Like with all great sports events, volunteers have a big role to play.
This year’s Jet Around Cayman personal watercraft race was no different. From the marine unit of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service to the members of the Cayman Islands Watercraft Association, all helped make Jet Around safe and fun for racers and spectators alike.
One man who helped out this year was George ‘Lulu’ Smith. A racer with Tony’s Toys Racing team, Smith stepped away from his jet ski to help the likes of head marshal Tony Coe with race organizing. Last year’s first Caymanian racer to finish serves as first vice president of the watercraft association and states this year’s event was about his group making a presence.
“On behalf of the board of directors, the watercraft association thanks Monster Media and the Jet Around Cayman 2011 committee for allowing us to be a part of their event,” Smith said. “We also thank all of the volunteers that continue to help the association so graciously. We appreciate all support from our local businesses in helping the association achieve one of our short-term goals by not only sanctioning personal watercraft events in the Cayman Islands like Jet Around Cayman, but also helping promote a positive image of personal watercrafts in Cayman.
“The association is effectively communicating and educating the community on the fun, safe and responsible use of personal watercrafts as they are a growing part of our leisure and sporting events. We look forward to building a bigger and better Jet Around Cayman in the future.”
With Smith out of the water, this year’s top finisher would be West Bayer Roshad Goff. He would claim US$6,000 as the top overall finisher racing for Tony’s Toys.
A staggering list of volunteers were involved in the race. According to chief race organizers Monster Media, the following played major roles: Wes-Tec Performance, Cayman Islands Marine Enforcement, the Triton Pace Boat (captained by Neville Scott), Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Red Cross, Cayman Islands Fire Department, Cayman Islands Ambulance Service, MC James Bebarfald, Eyewaves Graphic Design Ltd, Vibestime Entertainment, Iceman Productions, Mitch, Glinton Williams and the site crew, Party Land, The Kitehouse, Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation, Calico Jacks, Wowballs, VJ Flex, The Ramada Grand Caymanian Beach Resort, Lion’s Production, Christyna Chapman, Bob Rees, Teri Lynne, Patrice Stewart, Monique Rowe and D-Docta.
Ultimately race founder and Monster Media Managing Director Kenny Rankin was thankful. He states the efforts of volunteers will keep Jet Around going for years to come.
“Jet Around Cayman would not take place without the efforts of my staff taking care of the event organization and all the behind-the-scenes technicalities of an event of this calibre,” Rankin said. “For that I am personally proud and thankful. I’d also like to express gratitude towards Vincent Ramgeet and George ‘Lulu’ Smith, Don Patrick of Wes-Tec Performance, the police, and the marine unit for their efforts and assistance with the event and helping to ensure the safety and security of the crowd and participants. It’s the efforts and collaboration of these groups that continue to make our events a success.”
Related Videos
