One of the lasting legacies of Jet Around Cayman is its array of international riders.
In the last five years the amount of foreign talent has been consistently increasing. Among the visitors this year was Robert Greenwald.
The Atlanta native placed seventh overall running in the Pro class under team Tryin A Ting and Filfy Pirates. He would end up well behind overall race winner Roshad Goff of team Tony’s Toys Racing. Goff would be followed by two other young Caymanian riders in Gary ‘GJ’ Whittaker Junior of team Nuttin 2 Lose and Daron McLean of team Tryin A Ting.
Greenwald, 43, states the race was fun though challenging.
“The start was messed up and I ended up coming from behind,” Greenwald said. “I wish I had done better as I came seventh overall after starting 25th (last place). Near the East End dock I crashed on a 10-15ft wave. There were some huge waves in East End. But I loved it. It was great and requires the best from both rider and machine. I’ll be back to do it again.
“The race needs to be promoted outside of Cayman, like in the US. People can enjoy the race and the island. It’s a good opportunity for the local tourism board. Who doesn’t want to be here with clear water and weather?”
Among the international riders joining Greenwald at Jet Around 2011 was team Guadeloupe. Out of its four racers Patrick Gounouman, 30, would place fifth while Pascal Gounouman, 24 would end up in the sixth spot.
For Greenwald coming to Cayman is not a new experience as he stopped here a number of times.
“I own a marketing company and I spend six to eight weeks of the year in the Caribbean, mostly in Jamaica. This is my fifth time here. My first time was in 1995 on a diving trip. I’ve been on three cruises that came here. The last time I was here I proposed to my fiancée Amanda at the sinking of the Kittiwake. I had it done over the top and yeah she did say yes.
“The Cayman guys are nice people and I know a lot of them personally. Roshad Goff’s girlfriend goes to college five minutes away from me. When he goes to check her he hangs out with me at my home for awhile. It’s not about egos.”
Aside from jet ski racing, Greenwald makes a living doing radio and TV promotions through his Public Relations company A-List Consulting and Services Inc. One of the jobs he did was promoting Pirates Week earlier this year. Oddly enough, Greenwald admits he did so by employing another activity he does on the side: impersonating pirates.
“For fun I also do pirate impersonations. I promoted Pirates Week a couple of weeks ago at Gasparilla (in Tampa, Florida). Jordan ‘JJ’ McLean came up for that and helped give away a trip to Cayman or Pirates Week. We worked with Bernie Bush on that and I’m coming back to Cayman for Pirates Week. I know through our efforts more people will be coming in October for that.”
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