Extreme rider Dale Vranckx sets new Single Day PWC Distance Record

by Trailer Boating Canada on 11 Aug 2009 In an effort to raise awareness and money for Your Life Counts, a youth suicide prevention organization, extreme rider Dale Vranckx set a new world record by riding a Sea-Doo RXT iS 255 personal watercraft 786 miles (1,265 km) in 16 hours 10 minutes. His average speed for the run was an amazing 56.7 mph (91.2 km/hr).

Starting at 5:15 a.m. on June 19, the St. Williams, Ontario native began riding his first eight-mile lap in Long Point Bay, from Booth’s Harbour Marina to Port Rowan Marina. 786 miles later Vranckx finally finished at 9:25 PM of the same day after completing an astonishing 98 laps.

“Your Life Counts is a great cause and this challenge was a great opportunity to raise awareness of their work and help save young lives,” Vranckx said. As of today, he has raised over $2,000.00 for Your Life Counts. Donations can still be made at www.yourlifecounts.org.

“I have not met anyone else who embodies the sheer grit of determination and perseverance to make it through no matter what. Dale is a great example for our youth showing that by focusing on moving forward and working through difficulties one can accomplish great things in life”, said Rory Butler, Your Life Counts Founder and CEO.

Conditions for the attempt were extremely challenging and included fog, rain and wind up to 20 mph (32 km/h) resulting in two-foot chop. Nicknamed the “Iron Man,” Vranckx chose the RXT iS model for its combination of power, fuel economy and next generation features, including intelligent suspension and cruise control.

“The iCONTROL system is ideal for this type of effort and the full suspension (iS - intelligent suspension) system certainly made some of those miles feel shorter,” he said. “The RXT iS 255 kept the ride smooth, keeping me from getting too fatigued by the waves. The performance of the S3 hull and great power from the Rotax 4-Tec engine enabled me to keep my pace. And its awesome fuel economy meant I spent less time refuelling and more time chasing the record.”

Sea-Doo brand watercraft are the preferred choice for setting distance and endurance world records due to their proven reliability and performance. Vranckx shattered the previous official world record of 642 miles (1,033 km), set on a Sea-Doo GTI 130 in 2008 by Mike Pagliccia in Florida. Vranckx had previously set an unofficial world record in 2007 by riding a Sea-Doo watercraft 751 miles (1,209 km) in 24 hours on Lake Erie. The record for the longest continuous ride is 11,525 miles (18,548 km) set by John Moffett aboard a Sea-Doo GTX in 2007. Alvaro de Marichalar crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 2003 travelling 6743 miles, with a six person support team, aboard a Sea-Doo XP DI, arguably the greatest personal watercraft adventure record of all time.

The Sea-Doo RXT iS 255 features iControl, the world's most advanced watercraft technology, which gives the rider more control than ever before. It includes iBR, the first on-water braking system, iS, the first full suspension system on a PWC, iTC featuring automatic neutral, cruise control and much more. And like all Sea-Doo watercraft, it is designed to last 10 years or more and break a few personal records.

Other sponsors and supporters of Vranckx in this effort included:

* Andrews Sports
* O’Grady & Associates Insurance Brokers
* Ontario South Coast
* Turkey Point Productions
* John Butler Photo
* EZ Dock
* Landstar Systems Inc.
* Booth Harbour Marina
* Dowler-Karn Fuels

Images of this amazing feat can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8008825015 in the photo section.
http://www.trailerboating.ca
www.brp.com