Freestyle Limited class of Freestyle in competition

[baxt3r]

I'm looking at it from the standpoint that people are going to be intimidated by even thinking they are going to have to compete against people on high-dollar boats. A new competitor might have fun at 2 events while getting beat handily, and then he will probably rethink spending the money and time on going to events.

If I were to compete, it would be in Region 7. There are 7 states in this region and a lot of driving in order to reach events. The closest event to me, based on the 2011 calendar, was 3 hours away. After that, I'm doing some serious driving. Seeing as how I'm kind of on a budget and all, I can't afford to spend $1000 for a couple of 2-minute routines (Gas, hotel, entry fees, etc).

I'll also add that I am NOT a fan of adding classes to people can compete, except in this case. It's a foot in the door. A way for a new competitor to learn the ropes and get a little experience without having to worry about the guy on a carbon Rickter with a SS865 all worked over. That's one helluva mental hurdle to clear, even if the guy on the Rickter sucks.

Worst case, you could have limited/beginner class riders do their runs between race heats. It is a litttle boring watching people putt around trying to get lined up before a race. This way it takes no real additional time to run the class. You're not blocking off time for a class that may not have enough riders for a field. Judging would be easy enough if there are mandatory tricks that have to be preformed. I don't see how it would be any problem to run it like that. What's it going to hurt to try?

 

[zeski25]

This will never happen because IJSBA does not care about freestyle, even pro class has limits!

 

[onlyFX-1]

Maybe one day someone will put together a freestyle tour of it's own. I was pretty disappointed to find out some of the comps will be in the ocean. It's flat water freestyle not surf freeriding! Also in order to do the whole tour it cost thousands of dollars just so you can get 120 seconds of ride time, that's just no bueno!!

 

[EvanKrefski]

In this new class or all the different classes i think they should be devided up by motor. Hull should not matter.
Amature: 800cc and down
Export or improved stock: 900 and down
Pro: Unlimited.

I guess it came down to if you wanna win in pro you have to spend the big bucks. But really all of us know how expensive the sport is and it will not be changing anytime soon....... Well BOB back flip on a budget... but other that that.

 

[Matt_E]

If you stipulate hull shouldn't matter, you'll very quickly be back up at a 20k ski even for the entry level class.

 

[DK-Freestyle]

^^ Exactly. The point of having the lowest level class a small motor and OEM hull is to make it affordable and to attract new people. Allowing Aftermarket hulls is going to boost the competitive price point by at least $5k.

 

[baxt3r]

A stock class that you can only compete in for a season or two has to be a good start.

If some peopl don't think IJSBA listens, this is a perfect time to start your own tour.

It's not a truly direct comparison, but Incredible Technologies used to be the biggest event producer when it came to Golden Tee. They dropped the ball and now one company is coming on strong and laying the groundwork for something huge. The difference here is that IJSBA can't cut off a jet ski. Incredible Technologies can turn your $5,000 machine into a paperweight (well, make it only usable for offline play, so useless). Like I said, it isn't a perfect comparison, but when one company drops the ball, there is an opportinity.

Perhaps create a tour where local people put on the event and pay a portion to a pot for a world championship event. No travel is involved for production staff. No office needed. Some generous soul could build a website and set up animal address that could be monitored by people depending on region.

LDA (Long Drivers of America)does something very similar. The local qualifiers are put on at a location and the location gets to keep some of the entry fees to cover expenses. Obviously some locations will make more money, or some producers would make more because they put on more events or have larger turnouts, but it could create a competitive product and offer an alternative.

I am not really putting much thought into this idea, but I feel like it's possible.

 

[Scorn800]

That will never happen because the jetski/racing scene is so small. The IJSBA provides insurance for the jetski events so you would need to find that before anything.
I raced from 06-09 and the most freestyle guys to show up was 7 at a local event. Why have 3 classes for 7 people?
You can't even buy a new stand up anymore so why make another class?
If you want to compete show up and ride your ass off.
Look at Brendon "thin mint" from PA. He was just a kid competing on a stock sj and now rides for EME.
It can be done with skills not more classes or interweb bs

 

[baxt3r]

Well, if only 7 people show up, they should just can freestyle altogether. It obviously doesn't draw anyone in.

 

[WILKEY]

I think sponsors should be more involved with putting young good riders on big motors. You may get some progression....... I'm sorry but freestyle is the most boring thing I have ever witnessed. If freestyle is gonna take off regular routines won't cut it. I think a course with stuff you have to do tricks over would be sick. Throw a grind rail in there. If you add danger to the sport it makes it more interesting. Imagine having some structures different heights. U get to choose the height and trick you want to do over it. That's where your nuts will shine.

