2009 United Warrior Personal Watercraft Freedom Ride

2009 United Warrior Personal Watercraft Freedom Ride

PWC Freedom Riders raise funds on behalf of the United Warrior Survivor Foundation

Dates: September 11-12, 2009

Locations: Los Angeles Port, to San Diego Harbor, California USA

On behalf of United Warrior Survivor Foundation, the United Warrior PWC Freedom Riders will launch from Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro and ride south to the Naval Amphibious base located on Coronado Island, California, and back again. The open ocean ride of 280 miles along the California Coastline will be a memorial fundraiser on behalf of UWSF surviving spouses of our fallen Special Operations Warriors since 9-11.

The United Warrior PWC Freedom Ride commences on September 11, 2009. On the anniversary of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks against our nation. We Will Never Forget.

The United Warrior PWC Freedom Riders on September 11^th will complete the final course and safety checks in Los Angeles, CA at Cabrillo Beach. Freedom Riders on personal watercraft (PWC) will make the trek on September 12^th at 6:30am departing the safety of the Angel’s Gate from the Los Angles Port heading offshore into the Pacific Ocean. Refueling stops will be tasked at select marinas along the southern coastal route. Support teams will be at select checkpoints. The ride can be tracked online throughout the day.

The United Warrior PWC Freedom Ride will stop at the Glorietta Bay boat launch deep inside the San Diego Harbor in the early afternoon. The group will then refuel and head back to San Pedro California. The turnaround point under the blue steel support beams of the Coronado Bay Bridge will symbolize the memorial ride. The Coronado Bay bridge arched supports is a local landmark off the Naval Amphibious base where Special Forces warriors train. K38 Water Safety first began training USMC Recon Marines here in 1996 and enjoys this honor to date with other divisions.

The United Warrior PWC Freedom Riders are American Watercraft Association (AWA) H2O Responder Members. These UWSF supporters are experienced PWCoffshore Endurance Riders. Each rider and vessel is fitted with safety equipment. They have extensive navigational skills operating in the Southern California coastal waters in all seasonal conditions. Their fundraising efforts begin on June 18^th. These riders support their individual expenses and pilot their own Personal Watercraft. The initial fundraiser campaign has launched with a $2,000 charitable contribution to UWSF. Please support us in our goal of reaching $25,000 on behalf of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

How can you support the UWSF PWC Freedom Ride?

Sponsor a charitable donation on behalf of the PWC Freedom Riders by making a financial contribution to the non-profit UWSF. Follow this link: http://www.UWSF.org

About the United Warrior Survivor Foundation (UWSF)

The United Warrior Survivor Foundation is the only organization exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of the surviving spouses of Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations personnel killed in the line of duty since September 11, 2001.

About the United Warrior PWC Freedom Riders

Mike Arnold
United States Marine Corps retired from active duty service after twenty years. A ground pounder by trade, Mike started out as a 0311 Infantryman, worked through the ranks and served as an 8511 Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and a 0369 Infantry Platoon Sergeant. Served: MCRD SD, ITS, Marine BKS Subic Bay,STA 2/7, H Co. MCT, 2/3 Eco. Kaneohe Bay, WFTBN D range, PMI, MCRD SD Drill Instructor/Senior Drill Instructor Hco, 1/1 CAAT PLt Sgt, NCO School Drill Master, 1/1 Bco Wpns PLt. Sgt.(combat tour), and Assistant Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Southern California.

Russell Libby

Former United States Marine Corps LCPL, HMM-268 39th MAG, 3rd MAW. 1986-1990. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to show my support on behalf of the United Warrior Survivor Foundation on our PWC Freedom Ride. ‘You have not been forgotten, and we will never forget.’

Mark Gerner

Mark is founder of the PWCoffshore.com Endurance Champions Race team. A former United States Marine Corps Infantry Officer (0302), Veteran of Operation Desert Shield & Storm and highly skilled endurance champion racer.

Shawn Alladio

Personal Watercraft Boating Instructor for public safety agencies and special waterborne divisions of the US Army, USMC, USAF, US Navy and USCG. Founder of the K38 Way of Training that is represented in 14 countries worldwide. AWA H2O Responder program director, NSBC Instructor and Professional PWC Racer since 1989.

