PWI Gets the Low-Down on the 2007/2008 Runabout World Champion

By Justin Stannard

Photo credit: Andrea Wilson, Craig Warner, Monster Energy and Justin Stannard

(Above: Pro Runabout Champ Craig Warner at the 2008 World Finals)

Recently, Personal Watercraft Illustrated had the pleasure of hanging out and shooting the breeze with 2007/2008 Pro Runabout World Champion Craig Warner at our HQ in sunny Costa Mesa, California. While enduring a quick photo-op with photographer Andrea Wilson, Craig was nice enough to answer our prodding questions about his uber-fast, title-winning runabout, his racing history, and where he plans to go from here.

(Above: Craig poses with his 2009 PWI Issue #1, in front of his title-winning Kawi)

Aboard his custom-tailored Kawasaki “STX-R 15F,” Warner dominated at this year’s quakysense World Finals in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and isn’t content just lazily sitting on his throne, either. The guy is a born competitor, and isn’t planning on slacking off just yet. Look forward to seeing Craig not only defending his title on the race course in 2009, but in an exciting special feature in an upcoming issue of Personal Watercraft Illustrated… (that’s all we can leak at this point)

Vital Stats:

Rider Name: Craig Warner

Birthdate: 7/12/79

Hometown: Corona, CA

Residence: Mission Viejo, CA

Race Craft: Kawasaki STX-R (a hybrid Ultra/STX-15F hull)

Sponsors: Monster Energy, Factory Kawasaki, Troy Lee Designs, Slippery When Wet, Hydro-Turf, Skat-Trak, SponsorHouse

Noteworthy mention: Craig Warner is currently the only year-round-sponsored PWC racer for Kawasaki

(Above: Wow. Someone REALLY likes Monster.....or crack cocaine)

Rider Profile:

Favorite Riding Spot: Oceanside, CA. -- Especially when the surf goes off – Craig loves him some wave jumping. Craig’s strong-point is rough water. The worst days on the ocean – freezing cold, raining, with 4- to 5-foot chop and monster waves – are when you’ll find Craig training and jumping surf, beating the living poop out of himself and getting the edge on his competition. The deranged man actually looks forward to poor weather.

(Above: See what we mean?)

Boat of Choice: Kawasaki Ultra 250X/260X

Who Works on the Race Boats? The geniuses over at Kawasaki custom-build the racing watercraft for Craig. However, his technical know-how comes in handy when he’s on the road and the boats need repairs: Craig and his father perform almost all of the maintenance and repairs on his racing craft. Very admirable.

Training regimen: Cardio and strength training are at the core of Warner’s routine – none of that macho 300-pound benchpress stuff here. He keeps it simple, and makes sure to do pushups and situps every night. Craig is a firm believer in mountain biking, and claims it helps keep his legs strong and maintain endurance.

Training Prior to a Race: Swimming and running mostly – Craig tries to do things that keep up his stamina. The Champ keeps up the regular regimen of mountain biking and pushups/situps.

(Above: PWI editor Kevin Shaw and Craig Warner pose with last year's win cover during the 2008 World Finals)

Other Sports: Enjoys all kinds of competitive racing. Craig really wanted to race motocross when he was a kid, but his parents wouldn’t let him – too dangerous. Instead, he started riding standup JetSkis and got pretty damned good at it.

Race history: In 1998, his first year racing, Craig walked away with two World Championship titles on a 785 standup – Novice Limited and Super Stock. A few years later, he was “persuaded” to make the professional transition to runabouts, though he still raced his standup whenever possible. He was Pro Rookie of the Year in 2001, and continued a successful runabout racing career in the Pro Runabout 1200 and Pro Ski classes. After taking 1st place in the Pro Runabout Open Class on the APBA National Tour in 2006 (with a healthy lead of 57 points), Monster Energy took interest. Immediately after signing with Monster Energy, Craig came, seemingly from nowhere, and took the World Finals by storm in 2007 and 2008 – winning the coveted World Champion crown both years.

Future Racing Plans: Craig says, with a smirk, that as long as he doesn’t go completely broke, he’ll always be racing. As of right now, he is very happy in his long-term contract with Monster Energy, and doesn't plan on straying from his Factory Kawasaki deal.

We'd like to thank Craig Warner for taking the time to answer some questions for associate editor Justin Stannard and the rest of the PWI staff, and special thanks to Kawasaki for "allowing" Craig to bring his race craft down for a little photo op!

Now here it is, your moment of zen:

Uh oh! What the heck is this? Another PWI project boat??? Stay tuned!!!