It is reported to be the first jet ski contest of its kind to be staged on Grays Harbor. While the jet ski entry list includes competitors from as far away as Lake Havasu City, Ariz., the sports field will be composed mostly of Northwest riders.

"All amateur, weekend warrior jet ski types, many of them ride with the pros," said sports event organizer Dan Lindgren of Aberdeen. "They're probably the best jet ski competitors in the Northwest.." Lindgren and fellow Hoquiam High graduate Adam Bingaman, who currently resides in Vancouver, are the only current jet ski entrants with Harbor roots.

Six-minute qualifying sports runs will trim the jet ski field to 20. Then jet ski competitors will go head-to-head, two at a time, until champions in the Sit-down and Stand-up divisions are therefore determined. The head-to-head jet ski matches will be in a flagged sports section of the course. In the preliminary jet ski rounds, each sports competitor will be asked to do as many stunts as possible in a five-minute jet ski run. Each jet ski run will then be judged and scored to determine which competitor advances.

Semifinal jet ski rounds will be eight minutes and the finals 10 minutes. Awards will be also given to those participants who provide the "sickest trick" and "most awesome wipeout." While the jet ski competition is open to all sports riders with proper safety equipment, Lindgren said he wouldn't recommend anyone without previous jet ski experience to enter competition.

Spectator admission is free of charge. More jet ski information may be obtained by visiting the event Web site, www.graylandopen.com. Most of the jet ski competitors will stay in the South Beach area for an extra day and ride recreationally on the same course on Aug. 30th. Spectators are also welcome to attend that exhibition as well. "There will be more jet skis in this competition than ever seen before," Lindgren predicts.