 

[yamaslut]

shiny nuts.... yeah!!! ha

 

[WILKEY]

Wax um on up hahaha

 

[Tmart]

As nice as it sounds, I really don't see them adding another. My thought is that hopefully a beginner will enter an amateur competition with a limitied based setup and a carbon hull, and rock the competition and put things into perspective. i know the advantage everybody else will have over him will be huge, but i think that somebody who knows their ski like the back of their hand and isn't afraid of failure, can serious make things happen.

 

[tensecrnr]

I think its an awesome idea... Then i can get out there and throw some huge stabs...lol

 

[scooby0u812]

Folks im new to all this but looking at things to better my 94 fx1 i would have to take another job to compete. and i made 75550 last year. after reading what people said in this thread it seems like the freestyle is the actual driving force in these meets. kinda like nascar. people used to got to the races to see the crashes. but now that there arent as many crashes, nascar ticket sales have gone down. maybe if the pro freestyle riders kinda boycotted this until organizers put in more classes we would get more classes. what happens if the mojority of the ticket sales are due to the freestyle and they show up but there are no freestyle riders? you would have a domino effect. the racers would feel it and the promoters would feel it. it would put a hurt on the pocket book. or maybe some of the pros should start thier own series. just a thought

 

[jMike]

What if Pro needed to be split into 2 classes/segments? Pro (1000cc+ AM hulls) and Pro lights (< 1000cc AM hulls).

Most of the guys in Am are doing pro level tricks and combos anyways and if you can buck up for a hull and engine then you're in the shark tank. .

Then there would be a room for Am to have the 800cc OEM hull rule.

No two classes, just a different scoring group for pro/pro lights and a rule change for Am.

I it would give a nice build up and dynamic in pro, run the lights first and save the big bore, big air 1200cc monsters for last.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Drunk Texas rednecks trashing the place!!! R5 guys really screwed things up for us R7 guys. Wait, wasn't the azz that screwed up Tupelo for us ALSO a R5 guy???
I think he was!!! Lets get hammered down drunk, get on a 90mph couch, look behind us at FULL THROTTLE while in a pond, hit a concrete storm drain, dam near kill ourselves, AND THEN SUE THE RACE VENUE, PROMOTER, LOCAL, AND EVERYONE INVOLVED!!! THE F-TARD SHOULD HAVE SUED HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry Jett, rant over.....

Gil, Trace Mills Steering cable broke. That is why he hit the concrete damn....... Cannot verify if he was drinking. He did attempt to sue The City of Tupelo, Surf & Turf Promotions and the APBA............ And yet I had "Heard" that a friend had "Paid" for all of his medical expenses.....

As far as Who Messed up Nashville? Cannot blame one Region or another. There were plenty of cases of abuse.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I have given up on freestyle and competing for various reasons.

1. Cost - We made a choice for my wife to stay at home with our daughter.
2. The IJSBA/APBA(Defunt) has completely lost site of the goals of Amateur vs Pro level competition. Amateur is someone who is just learning or their skill level is just that. Amateur is just that Amateur, skill level that is nowhere near the Pro Level.
2A. The equipment today of an Amateur blows away the Pro Level from just 4 years ago. I do not have $20,000 to go out and spend on a new ski and motor package. You can get an Amateur and put him on a 900cc Freak and if he can half ride he will pull flips with with just about guarantee a win. I went to one competition last year. (I watched), They guy that won could pull off back flips. But his routine was not thought out, did not flow and had very little variety. He did flips and a roll. I will say he did progress through the year and appeared to get better.

 

[d_moss]

why not limit just the pump and prop.

beginner class can run stock pump and like a 9/15 prop. then what ever hull motor you want. Or shallower prop idk. But at some point the traction pretty much limits the ski no matter what the motor. I put a 650 in my js550 pump and skat 15* prop and that thing hardly moved till you got on plane. But with the 550 it was what it needed.

You need to be able to compete realistically at under 10k more like 6-8k for this sport to grow at all. You can buy a brand new kx250f for $6500, go straight to the track and be competitive and win races.

But judged sports are lame and will always be unfair. Dk freestyle in the same class and the 10 year old girl on the square or what ever it was is not a competition really. more like just go out and show off and have fun and thats all good too.

They should add a class too. Like freestyle big air. V wake each rider gets 2 shots right after another to pull what ever trick they can.

 

[baxt3r]

I like the big air contest idea. That would be great. The airs and the bails.