PWC OFFSHORE & ENDURANCE RACING

The intent of this page is to focus on specific endurance racing related issues and items.  Although most of the other pages on this site can be applied to racing, this page focuses exclusively on race related items.  

You will find on this page:
1.  Pictures of the Long Beach to Catalina and back race course (approximate) 
2.  Pit Crew Process For Enduraces Races on Lakes (Such as the Mark Hahn 300 Mile Endurance Race or the Walts Race) 
3.  Pit Crew Process For Ocean Races Such as The LB2CAT and Back Race  

PWCOFFSHORE is selecting no more than 10 riders: From across the continental United States to be part of the group.  If you are one of the best offshore endurance racers in the United States, please send us your race resume for review.  Selection Criteria:  1).  Rider is able to get from Long Beach to Catalina Island and back in less than 60 minutes during one of the offshore national championship races, OR.... 2).  You are able to travel 58 miles in the open ocean in 60 minutes or less (The equivalent of getting to Catalina Island and back to Long Beach in 60 minutes or less).  OR.... 3).  An offshore and endurance rider who has truly differentiated themselves in some capacity - rider will be expected to please explain.  4) You must be over 21.  5)  You must want to represent our sport with class and take part in growing our great sport.  Please contact us for more detailed information regarding terms and expectations.  Send a race resume and note of interest to pwc@pwcoffshore.com 

PWCOFFSHORE and FLORIDA TEAMMOTO ALLIANCE:
For the 2008 season, PWCOFFSHORE.com has created an alliance with Florida's own TeamMoto run by Skip Holmes.  We are very pleased  to have formed an alliances with Skip and Florida TeamMoto.  PWCOFFSHORE remains extremely selective on who we work with - with Skip Homes it was and remains an easy decision.  Skip and his team are a wealth of information and have raised the bar with regard to creating and testing after market parts and solutions for the 250X.  We are excited that Skip Holmes has decided to pursue performance craft focused on the offshore niche.  PWCOFFSHORE will utilize its offshore riders' expertise as a basis for generating data and information to be utilized by Skip and TeamMoto to build one of the best offshore craft the industry has seen.  We look forward to working with Skip and his team.    

Below - Google Maps Picture ot the start line for the Long Beach to Catalina and Back Race (Approximate Lat and Longs)

 
Below - Google Maps Picture of the Turn Point for the Long Beach to Catalina Race (Approximate Lat and Longs):

Below:  Goggle Map Picture of the race course from Long Beach to Catalina Island and BacK: 

Below, Tech Inspection Area:



1.  PWC Endurance Racing Pit Crew Processes and Practices For Endurance Races on Lakes

Pit Crew Member Two
1.  Assist in transporting fuel to craft
2.  Carry Zuck up bibs to the craft (Zuck up bibs are cloth that absorb spilled fuel).  
3.  Removes and replaces gas cap back on craft after fueling and close hood (if necessary)
4.  Between pits, refuels quick fill fuel system

Pit Crew Member Three  
1.  Brings water stand to the water as the rider pits and places in the water at the appropriate depth (Should be done quickly). 
2.  "Hooker" Hook the craft and assist in guiding the craft up onto the water-stand
3.  Brings fuel and water to the rider.
4.  Assist in steadying the craft during fueling.
5.  Have extra set of goggles ready for rider (ask if he/she needs them)
6.  When fueling is complete, push craft to deeper water if shallow fueling area (to ensure no rocks are sucked into craft).  
7.  Records rider's lap-time and communicates average lap-times to the rider during Pit stops   
8.  Between pits, Assist in refueling quick fill system.

Pitting Gear and Supplies:
1.  If out of water fueling is required, a four wheel drive ATV or Rhino is always nice!
2.  Should you bring an ATV, ensure it is a four wheel drive ATV (With differential lock / preferred).
3.  If out of the water fueling is required, consider a beach trailer (Attached to ATV or Rhino - see below for ATV).  
   a.  Aquacarts  b.  Atlanticjetsports c. Big-Foot
(many of the beach carts float - consider finding a way to weigh then down - many put water in the tres).  If you have a small, regular single trailer, use that. 
4.  If there is a requirement to remove the craft from the water for refueling and you don't have an ATV, a four by four truck is recommended.
5.  Zuck up bibs for wiping up fuel spills
6. Have an extra set of goggles treated with lenses treated with Rainx     
7. Clipboard to record lap-times
8. A timepiece with stop watch function to track lap times
9. Aluminum PWC stand for refueling in the water (if in water fueling is authorized).  Riva's Option
10. Extra oil (ensure it matches the oil and weight currently in the PWC).
11.  Cold weather gear for the rider prepared in case the weather turns.
12.  All of the appropriate tools for hasty repairs of the craft.(most hot pits do not allow wrenching in the hot pit so be prepared to displace the craft and tools to a location outside of the hot pits) 
13.  Extra set of spark plugs     
14.  Water pack for the rider (like mountain bikers wear, should the weather get warm, you may need this).
15.  Access to an extra PWC available to tow your craft should your race craft have a mechanical or run out of fuel on the craft.  This tow craft must be docked or stowed somewhere outside the hot-pits (remember to have a tow line in the craft and a fresh battery). 
16.  Cell phone in the race craft and a cell phone on the crew chief.  This enables the rider to communicate with the crew chief should he/she have a mechanical on the course.   
17.  Ensure you have adequate food and water in the pits for the pit crew.    
18.  Extra Rainx spray
19.  Large funnel
20.  **If you are pitting in loose sand with an ATV and the race requires the craft to be fueled out of the water, we highly recommending purchasing 7ft x 50ft of chain link fence (70.00).  The fence will provide a stable surface to pull your craft in and out of the water & your quad is significantly less likely to get stuck (Thank you Dave Tew and Young). See picture below
21.  Spare goggles for the riders.  Consider cycling clean Rainxed goggles to the rider during each pit.

