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.

This is the first ever coverage of a ProForce 2.0 build, so glad you are here to follow along as the project progresses.

Chris Hagest at Pro Watercraft Racing has put in countless hours, research, and detail into developing a completely new aftermarket racing stand up jet ski hull. That effort shows in the quality carbon & fiberglass work, how accurately everything lines up, and most importantly – how the ski performs on the race course.

This ProForce 2.0 features:
Full carbon fiber build with a visual carbon center
Bottom hull formed for Kawasaki 1500cc four stroke power plant
Medium metal flake paint
Custom Jettrim mats
Optional rear fuel tank
Front F1 inspired bumper
Ultra handlepole
Dual exit exhaust

Take a sneak peek at this ProForce 2.0 as it comes together at Chris’s shop in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Yep – that is right – hand made in the good ‘ol USA!

Stay tuned for future parts of this build, she is a beauty!

The post Build: ProForce 2.0 Part 0 – Sneak Peek appeared first on Stand Up Jet Ski.

First update is – IPD graphics! I know…this was done back in the early days, but here is the documentation. A GP race ski is no good without graphics

In addition to the IPD graphics (see install tutorial on The Watercraft Journal here), Stephen also opted for the bumpers. Check out the first bumper ride video below!

Next is the Solas 140 pump has been changed to a 145 Skat-Trac setback pump. The Solas was not a bad pump, but the Skat setback just gives that extra hookup that is oh-so-nice! First ride with the new pump below.

And finally – new engine time! A bored-out semi-high comp beast from Ultimate Watercraft Performance now powers this GP ski.

Check out the two-part GP ski engine build videos below:

Stay tuned for a – shall I give it up – second ProForce build….?
Here are some more ProForce videos for your viewing pleasure!

Follow along with the build here and my social media on Facebook & Instagram

The post Project: ProForce GP Ski Build Part 2 – New Bits appeared first on Stand Up Jet Ski.

Seriously the nicest build quality I’ve ever seen. Tray is enormous, hull is actually pretty big too. Should be a monster!

The freight company missed the delivery time so instead of letting them try again we went down to the hub and picked it up ourselves. No freight damage thankfully.

Since my Krash came inside for the final build the ProForce went straight in. All the parts were bubble wrapped inside the hull.

Crank came back from being rebuilt so we assembled the bottom end in the wash bay haha.

Now comes the good part. Dropped the bottom end into the hull and everything lined up beeaaaauutifully for test fitting.

Pump, driveshaft bearing support and coupler install was mint. No shims, lined up like an OEM hull. Craftsmanship is amazing.

After Mother’s Day festivities we spent part of the day assembing the top end and tapping the manifold and exhaust chamber. Damn it is a big ‘ol 2 stroke!

Head is on and just need to mask for paint now.

Engine assembled, in and run for the first time. Maiden was yesterday. Wow. What a machine!! Video below.

Follow along with the build here and my social media on Facebook & Instagram

Check out part 2 here!

The post Project: ProForce GP Ski Build Part 1 – Assembly appeared first on Stand Up Jet Ski.