I started to get into motorsports with vehicle restoration when I was 8 years old, from that point I started to modify vehicles for car shows and also drag racing.  When I turned 19 my good friend taught me how to ride a motorcycle and I picked up a 2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R for my first bike.  I had never ridden a motorcycle before by myself, and I needed to be to work by 3 pm. I picked my bike up from a shop that was 30 miles away from my job at Noon (so I learned quickly how to ride). 

From then on I knew I loved speed and anything that went fast. I also loved water sports very much, anywhere from wakeboarding, water skiing, scuba diving, or fishing. My family and I always went mountain biking, hiking, wilderness camping when I was younger.

Ride Stand Ups: How did you get into stand ups?
Bryan Stellick: I started to ride stand up jet skis because two very good friends got me to jump on their skis, and I was hooked! Every chance I got to go hang out with them I did, and when they would bring their skis out they would let me have a go on them. 

I also loved to go to the races they were a part of, cheer them on, and support them as they raced. I also met a lot of really good people at race events. So from then I picked up my own ski, a 1991 Yamaha Superjet 650 and started practicing with them.

Ride Stand Ups: Was it difficult to learn to ride a stand up ski? As a new stand up rider, tell us about the learning process!
Bryan Stellick: The learning portion of how to ride a stand up ski was not very difficult for me due to my sports background.

When starting out you first need to be able to control the throttle and the way the ski turns because it is not how you would expect. Also, get used to the controls for starting and stopping the ski just in case you need to in an emergency. 

The first thing I did to get used to the ski I was riding was to start the ski up with plenty of space in front with no obstacles around, and start riding the ski with my knees in the tray without standing up to get used to how the ski handles and throttle.

From there it was not very difficult for me to stand up because of wakeboarding and other sports you need balance, but even if you fall a couple of times it is ok and you just need to try again.

For the steering portion of the ski – it can sometimes be backward from what you would normally think. This is like a motorcycle and with my riding background I was used to it. But for those of you who don’t know, without proper body position, the steering can react backward over a certain speed because of weighting the tray improperly.

So for the first little bit of very slow movement, the steering is: turn the bars to the left to go left, and right to go right. At higher speeds when you turn the handlebars right, if you do not lean into the right turn with the stand up, the ski could lean to the left and turn left. Most likely with you falling off as it becomes unresponsive to steering.

The hardest part for me was to lean forward more, it felt unnatural. I also had trouble with leaning my body out of the ski’s tray when cornering and keeping on the throttle to stay up in the corners. This process I am still working on! I do have two good friends and “coaches” to help me with this!  Other than that – it is just having fun and enjoying the water.

Ride Stand Ups: Let’s move on to some favorites! What is your favorite part about riding stand ups and what is your favorite ski?
Bryan Stellick: My favorite part about riding stand ups is the speed and control it takes from your body to move the machine across the water, it feels great. When you have a good group of friends, doing it together makes for a really fun time to hang out. 

To me, it is in a way kind of like motorcycles. It does not matter what you ride, it is like being in a family. For those of you who don’t know or have not seen it, when motorcyclists pass each other we wave to each other out of respect for one another. I get that same sense with riding stand ups as well.

As for as a favorite ski – I would have to say so far it has been a Pro Watercraft Racing ProForce.

Ride Stand Ups: What do you currently ride, and as a new stand up rider, what are your future riding goals?
Bryan Stellick: I currently ride a 1991 Yamaha Superjet 650, it is fun but I was spoiled by the other stand ups I had the privilege to ride when I first started. I am still getting used to riding this ski, as it is very tippy from side to side, but dealing with that just comes with practice!

My future goal is to have a newer Superjet or SXR and possibly start racing here and there when an event comes to town.

Ride Stand Ups: How do you train/practice to reach your goals?
Bryan Stellick: I found out that the muscles that I use for balancing on a jet ski are not used often in everyday life, so they tend to be a little weaker. I have been going to the gym to increase stamina for cardio, and also working on muscle strength for balancing in corners. 

I do rowing for working on my core along with other workouts, and leg presses and squats to help keep my legs in good shape to handle bending and absorbing the shock of the ski while riding. A lot of this is for conditioning to ride for longer distances without getting exhausted.

Riding stand ups also has a metal side of it – and that is not to give up on something that is hard and keep giving it your best because you can overcome and adapt!

Ride Stand Ups: Outside of skis, what other things do you like to do?
Bryan Stellick: I love to play golf with my wife and friends, hiking up mountains, off-road biking through the woods. I love to go kayaking and fishing with friends, cooking (when I feel like it), playing games whether console or board games. I enjoy cooking out with friends and watching movies, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. Family and friends and I like to go zip lining, or white water rafting….pretty much anything outdoors.

Ride Stand Ups: Thank you so much for sharing your story Bryan! What advice do you have for fellow people interested in learning how to ride stand ups?
Bryan Stellick: The advice I would have for anyone that is interested in learning is to learn your basics and to keep practicing. Do not to give up, and if you are lucky like I was, get together with friends to learn the process together. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how to ride, because once you are standing up and riding it is a blast to do! You will have some much fun riding a stand up!

Thank you very much for having me!

The post New Stand Up Rider Interview: Bryan Stellick appeared first on Stand Up Jet Ski.

Ride Stand Ups : You’ve had quite a career in the watercraft industry and racing scene; what made you choose racing stand ups and what is your greatest riding accomplishment? 
Chris Hagest: Racing came naturally to me, 1992 was my first year. I spent 2 years in Novice, 3 more in Expert and then went Pro in 1997, back down to Expert in 2012. Currently, I consider myself an amateur. My favorite accomplishment has to be always coming from the back of the pack and winning. I did that a lot. I think my all-time favorite trophy is winning Novice slalom at the 93 world finals. 

Ride Stand Ups : What inspired you to build your own custom hull and handling parts at Pro Watercraft Racing?
Chris Hagest:  I’ve always had the desire to develop the PWC. Since I started racing I always was confused about how one turn was perfect and the next was so not. When I met Kanamori he became my inspiration, I owe a lot to him and I loved my job at Kawasaki for many years. The ProForce is not a slight spin-off of another model. I worked almost every angle to improve the interaction with the rider and the water. I wanted it to be the best possible in my mind. 

Ride Stand Ups : What problems have you faced and overcome in this industry, and what do you do outside of skis? 
Chris Hagest: Finding the right balance, struggling with time invested and financial support. It was a very challenging 3 years. No time for other hobbies, family, and work, this is my current life. I love it. 

Ride Stand Ups : How is today’s jet ski scene different from years ago? 
Chris Hagest: So much has changed hard to list it all. What I can say is those that love the sport are the ones that are still here. 

Ride Stand Ups : Is there anything you would like to see done differently/add to in the current ski industry/racing world? 
Chris Hagest: Yes, for sure more respect for the riders. The effort put into a Pro racing program vs. the return is not balanced. The organizers could put more effort into highlighting the winners. I think this could just benefit all involved. 

Ride Stand Ups : Who is your greatest role model? 
Chris Hagest: Do I have to have just one? Jacob for style, Macc for grit, Rius for being French, Rob Flores for finally hanging it up. Just joking overall there’s no better role model than my wife. 

Ride Stand Ups : Chris, thank you so much for your time! A bonus question here for the readers: what advice would you give to other racers and people learning to ride? 
Chris Hagest: Follow chixwithtrix! Hang out with those that make you smile a lot of good times come from this. 

The post Interview: Chris Hagest of Pro Watercraft Racing appeared first on Stand Up Jet Ski.