In this series sponsored by ProWatercraftRacing.com, MotorActionMedia interviews talented and passionate athletes on their love for the sport and how ProWatercraftRacing.com handling components help them charge after their goals.
MotorActionMedia.com interviews Chris Steenbock, one of the nicest racers you will meet and races both the stand up ski class as well as the Vintage X-2 class. His recent move to the stand up class has been smooth and successful, which his has attributed to his use of Pro Watercraft Racing.com handling components.
Chris, could you tell me a little bit about your history in Jet Ski racing? How did you get involved? What have been some of your accomplishments you are most proud of?
I attended my first Jet Ski race (2009 World Finals) not knowing a single thing about Jet Skis with my friend Ryan Schiebe. After watching all the Pro Motos and riding Ryan’s old 550 for the first time at the legendary Body Beach, I was hooked! I practiced for a few years and entered my first race aboard my X2 in 2012. So far my biggest accomplishment is finishing 3rd at the World Finals in 2013 in the X2 Class. I am very excited to enter the Novice Ski Stock Class at this years World Finals and see where it goes!
Do you think passion is important to an athlete’s career? What keeps you passionate, even when times get rough?
Absolutely. Jet Ski Racers are the most passionate group of athletes I have ever been involved with. With the current state of PWC Racing in the USA, passion is the only thing keeping it alive. There is no fame nor fortune involved here, just people who pour everything they have into something they love. That is the motivation. Every time I am in a bad place, or injured in a crash, these great people that I have met while racing always pick me back up, and I am very grateful that I have them in my life.
Could you tell me a little about your race skis?
I have a Stock Class SXR that I built over the winter and began racing this season at the Mark Hahn 300 and RPM West Coast National Series. After testing dozens of other handling components, I felt the most comfortable using the Pro Watercraft Racing.com Front Sponsons, Rear Sponsons, Race Bumpers, and HFC Ride plate. The complete Pro Watercraft Handling package is hands down the best set up that I have tested on the SX-R. The Pro Watercraft Front and Rear Sponson set combined with the ride plate is the best handling combination I have ever tested for my riding style. Before, I was always fighting the ski, now the ski does most of the work for me and I can focus on my riding and not what the ski is doing.
I also understand that you own a company called C57 Racing Products? Could you tell me a little about that?
C57 Racing Products is my current business venture. C57 Racing Products is also an Online PWC Performance Part Dealer for some of the biggest names in the industry including Hot Products USA, DASA Racing, Jettrim, Bomber Eyewear, Mystik Lubricants, Rhaas Products, WSM Performance Parts and many more. C57 Racing Products also performs complete builds and repair services for some local clients here in Lake Havasu City.
You are racing X2s also aren’t you? Have you considered using PWR products on those skis yet?
After racing my X2 exclusively for 3 seasons, I have decided to retire it for the time being and focus my efforts on the stand up Stock and Limited Classes. If I ever decide to give X2 another shot, it is in my game plan to adapt the Pro Watercraft front and rear sponsons to fit the X2.
I heard that you were all about the X2, and you just recently started racing SX-Rs more. How has that transition been for you?
The X2 was a great ski to learn to race on over the past 3 years, but its time to move on. The Stock Class SX-R is my current ride, and thanks to it and the Pro Watercraft handling components I am in love with riding all over again. Making the transition to a stand up from a sport class boat has been challenging, but it has been great for progress as a rider. I have also been spending some tray time on a Hydrospace S4 Limited with the same Pro Watercraft Front/ Rear Sponson set and Ride Plate. Riding this ski has really opened up a whole new level of riding for me over the SX-R and I hope to continue to make progress all around.
How has your race season been going this year? Do you think your PWR products have contributed to your performance this year? What are your goals for the rest of the season, and how do you plan to achieve them.
It has been great so far. I made it onto the podium both days of the Lake Havasu Open of Watercross in both Novice Ski Stock and Novice Ski Limited aboard my Stock Class SX-R equipped with the Pro Watercraft handling components. My goals for the year are to make it onto the podium at the 2015 World Finals in the Novice Ski Stock and Novice Ski Limited Classes. To help achieve this goal I recently made the move from Southern California to Lake Havasu City AZ so that I could train in the heart of PWC Racing 24/7. Another great benefit of being here is that I am so close to those who are continuously innovating and testing new products like Pro Watercraft. In my short time here so far, Chris Haggest has been a great motivator and continues to bring me new parts to test for Pro Watercraft. With these great partnerships, I hope to accomplish my goals for the season.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Even before I lived here in Lake Havasu City, I was in love with the World famous Body Beach. There has been a lot of noise lately about the location and I would like to take this opportunity to help support PWC Racings Unofficial Proving Grounds. PWC Racers and Performance Part Manufacturers have been testing and training at this site for decades and we all would like to see it be available for decades to come. If anyone reading this hasn’t already, please take the time to join the Havasu Personal Watercraft Association in its mission to be a voice for the PWC Community here in Havasu and all around the world.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
I would really like to thank everyone who is helping me chase this dream of racing Jet Skis. My dad and my sister always have my back and I am very grateful for that. I have way too many great friends to list, but I have to thank all of them for always supporting me. And I definitely wouldn’t be here without my great sponsons and partners in the industry: KMG Racing, Mystik Lubricants, Bomber Eyewear, Jettrim, Hot Products, Cassidy Steenbock Photography, DASA, Mototec, Jet Pilot, and Pro Watercraft Racing. I would also like to thank Anna Glennon of Motor Action Media for the interview.