PWC Parts Available In The Pit:
(Remember, no wrenching in the pits so be prepared to displace to a predesignated location outside of the hot-pits). 
1.  Consider an extra impeller                                                                            Look closely below - see chain link fence
2.  Extra Spark Plugs
3.  Extra oil
4.  Rags

6.  We suggest you practice pitting procedures at least one week before the race. 

ATV/Tow Vehicle
1.  You will need an ATV or a Rhino to pull your craft out of the water to fuel out of the water (10 feet from the water line).
2.  The quad should be a 4x4 quad, a large Utility quad is recommended (sport ATVs do not work). 
3.  Consider upgrading your tires to a mud tire such as Mudlites.


2.  Pit Procedures For The Long Beach To Catalina and Back Race
 
The good news here is that there is very little need for a pit crew for the Long Beach to Catalina and back race.  There is no refueling so the only assistance the racer may need is being towed to the start line to preserve fuel and trailer support i.e. helping get the craft into and out of the water.   Technically, unlike the Mark Hahn race where you must have and need a pit crew, you can get by without a pit crew for the LB2CAT race.  

"PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY - WILL POWER" 

Burping Your Craft's Fuel Tank:  You will need a completely full gas tank for the LB2CAT Race.  If you're not familiar with the concept of "burping" your PWC's gas tank to ensure you utilize as much of the gas tank as possible, here it is:         
1.  Back your truck onto the launch ramp so that your craft is at an angle with the bow of the craft in the up position on the trailer.
2.  Remove your craft's gas cap and add fuel to the rim (don't spill).
3.  Gently move the craft back and forth with your hand by gently sharing the craft from left to right.
4.  Add fuel again, and go through the shaking process again.  You will notice that you are removing air and allowing for more surface area for the fuel.  
5.  Continue this process until you can no longer add fuel (don't spill).

3.  Navigation:

1.  Make sure your lat and longs are accurate!
2.  Many use two GPS ystems per craft (recommended) - if your GPS is on "Route" function snd you don't reach your destination exactly or the turn boat has moved/drfted, the route function doesn't register that you "arrived" and continues to point at the lat and long.  If you have two GPS systems, you don't have to worry about this, especially for the LB2CAT race as you have only two destinations - they are the turn boat and the finish line.  If you are racng a longer course like the Hahn, it is recommended that you input the two turns that are the longest and most critical for navigational accuracy.   You do not want to stop at a destination to input a new GPS destination during a race, you lose too much time.    
3.  There are multiple ways of mounting your GPS.  The picture below is the $5.00 method using a sponge and duct tape.
4.  The logic behind the sponge is to use it as a shock absorber from the pounding that your craft will take when the seas are up.   Allow the duct tape to dry in the sun for 24 hours for best performane.    
 
Pic below: Top mounted GPS - note that the positioning of the GPS forward enables the standing rider to effectively stand and also see GPS without compromising riding position when looking down at theGPS    

Double (Two) mounted GPS:


(Below) Picture of the Lobster GPS Mount:


"NO SURRENDER"

4.  Training (Consult with your doctor prior to starting any training regime, we are not doctors nor do we have any training in nutrition consult with a nutritionist prior to taking any Supplements or changing your diet):
1.  The primary areas of your body you need to train are your legs, glutes, lower back,, lats, forearms and hands.  Sounds like your entire body, the priority is your legs.
2.  Buy a mountain bike and hit the trails, go long and hard.  Work up to at least fifty miles prior to a race.
3.  Hit the gym and work hard, minimum four days a week.  
4.  Legs:  Squats, extensions, deep knee bends, cav extensions and multipe good old deep knee bends, yes deep knee bends - they work.  Go all the way down, and all the way up.  Hold the position at 90 degrees after 100. 
5.  Lats:  Pull downs, bent over rows, pull ups.      
6.  Hydrate!  Drink water! This is incredibly critical.  Drink plenty of water and consider wearing a waterpack when your're riding or training.   
6.  Nutrition:  What we do - if you smoke, quit.  If you drink alcohol heavy, quit.  If you drink in moderation, don't drink for 48 hours prior to the endurance race.  If you eat fast food, quit.  Consider lean meats, lots of fruit and vegetables, complex carbs such as brown rice.  Use common sense.  Consult with a nutritionist and have them address your diet and possible supplements. 
7.  Supplements one of our racer takes (consult with your doctor prior to taking any supplements):  Creatine, Protein Powder with Glutamine, MultiVitamin, B-Vitamins, Alpha Leupaic Acid (Anti-oxidant). Glucosamine with Chondroitin and MSM for the joints and Omega 3 Fatty Acids.   

Training for your throttle finger and hands/forearms: Below is a picture of a hand strengthening device that you can purchase at most Sportsmart Stores:  


Picture below is of the hand and finger strengthening device - a great buy

Below is another type of hand strengthening device that also works more aggressively on your forearms:

Safety Gear for Racers
1.  In addition to the safety equipment listed on the other pages on this site, we encourage you to consider a neck collar, click here for the SPARCO version 
2.  Do not go cheap on your helmet, buy a quality helmet 

Purchase High Quality Gloves