National Sea-Doo Ride Day Brings Auckland Jet Ski Community Together

If you’d been out on the Hauraki Gulf between Bucklands Beach and Waiheke Island on October 19, you might have seen something a little unusual. That is, 32 jet skis and over 60 people riding at speed in convoy. 

This was National Sea-Doo Ride Day, a coming together of jetski enthusiasts from all over Auckland for a day of riding, relaxing on the beach, and meeting other skiers. For organisers Woodbine Marine, Sea-Doo New Zealand, and two other Sea-Doo dealers, this was a hugely successful (and enjoyable) day out on the Hauraki Gulf. 

Celebrating Sea-Doo

Around 21 years ago, Sam Harvey and his parents started Woodbine Marine, one of Auckland’s leading Sea-Doo Dealers. A few years later, Sam became the first non-American to win the Prestigious IJSBA World Final Pro Open (on a Sea-Doo, of course). 

As genuine ski enthusiasts, Sam and the Woodbine team didn’t need any convincing to attend National Ride Day. Jo Lomax, Sales Consultant at Woodbine, says this is one of many events they host regularly:

“We have a steady calendar of events. We want to bring people together, and we want people out there enjoying their jet skis, from newbies to pros.”

The event started with all 32 skis and their riders departing Bucklands Beach at 9 am on the day, with an Extreme 745 support boat following as a safety boat. Another 34 skis departed from two other locations in Auckland, and everyone met on the shores of beautiful Motuihe Island. 

Bringing jet skiers together from all over Auckland

Just under 100 people arrived at the beach to a warm welcome. Sea-Doo New Zealand put on a lunch of hot dogs, while Woodbine and the other dealers hosted beach games. Salespeople from all three dealerships and Sea-Doo were there, as well as mechanics, talking about jetskis, maintenance, and providing riding tips to the newbies. There were spot prizes too, and three lucky winners took home $500 of Woodbine Marine in-store credit (enough to buy plenty of awesome Sea-Doo gear). 

There were jet skis and riders of all shapes and sizes. From teenage beginners, to seasoned pros, and entry-level Sea-Doo Trix jetski, all the way up to 325s that can achieve top speeds of well over 100km on the water. 

The beginners followed Steve Anson, Woodbine Sales Consultant, on a ride around Rakino, while more experienced riders circumnavigated Waiheke Island. The day ended at 2 pm after plenty of chilling out on the beach and mingling:

“It was such a great way for jet skiers to meet other enthusiasts to ride with. And it was so good to see groups splitting off with people they’d met to do their own thing after the day. Some went home, others headed off to Man-O-War, or went riding,” Jo said. 

“And it was great to see families out there. Everyone took the kids, a few of the older kids even had a ride.”