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If you’re a surfer, a motorsport enthusiast, or basically a sports fan, Jet Surfing will definitely fascinate you. Never heard of it before? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s a fairly new sport that's making rounds around the world (or should I say waves?).
I had the privilege of sitting down with one of the best jet surfers in the world to tell us all about it. So hang tight, you’re on for a crazy ride.
Filip Sihelský is a professional Jet Surfer who holds the 7th place in the Motosurf World Cup, a world cup grand Prix jet surf tournament. I got the opportunity to talk to Filip about what Jet Surfing is about and how you can get into it as well.
What exactly is Jet Surfing?
What exactly is Jet Surfing?
Jet surfing, or motor surfing, is a fairly new water-based motorsport. It all started when people started adding engines to surfboards. The most popular board in the industry is called JetSurf. It’s a motorized surfboard with two-stroke 90 CC engines.
If you’re new to surfing, the tricky part would be to learn how to balance on the board, after that, you can give it some throttle and start your crazy ride.
It's not too complicated. After that, it's about surfing to the finish line. The best part about jet surfing is that you don’t need any waves to surf on. You can even take your JetSurf to a ride in your near-by lake!
How did you get into it?
How did you get into it?
I have a friend of mine that deals with these motorized surfboards in my country. Thanks to him, I was able to try one of them. I immediately fell in love with it and I was pretty good at it too. And through my connections, I was able to take part in a local jet surfing race. That’s where my professional jet surfing career kicked off.
The good thing about this sport and the boards themselves is how easy it is to get familiar with them.
How can someone else get into the sport? Can any traditional surfer make the switch?
How can someone else get into the sport? Can any traditional surfer make the switch?
Absolutely! As I said, it's not very complicated. In fact, anyone can get into jet surfing. It doesn’t even matter if you’ve never surfed in your life.
My advice is to get a hold of a motorized surf. There's plenty of places that rent out these surfboards or just like in my case, you might know someone who can lend you one.
After you get the balancing stuff right according to what side you’re comfortable with (right or left), play around with the throttling for a while. Get used to riding the surfboard. After that, look for local races that beginners can take part in.
How can someone else get into the sport? Can any traditional surfer make the switch?
Absolutely! As I said, it's not very complicated. In fact, anyone can get into jet surfing. It doesn't even matter if you've never surfed in your life.
My advice is to get a hold of a motorized surf. There's plenty of places that rent out these surfboards or just like in my case, you might know someone who can lend you one.
After you get the balancing stuff right according to what side you're comfortable with (right or left), play around with the throttling for a while. Get used to riding the surfboard. After that, look for local races that beginners can take part in.
Is Jet Surfing safe?
Is Jet Surfing safe?
It's very safe. Compared to other motorsports, the machine used in our sport is very lightweight. For example, the Jetsurf only weighs around 18kg, therefore the kinetic energy is minimal. In the case of an accidental fall, it has a kill switch the rider can use to immediately stop the board from traveling any further.
Having said that, it's important to note that no motorsport is perfectly safe. You need to be extra careful depending on the external conditions. Its a little more difficult in a race than riding alone in terms of safety.
Make sure you always carry the essential gear with you whenever you surf. A helmet is a must and try to always wear other protective clothing as well.
So you’re from Slovakia, In which other countries can you find jet surfing?
So you’re from Slovakia, In which other countries can you find jet surfing?
The main market for Jet Surfing is in the United States and Mexico. But the sport is now growing worldwide and is popular in various countries in Europe and even in China.
How has the pandemic affected the sport?
How has the pandemic affected the sport?
It’s a difficult time for all of us no matter what sport we take part in or is a fan of. All sporting events are canceled around the world and so are the jet surfing tournaments.
The Motosurf World Cup was canceled until further notice. We can’t wait to get back on the water, but the safety of the surfers come first.
Anything else you want to add?
Anything else you want to add?
For anyone who’s excited to try jet surfing, I urge you to get started. When it’s safe to go out again of course. Once you do, it’s an experience like no other.
“It’s an experience like no other.”
There are so many great things about the sport. As I said earlier it’s very safe, and the Motosurf World Cup is environmental-friendly.
The Jetsurf boards used in the Motosurf World Cup emits a considerably low amount of CO2 into the air compared to the power it produces. Jetsurf also uses environmentally degradable Motorex oil and with every Jetsurf sold, they will be planting a tree (yes, really).
There are so many great things happening in the industry and we have an amazing community of people involved.
Filip is one of the top Jet Surfers in the world. He has traveled around the world competing in Jet Surfing tournaments. In just 2 years he has finished in the top three in three European Motosurfing cups.
He finished 7th in the Motosurf World Cup overall last year.
He’s currently representing the Slovak Republic in world tournaments.
Find Filip on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/filipsihelsky/ and Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/sihelskyfilip/.
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