United Warrior PWC Freedom Rider Main Supporters

K38 Water Safety provides boating safety instruction to agencies such as fire rescue, law enforcement, lifesaving and special waterborne divisions of our nation’s military services. www.K38WaterSafety.com

American Watercraft Association (AWA)

National associate body for personal watercraft enthusiasts, members receive the award winning RIDE Magazine. Home of the AWA H2O Responders: www.AWAhq.org

Liquid Militia Clothing action sports apparel for active water sports enthusiasts: www.LiquidMilitia.com

PWCoffshore.com home of the Pro endurance race team and Gunz Racers for PWC offshore racing

CONTACTS:

UWSF Contact: Kelly Chott - UWSF Executive Director

(619) 437-1137 Office

(413) 677-1143 Fax

Kelly@UWSF.org

Homepage: www.UWSF.org Twitter: http://twitter.com/UWSF Blogger: http://uwsf.blogspot.com

2009 UWSF PWC Freedom Rider Supporters: PWCoffshore.com, AWA, Kawasaki Motors Corporation USA, Liquid Militia Clothing, OTB Boots, Mustang Survival, Hydro Turf, K38 GEAR, quakeysense, Yamaha Motors Corporation USA, SocalWatercraftclub.com, Watercraft World Magazine, IJSBA, RIDE Magazine, www.K38WaterSafety.com, www.DavidPuu.com , Fly Racing, R&D, Bombardier Sea Doo, Hot Products USA, K38 rescue

Fly Racing to Sponsor PWCOFFSHORE Watercraft Racing

Fly Racing to Sponsor PWCOFFSHORE Watercraft Racing

Fly Racing is pleased to announce the signing of Team PWCOFFSHORE.

PWCOFFSHORE is the premier offshore endurance watercraft racing team based in Southern California. The Team will wear Fly Racing’s lightweight helmets during its quest for offshore event wins and championships.

"I am very excited to have such a professional team with Fly Racing,” states Fly Racing’s Rich Kumm. “PWCOFFSHORE is the kind of team that will help the sport as well as local communities."

PWCOFFSHORE.com PWC (Jet Ski) Racing is comprised of founder Mark Gerner, Shawn Alladio, Robert Carreon, John Belton, Kim Bushong and David Walker, whom race at the Professional and Veteran/Master level. PWCOFFSHORE also sponsors competitive racers in the amateur ranks called PWCOFFSHORE Gunz Racing, made up of team riders Sean Conner and Ralph Perez. PWCOFFSHORE's technical advisors are Steve Friebe and Aaron Cress.

“I'm excited about this new relationship with Fly Racing. After reviewing their product line, I am extremely impressed with the quality and great looks of Fly's gear,” states Mark Gerner of PWCOFFSHORE. “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to wear Fly Racing products in the extremely demanding offshore PWC Racing niche. The gear we use needs to be the best the industry has to offer, I am confident Fly Racing's gear will fit right in!"

The offshore racers of Team PWCOFFSHORE have differentiated themselves with tremendous success in offshore and endurance racing, which has resulted in the very sought after selection to be one of the few PWCOFFSHORE Sponsored Racers. Fly Racing is proud to be on board as an official sponsor of PWCOFFSHORE and wishes all team members success in this year’s events.

For more information on Fly Racing products, visit www.flyracing.com. For more information about PWC Offshore Racing, go to www.pwcoffshore.com.

Wednesday's Child

WEDNESDAYS CHILD, By Shawn Alladio 5/2009

Ryan Levinson and Joe after our training session that ended early Wednesday evening pictured below.

We ran offshore on 3 Jet Skis. The goal is to find the break time of endurance. Starting out at clips of 3-5 miles of a fast run, a short break and repeating the reciprocal direction.

One of our riding goals is to develop landing strength for core stability on port and starboard, as well as the centerline of the craft fore and aft. The landings are always crucial, from the centerline of the craft, bow to stern, depending upon how we run the ocean, getting out of step can result in an injury or ejection from the craft.

We run triagulation patterns to build memory for both the decisions for craft handling and fast run stability, but not limited to taking loads against the hull at various water directions. Maintaining this load at a forward movement is not easy, as trim and throttle have to be constantly managed.

Peak peformance will come from a combination of trim/throttle control, environmental and trim choices underway at or near close peak of wide open throttle application. Many people can run a fast clip at one mile, but we are talking 60 mile jaunts, no backing off, no unequal loads and no ejections. That's PRIME TIME driving.

