SPOTLIGHT: Ryan Ellefson

With the LB2CAT (Long Beach to Catalina) race creeping upon us, MotorActionMedia.com has interviewed some of the talented athletes who are looking to take the win.

MotorActionMedia.com interviews Ryan “Rocket” Ellefson, a new racer to the sport. Ellefson is determined to make a statement by competing in the LB2CAT race.

Ryan, could you tell me a little about how you got involved in Jet Skiing?

I had a neighbor Brian who I rode motorcycles with. He had a Sea Doo, Wave Blaster, and a 650 SX. He took me out riding to get me hooked and then kept bugging me. I finally went out and bought some Wave Raiders and brought them home and took them all apart and rebuilt them. I tried doing what I could to make them handle better and faster. Then I kept hearing about endurance racing and knew I needed a 4 stroke. So I bought some Yamaha VX 110’s. Started riding with anyone who would ride far and started doing the ironman rides with West Coast Watercraft Club. Then I met Mark Gerner from pwcoffshore.com and he gave me a wealth of knowledge. I started riding with him and his team, as they are some of the fastest and most respected offshore racers. Great people to look up to and learn from.

Could you tell me a little about your race craft?

My ski is a 2015 Yamaha VXR. It is a naturally aspirated engine, meaning there is no turbo or no supercharger. Yamaha just introduced this new hull which stands up to the sea state much better with more stability. I am racing in the naturally aspirated open class, so my ski has some little things done to it to try keep it competitive.

I understand that this is your first race? How are you feeling going into it?

I am feeling really good. I am backed by such a solid team, Team Jet Renu is the best! I have been on the phone back and fourth with team mates working out all the little details before such an intense race. I have some past motorcycle racing history, so I am just running off that to keep calm. I used to really enjoy desert racing. Endurance type riding, from point A to point B long distance. So I am using some of that same experience and applying it here.I am going to try and relax for a couple days prior to the race and do fun stuff to keep me occupied.

I understand that you will be participating in the LB2CAT race, how have you been preparing for the race? What kind of training do you do?

Yes the LB2CAT is 58 miles of going as fast as you can in what the ocean gives you. From big swells, to blind glass, to confused chop. All these conditions make this race the challenge that it is. I have been riding as much as I can and with the fastest riders I can find. This has helped push me out of my comfort zone and helped to teach me a bunch. I am very happy with the way Yamaha has designed this new hull to take on the larger sea state.I also started changing my eating habits and thinking of food as fuel. No more fast food and junk food. I also started running in the 90+ degree heat, training my body for the hot temperatures from my wet suit. On the other days I ride mountain bikes up the climb here in hills by my house. I do bootcamp style workouts in the morning for strength.

What are your goals for the race? Other goals for the future?

My goal is to win my class for starters. Then my second goal is to finish in the top ten overall. Since I ride a Naturally Aspirated ski and there will be heavily modified skis doing 80+ MPH this is a lofty goal. My goals are to train harder and get in even better shape. I want to take on longer and harder races such as the Mark Haun 300 and finish on the podium.

I also understand that you are a member of team JetRenu, what are your favorite JetRenu products to use on your machine? Why do you prefer them?

I was actually tired of my skis looking poorly. Water spots and smears all over from those other products. I heard about Jet Renu and messaged Nanette via Facebook. I received this great reply. Not many companies today will take the time to personally write you and try and understand you. Since then I have been using Jet Renu with the greatest success. The fact that the PINK+ water spot remover can been sprayed on in the sun just after pulling it out of the river is amazing. I can’t say enough about PINK+, it is leaps and bounds better then anything else I have ever seen. I like the full line up of Jet Renu products, from the sealer wax, protector, and Renu shield are all top notch and easy to use. But I never leave home without my PINK+ and a micro fiber towel.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Never give up on your dreams. Back in 2006 I was involved in a motorcycle versus car accident. Where the car hit me and caused severe damage. I broke most of my right side bones and crushed my pelvis. Doctors said I wasn’t going to walk again.Years go by and I do a ton of physical therapy and walk all on my own. Now I think I walk fine, but most of all I can ride my jet ski.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?

I would really like to thank Jet Renu for introducing me to their dynamite products and for helping keep my New ski looking New. Thank you Jet Renu for sponsoring me and achieve my dreams, as none of this would be possible without you. Thank you to all my team mates at Jet Renu. Thanks for welcoming me in and making me feel at home. I look forward to getting to know more of you. Also I would like to thank Mark Gerner at pwcoffshore.com for answering my many questions and helping me train properly. Safety first! Lastly my home club West Coast Watercraft Club of southern California and West Coast Watercraft Racing Division. Thank you to my wife for supporting me through this crazy adventure.Thank you Brian Grumpy B for getting me hooked. Thank you God for another day!