One of the toughest parts of being a PWC-enthusiast can be the 4-6 months of winter and your ski looking sad in the garage. Eventually, the blues really hit you and you are counting down the days until you can get back in the water. However, you can start planning your next ride now! If you’re from the Midwest or North East, we’ve compiled a list of our Top 5 riding spots for when you want to dig the ski out of the garage and dig yourself out of the snow.
POMPANO BEACH, FL
First and foremost, we invite you to come down and see us. If you’re anywhere up north, you know Florida is the place to be in the winter. RIVA Racing is located in Pompano Beach, FL where there’s not a drop of snow to be found. You can bring your own jet ski down, buy jet ski accessories, or grab a jet ski rental from of one of the many spots around town. If you’re down for a little ocean cruising on a PWC, Pompano Beach is a great place to visit when the cold’s got you down. For a real PWC experience, go to any jet ski rentals in key west and ride around there! That will create a lot of memories that you can hold until the warmer months come along.
LAKE HAVASU CIY, AZ
Lake Havasu City is literally one of the hottest cities in the United States – and it’s arguably the biggest Jet Ski mecca as well. Home of the world-famous IJSBA World Championships and Body Beach, Lake Havasu City is sure to steal the heart of any PWC enthusiast. When you arrive in Lake Havasu, you’ll want to take your jet ski straight to Body Beach, you’re bound to find other Jet Skiers out on the water or ripping around the permanent buoy course. If buoys are not your style, you can cruise on down the river all the way to California for a really cool experience. Havasu also has some famous shops and PWC-industry businesses, so it’s a great Jet Ski tourist town, especially if you are looking for jet ski accessories, jet ski repairs, or any jet ski parts. You may have never realized it, but some of your favorite PWC items have likely come from this little oasis in the desert. Make sure you pack a hat and shades from RIVA Racing before you hit Havasu – it will be a warm ride.
MISSION BAY, CA
Mission Bay in San Diego is another popular Jet Ski-mecca on the west coast. Bust out your sunscreen and grab your ski, or a local jet ski rental, because you will definitely need it here. At Mission Bay, you’re bound to bump into other PWC-enthusiasts and racers – it’s one of the most popular winter riding spots on the west coast, with riders suiting up almost every weekend. Scenically smack-dab in the middle of San Diego and perfect riding temperature year-round, this place is the ultimate winter ride-cation for any PWC enthusiast.
SUNSHINE SKYWAY BRIDGE, FL
Just outside of Tampa is the world-famous Sunrise Skyway Bridge. What you may not know about this place is that the bay is also a popular riding hot spot for some of the top personal watercraft racers in the world. If you are a fan of long walks on the beach and salty Jet Ski rides, this is your spot. Even if you can’t make it down with your own PWC, there’s plenty of PWC, jet ski rental spots in the area to get you kitted for a good vacation. BONUS POINTS: Crystal blue ocean waters and the Sunway Skyway Bridge make the perfect backdrop for Instagram pictures that will make your friends jealous. EXTRA BONUS POINTS: Check on https://sunrisesunset.willyweather.com/fl/pinellas-county/tampa-bay--sunshine-skyway-bridge.html to see when the best times for the sunset is. You can thank us later. Pro rider tips though, if you decide to take your PWC for a day trip around the bridge, we recommend snagging a waterproof bag from RIVA Racing. Keep your valuables safe and dry out on your ride. Always better to ride safe than sorry!
LAKE ELSINORE, CA
If you dream of Cali’ livin’, Lake Elsinor is just outside L.A. and is a great place to play. Lake Elsinore is one of the few lakes in California to still allow two-stroke Jet Skis – so if you’re looking for a place to rip your two stroke – this is it. Elsinore is especially hot if you like to rip on a dirt bike too – it’s nestled just next to Temecula, the pulse of motorsport racing in California. This area is a hotbed for moto-lovers and there are plenty of rental businesses in the area. Make sure you pick up a moto helmet from RIVA Racing so you can easily jump from a PWC to an off road ride.
The U.S. is full of some of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world – and thankfully some of them stay warm throughout the winter. While we can’t package up some of our warm weather and send it to you, we can point your compass to some of the best riding in the U.S. Who says PWC-riding is a season sport?
