of making it, not saying that making it in a sport is the only way, its just kinda frustrating. Trust me I got plan and my school is all payed for, im gonna ride no matter what like I said and be completely happy doing it.

 

[AIRICCC]

some smart man said once C's=degrees... just do what you have to do to get by... college degrees are becoming like high school diplomas, practically everyone has one...

 

[GDFL]

Not that it applies to you, but you must get a degree that can get you a job that makes decent money. I have a cousin with a very high IQ, but she got a degree in Russian Anthropology and last I heard she was bartending in Denver.

I disagree when you say that a young person has no chance of making it. Not that he's young, but look at Pat Bogart. He's no Malone, but look at how far he has come completely on his own. Besides being an accomplished freestyler, he's a business owner and also has a decent share of the standup jetski accessory market. I think he has it figured out.....he's not trying to make a living by selling parts, but it's a nice supliment to his existing business and it has allowed him to be very innovative.

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

thanks for the encouragement if you wanna call it that, I dont really now Pats story but sounds like hes done okay and still has a career. I just need to move outta this small town.

 

[RoyalFlush@PCB]

You don't necessarily need a 4 year degree, but you must get on some sort of career path or you won't have the money to ride. Bouncing from job to job isn't the way to buy a lightweight hull or a lamey or probably even a $1000 squarenose. Money isn't the most important thing in the world but it's what buys your parts and gas. I don't get to ride nearly enough because I'm working too many hours, but it'll eventually pay off when I can be like Chick and take sick days when the surf is nice and ask my wife for a WF hull for Christmas.:biggthumpup: School sucks bad, but you have to man up and do what it takes to secure a decent career. You're not going to make money riding jetski's for a living and I'd say that the standup custom market is pretty much full at the moment, but you could possibly look into being a jetski mechanic or salesperson or something like that.

Here's something important that I think way too many people fail to do. Look at yourself today and think about where you would like to be in 10 years, 20 years, and retirement. Is the path you're on now going to get you where you want to be? If not, where will it get you and would you be happy with that? I know that life changes and even people on a perfect path can crash and burn, but in general it will work. If you want to be retired at 55 with a garage full of toys, you more than likely aren't going to get there by jumping from one $8/hr job to another.
rant over

Thanks, I guess. :dunno:

I still don't get more than two rides a week at best, but part of that is my fault. Aside from the business and the family, I have numerous projects that I need or want to complete. It is a given that I will take off work when the surf is good, but sometimes I still am not able to because of other priorities. For instance, I missed a ride on Monday with some friends because I had to go pick up one of the business' trucks that had a utility bed installed. I did go yesterday because we have been having some decent surf, but I didn't get to ride where I preferred because I was solo----something I hate doing and rarely do. Going solo also means that I don't push myself to try tricks that I would like to which is why I feel like I'm stuck at my current level.

What it boils down to for DaUpJetskier is that he needs to set his PRIORITIES. This may be going to school or getting training elsewhere in a particular field OR it could mean going and doing a few shows to see where it takes him. Pesonally, I believe he'll find it easier to make a living doing something other than jetskiing. If he chooses to do the shows (traveling abroad can be very cool) I would suggest setting a time limit---say one or two years max---that he re-evaluate his priorities and make changes as necessary. Nothing wrong with giving it a shot, just realize that it may not be the best career choice in terms of "making it" in this world.

 

[hobbyz]

some smart man said once C's=degrees... just do what you have to do to get by... college degrees are becoming like high school diplomas, practically everyone has one...

and 'D' is for Diploma... 4 years ago I couldn't spell graduate, now I are one... hurray for school

 

[Idok]

you dont have to go to school forever to make good money....find something that makes you happy and stick with it....


if you like what you do, it'll never feel like youre gonig to work......trust me on that one.....

 

[justride]

what has Rob Bort done, is he a top pro?
JUSTRIDE,
that's where the FUN is.....

 

[steve802cc]

Do what ever you have to do to get a good job. I don't think there is a career opertunity in jetskiing.

Then work hard and play hard.

Steve

 

[vitaly]

That is the plan. They have the freakin life. If I didn't hate people and hate mouths I'd be all over it.

I believe a dentist has to hate people to be successfull, so you are halfway there.