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Monday, 17 March 2008 19:08 |
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IJSBA 2007 World Champion in Pro freestyle, Fumikazu Watanabe is supporting awareness for the conservancy of ecology or our surroundings. At the Yokohama Boat show recently in Japan, his booth was dispensing for free, seedling samples of flower packets to beautify your neighborhood, with planting mix.
His message is simple; pay attention to the environment, remove garbage, and become more ecologically minded, such as recycling waste products. I brought home a few packets myself and my daughter planted them straightaway. We are looking forward to early spring blooms! Not only can you be mindful of refuse, but you can beautify your environment by planting color, lots of flowers bring lots of smiles! Remember when you are at your local race or beach site, pick up garbage not only from your own camp, but from anyone else who has been less resourceful. At world finals, or just recreational events, I make it a point as I’m walking to another location to pick up any strewn debris from people who have no excuse, since I can find a trash receptacle, so can they. Always bring a garbage bag with you, and pick up any floating plastic or styrofoam, place it in your bag in your forward storage compartment on larger PWC’s. If you are an AWA member that belongs to a Chapter or Club, organize a shoreline cleanup day on behalf of your membership and your community! I make sure that I go the distance, even if others won’t, because being a good steward of our sport isn’t just sportsmanlike behavior, it is in everything we do. We are responsible, because we act responsibly! Yours In Water Safety, Shawn Alladio K38 - AWA H2O Responders |
John Donaldson is not the longest serving PWC government relations guy, but he’s close. He had been in the power sports industry for over a decade when his then employer decided his gift for gab and ability to write completely confusing letters were a perfect match for dealing with politicians and legislators. Since the course change in his work history, Donaldson has worked for two of the biggest PWC manufacturers as well as having a turn at running the Personal Watercraft Industry Association. Donaldson says that these government relations experiences have helped him understand that it sure isn’t the government one learns about in a text book. Further in Donaldson’s past was his service in the U.S. Coast Guard and a few years as owner of a major power sports dealership in Southern California. This diversity of government, manufacturer, and retail experience qualifies Donaldson to help keep AWA members and others informed on the latest activities of government impact on the use of PWC in the PWC Nation. 
Chris Manthos serves as executive director of the American Watercraft Association. When not riding, he dedicates his time to educating regulators and other officials on the realities of personal watercraft, in contrast to the fantasy world of the no-access crowd. He mows his own lawn, washes his own truck, served his country, pays his taxes, picks up trash on public roads, opens his own beer bottles, reads books, hunts, feeds his own dogs, doesn’t need government to tell him right from wrong, and deplores sanctimonious hypocrites, bullies, and know-it-alls, particularly the political kind. 
Wiley Russell Jr. is the dealer coordinator of the AWA and works closely with personal watercraft dealers nationwide, promoting PWC access for all enthusiasts, as well as promoting dealerships. He is a Virginia native and enjoys riding PWC as much as possible. 