The ocean on Wednesday gave just enough clap to bring out the finer points of fatigue. The mindset of an operator is the brilliance of a finely crafted run. We train our minds, then our body to match the strength of our boat. Then apply increased speeds with applied timelines, and offset those by directional changes. This is where we find our level of mediocrity. When we find ourselves comfortable, it is time to push harder.

This is what we do. How we do it, matters on the water in the moment of decisiveness. Time limits compliment our breaking points, but we do not break our bodies down completely, we allow the push points to hold firm, then relax. When we have hit our max load, we retire.

The next transit run will depend upon weather and water. Running a course that is not familiar is important. When familiarity interrupts the level of desired output, we become weak. To surrender to that can translate into an injury. Not acceptable in my focus. If we cannot define everything we are operating with; boat, body, and water, and in step with forward movement 'at speed', we are not 'riding the ride'. We are merely talking about talk, and that story is boring and unacceptable, offering few moments of glory.

Training is nothing but preparation, until the battle begins, training is just time paid in. Those training results are exposed as a real world truth when we are placed under pressure, it reveals who you truly are. What are you made of?

The men I run with win. If they do not have the passion to excel, they will take themselves out of the equitable endurance of what drives a champion. Champions are those who have many layers of measured mindset connected to body execution. Having worked with thousands of athletes some things just stand out in human character. Passion is one element. When we run in teams, the team must win, simply put, it must. Whatever your boundary is, you own that, I prefer to drive through them and redefine the next movement.

I observe everything, above, below and within. I can choose who I train with, or they choose me. It depends upon the door. If I shut that door and that person still knocks and continues to knock and shows fortitude with strength and honor, the door opens. There are many who want to excel but are not willing to take themselves there. They believe there is some secret or stepping stone to leap from. Wrong.


That drive is internal and innate to character. It resides in the individual. I observe and I can spot one out of a group (If I'm lucky enough to have one there), you just know they are the real deal, nothing more said. In essence they will teach and lead themselves by example not by following or leading, but through duality in the moment of necessity. They simply go and put forth great effort in every movement. Their weakest moment can encompass anothers full moment, not acceptable in my book. If you want to run in a pack, you set the pace, you don't follow the pace. You push and drive the momentum beyond your pain or comfort.

At 48 years of age if I see a young pup falling behind me, disgrace, disgrace! They should be putting out beyond their comfort or my lead. Not acceptable. Weak minds and effort kill, they destroy synergy. People like this must go away or seriously ramp up. Of course the learning curve allows opportunity to trial, test and fail but the recovery is the weapon of choice, how you recover and respond is what makes the heart and soul of a spirited warrior, no matter what the discipline application is.

I had a student say he was afraid. That's honest and respectful. He said he didn't want to go back into the surf. That's honest. He said he was fearful because of his last experience. Now, here is the crutch. I challenged him to go back into the surf. Which he did. That was honorable. And immediately he created his prophecy. When the wave came he abandoned ship. Not acceptable. Fear is either going to enoble you to drive forward or it is going to kill. Passion and spirit diminish with fear, its is a bondage, a slavery of imagination.

I turned to him, 'are you hurt?'. 'No' he replied, 'but I'm scared and I dont' want to do this.' I said 'good, let's go'. He looked at me and he hesitated. One must simply go and accept the results within the boundaries of comfort. He was not hurt, the waves were not beyond his ability nor his craft, he was capable. But he crippled his mind so much and gave his power away to the ocean, instead of keeping it inside of himself. He threw himself away. His experience was yesterday. Today we go, with open minds to learn from our failures. If you continue to block your experiences because of a safety measure you create through fear, you will eventually call that out and damage yourself. There are moments where fear will save your life. But fear should not cripple you from your level of excellence. Keep Moving-Keep Thinking!

Do you see the message here? Most of you are intimate with it and could write novels on the subject of our spirited decisions and the relevance of going the distance and whatever results are derived. What motivates you? I know what my triggers are. I can define them and push that fold a little with each launch. Ryan defines it every single day because his situation forces him. If you are not being pressured you will turn feral on attitude. Keep primed, find inspiration. Folks like Ryan gift that to you through example.

