Jet Ski club forms in Annapolis

But it's not about zooming through the water or doing tricks. It's just about being on the water and at one with nature.

"It's very relaxing," said the Edgewater resident, who has been riding Jet Skis for more than a decade. "I have a high-stress job and it's my getaway. It's like the kid sitting down and eating a bowl of ice cream; the woman getting flowers. It's that unexpected pleasure. It's just short of paradise."

Church recently decided to share a bit of that paradise, serving as event coordinator for a new Annapolis-based organization of Jet Ski enthusiasts.

The Chesapeake Raiders Personal Watercraft Club formed about two months ago, and currently has 28 members who hail from across the county as well as other parts of Maryland and surrounding states.

"It's always more fun to ride with a group," said Dave Robinson, of Jessup, a longtime Jet Ski rider.

He was among the club members who took part in the Raiders' first formal event last weekend, a "Meet and Greet" group ride from Galesville to Annapolis and back. The daylong event attracted about 16 riders - including a few from a sister club in Washington, D.C. - and when they stopped just off Hillsmere Beach for an afternoon break, their watercraft made for a brightly colored display.

"(Jet Skis are) fun, fast and wet," said Martin Tross, an Annapolis resident who serves as club president. "Every year, you get more and more skis out on the bay. We needed a way to meet up, a way people could catch up with each other."

Beyond the fun factor, another reason the ranks of Jet Skiers are growing is because of the vehicles' price tag, which can be as low as a few thousand dollars for a good used model, said club Vice President Mike Davis, of Silver Spring.

Cindy (Ritz) Hudson, of Virginia, who graduated from Annapolis High School with Tross, got her Jet Ski recently and said it was a wonderful decision. She also joined the club, reconnecting with her old high school classmate.

"I grew up around water and the water's been like a second home to me," Hudson said. "It was a no-brainer."

She compared riding it to being on a motorcycle, an analogy used by many club members. The only difference is that there's a lot more "road" with a Jet Ski, they said.

"It's been great," Hudson said. "We've been having a great time."

Not making waves

The Raiders aren't all about fun, though.

To be sure, it's a social club, but the group also stresses education and safety. They're determined to dispel the bad reputation that Jet Skiers have in some people's minds.

"(We get) a bad rap," Robinson opined. "A lot of young people don't know how to handle themselves (on a Jet Ski). The trick is to stay out of boaters' lanes."

As for the noise issue, club members said newer Jet Skis are a lot quieter than older models. There are even electric ones that are much more environmentally friendly, they added.

Many club members are also boaters themselves, so they can approach the subject from both sides. "Powerboats hate sailboats, sailboats hate powerboats, and everyone hates Jet Skis," Church said with a laugh. "That's the pecking order."

But if the club can conduct rides responsibly and show that Jet Skiers can be good neighbors on the water, that could change, Tross said. Davis added that a group effort packs a lot more punch than a single rider trying to stem the tide.

Sgt. Art Windemuth of the state Natural Resources Police said there aren't any more problems with Jet Skis than any other watercraft. Nevertheless, he said the club is a good idea.

"Any sort of club that will help educate people ... and get the word out (about what you) can and can't do is applauded by us," he said.

Tross also wants the club to serve as a resource for new riders, since so many members are veteran Jet Skiers who can offer information and assistance. There will also probably be some safety meetings sponsored by the group, though nothing is set yet.

In the immediate future, the Raiders plan to help out with the annual Great Chesapeake Bay Swim on June 14. The club is also organizing a poker run in July, and a poker run and scavenger hunt in late summer.

"We all can have the same fun on the water," Church said. "It's out there for everyone to enjoy."

For more information about the Chesapeake Raiders, call 410-903-8477 or visit the Web site at www. chesapeakeraiders.com.