Studer Community Institute

Pro Watercross Tour returns to Pensacola

March 31, 2015
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The Pro Watercross Tour will blast into Pensacola Beach in May, bringing with it death-defying stunts, professional watercraft racing and — organizers hope — an abundance of visitors to the area. The second-year event — May 16-17 — one stop on a nationwide tour, will feature teams of personal watercraft riders competing for money and glory in the turbulent waters of the Gulf of Mexico. “It’s basically NASCAR on water,” said Pensacola Sports Association director Ray Palmer. The PSA is sponsoring the event, which is expected to attract as many as 175 professional and amateur racers to Pensacola Beach. “These guys are from all around the world,” Palmer said. “They love Pensacola because they don’t often get the chance to race on open water.” Pensacola will be the second stop on this year’s tour, which will kick off May 9 in Panama City and wrap up four months—and seven stops—later, at the World Championship in Naples. [sidebar] WANT TO GO? WHAT: Pro Watercross Tour featuring competitors from around the world.

WHERE: Pensacola Beach (Casino Beach area in front of The Dock and Gulfside Pavilion).
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 16-17, with pro events from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an

awards ceremony and autograph session after the competition.

COST: Free to watch, $80-$160 to ride. Register at www.prowatercross.com/tour_reg.

[/sidebar] The Pensacola event, which is free to spectators, will include both traditional lap-races and a freestyle competition—with world-class stunt riders performing death-defying tricks at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. Jennifer Handler, President of Pro Watercross, said the freestyle competition is usually the crowd favorite. Last year, she recalled, the Gulf was choppy during the competition, which allowed one rider to perform a double back flip off an especially large swell. She added that the Gulf — besides being a favorite race location for competitors — made for an especially exciting experience for spectators. “It’s always nice to shake it up,” she said. “It separates the men from the boys, because it takes the machine out of it and makes it really about the riding capabilities.” For the best experience, Handler recommended people arrive early. The professional-class races will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 —with the freestyle competition at noon on both days. “That’s when you’re going to see your best racing,” she said. The event will continue through the day, with amateur racers competing until about 5 p.m. Palmer said he hoped the event would be an economic boon to the area, bringing an infusion of cash into the local economy during the “shoulder season” that precedes each summer. Last year’s event on Pensacola Beach kicked off the tour’s 2014 season. It attracted hundreds of spectators and was broadcast nationwide, giving added exposure to the area. Palmer said the event would be broadcast again this year, bringing all the action into some 93.5 million households. “The exposure for Pensacola Beach is quite good,” he said. Beyond the economic impact, though, Palmer said the race should be a lot of fun. “It’s fast action,” he said. “The racers start from a stall, and when the flag drops, they just go. It’s very spectator-friendly and just a blast to watch.” Those who want a reprieve from the races won’t have to go far, though. The annual Fiesta of Five Flags sand sculpting contest will be held May 17 on Pensacola Beach, behind the Gulfside Pavilion. The free contest—a favorite among area families—is open to professional and amateur sculptors of all ages, who will compete to craft spectacular works of art in the beach’s sugar-white sand.

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Pro Watercross Tour returns to Pensacola

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