After our ride, Ryan and Joe stepped up immediately without asking or having to be directed, they simply did what was needed to complete 'the ride after the ride'. These two go the distance to its ending. They aren't there just for the 'ride'. That is part of a champion's character. Examples are not looked for, they are set through action.

I rinsed off with the hose, changed my clothes at the boat launch and readied myself for the Water Safety Congress award I was to receive in 30 minutes at the Oceanside Yacht Club. Mike Alpha did a drive by and picked me up and we headed to the US Power Squadrons meeting where Paul Newman from the USCG 11th District did me the honors. A very fitting day. From family, friends, training and rewards. Our efforts matter, maybe not in our moment, but perhaps someone else's.


We will get there, one hot run at a time... We 'Ride the Ride'.



Double D-'The Ride After The Ride'

2009 Long Beach to Catalina & Back Offshore National Championship PWC Race

Press Release from R.P.M. Racing Enterprises

CONTACT: Ross Wallach - (310) 318-4012
rossdbos26@yahoo.com

REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA – May 18, 2009 - RPM Racing Enterprises released today the final details, plans and schedule for the 2009 APBA Offshore National Championship Long Beach 2 Catalina & Back PWC Race presented by Sea-Doo. Four separate racing events will comprise the Long Beach Power Fest which will take place over the weekend of July 11th & 12th, and are an integral part of the City of Long Beach’s summer long Sea Festival. In addition to the very fast Personal Water Crafts on Sunday morning the Long Beach Power Fest will feature the 61st Annual Long Beach to Catalina Water Ski Race on Saturday morning, and the 98th Annual Offshore Power Boat Challenge on Sunday. Just added for this year’s event is tunnel boat racing action as Round # 2 of the Western Formula Light Series (WFLS) makes its debut stop during Power Fest. These highly maneuverable 14’ long tunnel boats (cousins to the larger Formula One Tunnel boats) can literally “turn on the dime” and pull 4-6 g’s around the tight 7/8 mile course. The WFLS tunnel boats will race just outside of Rainbow Harbor (adjacent to Parker’s Lighthouse).

Ross Wallach, president of RPM Racing Enterprises said, “We’re very excited to bring these events; the world famous Long Beach to Catalina Ski Race, the famed Long Beach to Catalina & back PWC Offshore National Championship presented by Sea-Doo, the Western Formula Lights Series and the Pacific Offshore Racing Association’s Power Boat “Rum Run” Challenge, and being able to work with everyone involved to make this unbelievable event become a reality. The combining of forces offers a plethora of new opportunities to make this entire weekend an overwhelming success”.

Five classes of personal water craft including the “sportsman” first time racer class and the “manufacturer’s stock” classes to entice the average PWC enthusiast to participate are expected to swell the field to over 75 boats as the news of the weekend of racing stirs interest in the entire personal water craft community to enter and be a part of this momentous weekend. Offshore PWC racers from across the country are clamoring to get their entries in and compete with the elite West Coast group of offshore endurance experts try to break the new records in every class set last year for the challenging channel crossing.

The 2008 overall winner, Craig Warner, Corona, CA will be back again to defend his title on a Kawasaki Ultra 250X. Among the early entries are Mike Follmer, Newport Beach, CA on a Yamaha FZR, Mark Gerner, Aliso Viejo, CA on a Kawasaki ULTRA250X and Nick Vanis, Los Alamitos, CA on his factory Honda.

This race for the APBA Offshore National Championship will start off with a “rolling start” in Los Alamitos Bay near the Queen Mary in Long Beach at 8:00 AM by a flagman on an official vessel anchored in the harbor. The PWC’s will proceed from the start out through the Queens Gate entrance to the Los Angeles Harbor into the Pacific Ocean on a straight line across the channel to Catalina Island. Navigation always plays a large part in any offshore race but particularly here where racers lose sight of land and all fixed reference points at some time going in both directions. PWC racers are required to have a GPS system, compass, radio, cell phone and numerous other safety items in order to make the potentially dangerous crossing as safe as possible. When the PWC’s arrive at Catalina, they will have to negotiate around a three masted schooner with a large marker flying overhead that will be anchored one mile offshore and have race officials on board documenting their passage. With helicopters overhead guiding and filming the event, the fleet of PWC’s will proceed back to Long Beach along the same route they just traversed the channel on to reach the finish line just off the stern of the start/finish vessel. The entire event, as well as the other two events this Long Beach Offshore Power Fest weekend will be filmed for later editing and broadcast on the new, national Water Channel. The race is also expected to garner the largest and most diversified media coverage ever for boat racing because of the popularity of the three completely different types of races being run and the importance the City of Long Beach is placing on this weekend of events.

