Jet Skiing finds new enthusiasts in Carita
By Imanuddin
JAKARTA (JP): For jet ski promoters a useful tool might be the Baywatch TV series. Jet-skiing may have been popular with the lifeguards in red for a while, but enthusiasts here only took to the sport three years ago.
Regular races draw the young and the rich from Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Solo, Malang and Ujungpandang. New waters are being tested, but the favorite spots so far are Ancol in North Jakarta, Carita in West Java and Bali, where jet ski operators are concentrated.
Some 2,000 people in search of fun swarm a privately run resort in Carita every week, mostly to jet ski.
Duncan C. Warner, marina manager of the three-mile Lippo Carita Resort, said guests come with their own jet skis or rent the water bikes. Jet-skiing is the most popular of the resort's water sports.
"Most of them come here to release themselves from the daily routines at their workplaces, while others come to practice their riding skills," Warner added.
The sport looks easy, and anyone who can ride a motorbike adapts easily to the machine. Even those who can't ride a bike will find it as easy as pushing buttons. No matter how fast a jet-skier goes, he will feel much safer than if he were riding a bike on the road. With a jet ski, you just fall into the water.
But Warner said accidents happen every week, especially among careless beginners who tend to crash among themselves. Luckily, he said, no one has been seriously injured, and helmets and safety jackets are a must. With the jackets, riders with no swimming skills can also feel safe.
Sunscreen and spare, dry clothes are also needed.
Those who bring their own water bikes usually have their own safety gear. So far only a few have their own jet skis. The watercrafts with a capacity of 800 cc to 1,100 cc cost between Rp 20 million (US$8,421.05) and Rp 30 million.
Most prefer to rent. Rental rates at the Ancol Marina are Rp 30,000 per jet ski, excluding engine fuel, for a 15-minute ride.
The Lippo Carita Resort sets a rental fee of Rp 60,000 per jet ski for a 25-minute ride, fuel included.
Once one owns a jet ski, they need to be maintained.
"The watercraft engine needs special treatment as its jet- constructed engine easily drags sand into the engine," Warner said.
To maintain engine performance, all jet-skiers renting the resort's watercrafts are ordered to stay away from seashores.
Lastly, prepare to pay more for damages if you crash.
"We'll charge our renters a negotiable amount of compensation for minor wrecks on a jet ski. But all costs must be covered for major wrecks," Warner said.