Welcome to Ski M.D. We are based in Auckland, NZ, where we operate an advanced workshop specifically designed to service jetskis. We claim to be the #1 jetski service centre for all models including Seadoo, Yamaha, Kawasaki. We also have a wide range of accessories available through our shop, online shop and Trade Me. And you are now looking at NZ's #1 jetski website!
**SKI M.D will be closed THIS SATURDAY to attend the 3rd NI Winter round (see below).
London to Auckland BEGINS 1st August! GOOD LUCK BOYS
London to Sydney to Auckland - 32,000km Cancer Awareness Ride
It's hard to believe there is only a matter of hours before Jeremy Burfoot and his crew start their epic ride from London with a return to Auckland estimated to take approximately 4 months. We were discussing this adventure with Jeremy over two years ago outside our old shop in Takanini and since then we have followed the quest to get this ride of the ground - or shall we say - in the water!
As we speak, the 2010 Sea Doo GTX's are having their final preparations including correcting the MASSIVE custom built trailer which holds the three 3.3 meter longs ski's...... these photos and the up-to-the-minute details on FACEBOOK.... http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=103535926659 Thanks Jeremy for the Ski M.D plug!
Follow the progress via the tracking system www.london-sydney.com
For those of you who haven't heard anything about this trip yet (despite it being on TV and on the radio) you can get more of the history on our WHATS UP page.
North Island Jetski Event Takes Prime Stage
THIS SATURDAY 31st JULY. LAKE KARAPIRO, CAMBRIDGE
Round 3 of the North Island Winter Endurance Series is being hosted by the Hamilton Jet Sports Association at the popular water sports area of Karapiro Dam. This Hamilton round is always popular but normally held at the Hora Hora reserve about 10 kms up river. Hopes are high for this new venue with its easy viewing setup, campground, clean toilets and scenic backdrop.
Entries are still open ... see our RIDES page for more information... and come and have a go! Spectators are welcome to enjoy a free days viewing - racing generally starts from 10am.
Jetski's Prove To Be Top Cure for SAD
SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder effects up to 20% of the population in winter, causing anti-social behaviour, lack of energy, and depression. One of the recognised natural treatments is 'light therapy' where the patient spends a set amount of time in front of a light unit or has special light reflectors set up outside their house to enhance the amount of sunshine received.
Research has shown that the family jetski is the perfect 'therapy' for everyone suffering from the 'winter blues'. The ease in which PWC owners can get to the water, spend an hour riding/playing and return home is proving to be another great use of these ever-advancing machines. The reflection of light off the water's surface, which accelerates sun burn in summer, is perfect for greater strength of light needed in winter to balance mental health.
With many of the top PWC clothing manufacturers getting into the game with winter gear, there is no excuse - especially in the North Island. Studies show just an hour of time on the jetski is a perfect dose, and this benefits your machine at the same time as PWCs are best run during the winter than stored.
Seeing we are now into the coldest months of our year and there are still healthy numbers of people going to the river or out fishing, there isn't any excuse for getting together with a friend, getting your wetsuit on and doing it!
Tauranga Turns Up The Heat
As we rounded the corner to drive alongside the Tauranga Harbour on Saturday 3rd of July on the way to the second round of the North Island Winter Endurance Series, we were greeted by the picturesque scenery of mirror flat water glistening in the bright sunshine.
The newly-reformed Tauranga Jet Sport Club gets ten points for effort on organization and publicity of this round and the day went smoothly and on time. There was a respectable number of pole ski's on the start line for their 10am race and a few 'teams' made things a bit easier on these riders who have to stand all the way - even if their coarse is a bit shorter.
It was, however, a disappointing turnout for the runabouts, leaving the conversation of the day being how/why the sport has decreased in numbers when there was 50 plus riders jostling for a space on the start line just 10 years ago. Considering the weather was at its absolute best and Tauranga is a reasonably central location, it will be interesting to see how the attendance pans out for the next 3 winter rounds. One thing is for sure, the riders who are participating will be enjoying the fact that a trophy or placing certificate is almost a certainty just for turning up.
Attrition was the notable winner of the day once the main race got under way, with top performers dropping our with technical issues one after the other. Sam Harvey dropped out on the new Seadoo RXT260 and Carl Lampe Jnr was out after a decent term in the lead. The new Tauranga Kawasaki dealer, Grant Nicholson, was pitting frequently with issues on the big Ultra, and the Jettribe RXP was brought in early for oil. However, it was a text book run for Callum and Fraser, running teams on a new stock RXT 260 with a clean run and swift pit work.
The next round (3) is now only a matter of weeks away and with the Lake Karapiro venue confirmed, it should be a great round to attend!
We have begun a discussion thread via Facebook on the decrease in jetski racing participation for everyone to give us some feedback and opinions. Just go to the Ski M.D Personal Watercraft page, then click on discussions. Ideas and opinions may be included in a future article on this website and/or submitted to the NZJSBA for their use.
Photos loaded on the PHOTOS page .... now using our new gallery viewer!
Shocking Trailer Standards In NZ
Running off the back of the Mitre 10 trailer scandal seen on TV recently we thought it is a good time to highlight the huge safety issues which we are seeing in jetski trailers. Mitre 10 has recalled a line of it's own imported trailers following a serious accident involving one of them.
As a service provider of all PWC brands from all over the country, we see many different types of jetski trailers, including imported types and a growing amount which have been constructed by 'back door' trailer manufacturers with very little engineering sense.
The last five years has seen a great growth in kitset trailers, made from imported products. One Auckland dealer continues to sell trailers which have a bearing/axle set up simply not designed for water use and WOF tests fail every year until the axle is replaced. We have seen a few buyers caught out by the lure of cheap kitsets which they can put together themselves and most of them are not suitable for the extreme weight of the larger four stroke PWCs or have component quality issues.
The last few summers have seen many dealers resort to having their own trailers made to improve their margin and competitive package price, and this is what we find surprising; one dealer is selling late model ski's on a trailer which is a copy of a reputable brand but designed to fit an old 2 stoke ski. The material used is a much smaller box section and has wiring holes drilled through load bearing areas. With the new PWC models sitting just under 500kg - it pays to think you are buying a carrier of quality.
This dealer is not alone and joined by at least two other's selling badly constructed trailers. Ski M.D try to advise all new or second hand PWC buyers to look closely at the trailer they are purchasing. For a new single trailer, you should be paying at least $1,500. If it is not, ask yourself why. If you are checking out a trailer and do not understand engineering yourself, it pays to ask a third party for a second opinion. 7 people die a year in accidents involving cars towing trailers and it is only a matter of time before a jetski trailer is involved in this statistic.
Tauranga Jetski Club Back On The Map
After a five year 'recess' the Tauranga Jet Sport Association has reformed and membership is cracking! Long time racing enthusiasts, Leanne Brown and Grant Nicholson and their families are behind the club and it's re-launch. All enquires can be done through tjsa@xtra.co.nz and you can follow the club on Facebook. Membership season for this club runs from 1st May until 30th April. Cost is $50 for individuals or $60 for the family. Use the above email to request and membership form and get involved!
Use Facebook To Keep Up
An easy way to keep your finger on the pulse! We post info of events, new products and photos from our workshop nearly every day. Search Ski M.D Personal Watercraft.
Ski M.D. Newsletters
Our latest newsletter (JUNE) is out and we have had a huge response to our winter gear! If you have not recieved your copy, please send your details to info@skimd.co.nz Next issue is due September.