Chris Manthos serves as executive director of the American Watercraft Association. When not riding, he dedicates his time to educating regulators and other officials on the realities of personal watercraft, in contrast to the fantasy world of the no-access crowd. He mows his own lawn, washes his own truck, served his country, pays his taxes, picks up trash on public roads, opens his own beer bottles, reads books, hunts, feeds his own dogs, doesn’t need government to tell him right from wrong, and deplores sanctimonious hypocrites, bullies, and know-it-alls, particularly the political kind.

Wiley Russell Jr. is the dealer coordinator of the AWA and works closely with personal watercraft dealers nationwide, promoting PWC access for all enthusiasts, as well as promoting dealerships. He is a Virginia native and enjoys riding PWC as much as possible.

John Donaldson is not the longest serving PWC government relations guy, but he’s close. He had been in the power sports industry for over a decade when his then employer decided his gift for gab and ability to write completely confusing letters were a perfect match for dealing with politicians and legislators. Since the course change in his work history, Donaldson has worked for two of the biggest PWC manufacturers as well as having a turn at running the Personal Watercraft Industry Association. Donaldson says that these government relations experiences have helped him understand that it sure isn’t the government one learns about in a text book. Further in Donaldson’s past was his service in the U.S. Coast Guard and a few years as owner of a major power sports dealership in Southern California. This diversity of government, manufacturer, and retail experience qualifies Donaldson to help keep AWA members and others informed on the latest activities of government impact on the use of PWC in the PWC Nation.

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Friday, September 07, 2007

Exploring America’s Original Highways
posted by Wiley Russell Jr

To launch my blog, I thought I’d post an article I wrote for the September/October issue of Ride magazine about a recent PWC trip I took on the Alabama River.

You’ve upgraded your old 2-stroke for one of the new reliable 4-strokes, and you’ve used it almost every weekend since. By now, you’ve explored nearly every waterway around. We’ve got the answer—Book a trip with AWA Corporate Sponsor Discovery River Tours for quality long-distance guided PWC tours on some of America’s most scenic and historic rivers.

These all inclusive PWC adventure tours will increase your love for your watercraft and remind you why you bought it in the first place: The sheer joy of riding while exploring places where many boaters do not go.

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Saturday, September 01, 2007

Take Your Kids to Lunch
posted by Chris Manthos

The secret covers are being pulled off the ’08 models, and as we profiled in our Sept/Oct issue of Ride, PWC just keep getting better. Larger, safer, more efficient and exciting watercraft will soon be gracing the water. Each new model is an investment in the future of the PWC Nation. The manufacturers are more than doing their part with incredible new boats, but what are we as riders doing to further our enthusiasm for personal watercraft?

Few things are as important to the long term growth of our community than getting your kids involved with PWC. Most states require riders to be 16 or older to operate a personal watercraft. Okay, but that doesn’t mean they can’t ride with you now. To be honest, most of us prefer to ride alone on the boat. While understandable, it’s important to bring those future PWC riders with you.

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