The renewed national interest in PWC racing and the emergence of the American Power Boat Association (APBA) as the sanctioning body and driving force in PWC racing have contributed to the promoter’s expectation that over 75 riders will be vying for titles in this race. In addition to the safety equipment required by the APBA rule book, several additional safety items will be required of the racers to insure a safe trip across the channel to Catalina and back, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Long Beach Lifeguards will be providing support for the events. An announcement will be made soon regarding which emergency water service has been contracted with to provide racers with towing and on the water emergency service, as well as the announcement of a host hotel that will serve as race headquarters.

Promoter Ross Wallach said, “I can guarantee everyone involved that I intend to raise the bar even higher with this event after what we learned from last year to ensure that every racer, fan and sponsor carries away enough memories to last them until next year along with some fantastic trophies for overall and class winners”. Race specifics and entry forms are forthcoming so be ready to enter soon because there will be no race day entries accepted.

All the components are converging to make this weekend of events the most talked about and must participate in extravaganzas of all time. Come to the Long Beach Sea Festival, Long Beach Power Fest, and race in the 2009 APBA Offshore National Championship Long Beach 2 Catalina & Back PWC Race presented by Sea-Doo and create your own memories.

For more information on the race and the weekend, please visit www.pwcoffshore.com or www.apbaracing.com. Ross Wallach can be reached at (310) 318-4012
==================
2009 LB2CAT, jet ski race, pwc offshore racing

2009 LB2CAT Race - ENTRY FORM now available!

The entry form for this year's 2009 Long Beach to Catalina and Back Offshore National Championship Race aka LB2CAT scheduled for July 12, 2009 is now available! Click here http://www.pwcoffshore.com/LB2CAT_Race_Page.html for the form and get your entry forms in ASAP! We are hearing some big names will be there and keep in mind that there will be multiple classes including Sportsman for first time offshore racers, "Bone stock" for completely stock craft, Amateur and Pro/Am. Come on out and be part of this epic event!!!

pwc racing, jetski racing, offshore racing
www.pwcoffshore.com

PWCOFFSHORE now has a forum focused on PWC offshore / PWC endurance riding and racing called www.PWCOFFSHOREFORUMS.com

4/24/2009: PWCOFFSHORE.com now has a forum called www.pwcoffshoreforums.com that is intended to build, grow and strengthen the PWC / Jet Ski offshore and endurance racing and riding community. If you ride or race your watercraft (PWC / Jet Ski) for long distances or ride/race in the ocean, check out www.pwcoffshoreforums.com

The PWCOFFSHORE.com site and PWCOFFSHOREFORUMS.com forum focuses on community and best practices associated with PWC offshore and PWC endurance riding and racing. For racing, the sites focuses on the premier offshore and endurance races in the United States; they are the APBA Mark Hahn Memorial 300 Mile PWC Race, the APBA Dana Point, Ca to Avalon Offshore PWC Race, The Long Beach to Catalina and Back APBA Offshore National Championship PWC Race ("LB2CAT"), and the Dana Point to Oceanside and Back Offshore PWC Race. If you ride in salt water or for long distances, come check it out!

PWCOFFSHORE www.pwcoffshore.com

PWCOFFSHORE Forums www.pwcoffshoreforums.com

Gerner and Carreon of PWCOFFSHORE On The Cover Of The April 2009 PWI Magazine

Gerner and Carreon of PWCOFFSHORE on the cover of the April, 2009 Personal Waercraft Illustrated Magazine (PWI) for their overall win at the 2009 Mark Hahn 300 Mile National Championhip Race! Check it out for the full story. Also on the cover are Mike Follmer and Nick Vanis!

Personal Watercraft Illustrated Magazine (PWI) - click here: http://www.watercraft.com/index.php













PWC Racing, Mark Hahn 300, Jet Ski Racing

For more information about offshore racing, go to www.pwcoffshore.com

Don't miss the annual Long Beach, CA USA to Catalina Island and Back Offshore National Championship PWC Race in July!