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.
After an under the radar debut in 2014, Kole Cramer quickly shocked the industry by winning a world title in his first year. The young junior rider was quickly recognized as one of the up and coming talents within the sport; and was swarmed by industry leaders who wanted to help this young kid who embodied a champion on and off the track.
After his extremely successful first year, people waited with baited breath to see how Cramer would do at his second World Finals in 2015. It isn’t easy following up after a World Championship your first year, but after a year of dedication, Cramer did not disappoint.
We interviewed Cramer as a part of the #DrivenByPassion series not only because he uses Pro Watercraft Racing.com handling components on his race skis, but because he is one of the hardest working young chargers we have ever met. Learn more about Kole in our interview.
KOLE CRAMER
AGE: 13
YEARS RIDING: 7 years
YEARS RACING: 2 years
RACE SKI OF CHOICE: Kawasaki SX-R
ROLE MODEL(s): Jeff Jacobs/Stian Schjetlein
Kole, how did you get involved in Jet Ski Racing?
I got involved in riding Jet Skis when I was young. I have been riding since I was 4 years old! My dad raced in the 90’s. I went and rode a Jet Ski for my first time in Lake Powell in a quiet cove when I was 4 years old!
I understand that in your first year of racing you won a World Championship. That’s awesome! Could you tell me what that day was like for you?
That day I won my first world title was like a normal windy day at Body Beach! I didn’t realize I won a world title until everyone told me! I didn’t believe them since my first Moto was a 5th.
Since your win at the World Finals in 2014, I understand that you have been working and training with Stian Schjetlein, a World Champion from Norway. What do you work on with Stian? How has working with him helped you?
Stian and I work almost every day together when he is here in Havasu. We do a lot with each other, practicing passing each other, blocking, riding fast as we can… If Stian didn’t help me I wouldn’t be where I was right now with racing; he has got me so much faster and a lot more aggressive than I was before.
Stian Schjetlein is also #DRIVENBYPASSION, to learn more about his story, check out our interview here.
The 2015 World Finals just ended, and I understand you did pretty well. Could you tell me about your 2015 World Finals experience?
I was happy with my World Finals results, I raced Novice Ski Stock and ended up in 2nd place racing against riders who were mainly on 4-stroke Hydrospaces! I also raced Junior 13-15 Stock, but had motor problems on the last lap after having a good heat. I raced Junior 13-15 Lites also, and ended up 2nd place against skis that weren’t bone stock! My dad has been working on getting my ski really fast for about a month, and it paid off!
WHAT HANDLING SET UP DOES KOLE RUN?
I used to have problems with my skis subbing, and I couldn’t always trust my ski when I would go into corners. I now run the Pro Watercraft Racing.com Hybrid Flex Composite T2 race plate and it is amazing. I also use the Pro Watercraft Racing.com rear sponsons and front sponsons, and now I don’t sub and I can trust my ski going into corners.
Junior World Champion Kole Cramer has the complete SX-R handling component package by the handling experts at Pro Watercraft Racing.com.
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Front sponsons
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HFC rear sponsons
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HFC T2 ride plate
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Pro Watercraft designed Ultra Race Pole by Ultra Motorsports
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Pro Watercraft HFC Flex rear kicker
Check out Pro Watercraft Racing.com’s complete line of SX-R handling components by clicking here.
What are your goals for the future?
I hope to keep racing and keep having fun with it. I hope when I’m old enough, I will be racing the new “Pro Force” hull built by Pro Watercraft Racing.com.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
I would like to thank, Pro Watercraft Racing.com for the best handling ski, IPD Graphics for a awesome looking ski, my Mom and dad for everything, Devas bling for making me stand out, Precision Crankshaft and Machine, Speed Energy, Jettrim for keeping me on the ski, Joel’s Tee’s for awesome shirts, quakysense for awesome riding gear and Ultra Motorsports for that awesome Ultra Pole.
