Seabrook’s Falvey set to compete against area’s best tomorrow

SEABROOK — For Leeanne Falvey, one of the world’s top jet ski racers, “a day at the beach” is anything but.

You won’t catch her admiring sandy metropolises or flingling neon colored frisbees with friends.

While the sunbathers lounge, Falvey travels the country whizzing around the open seas in her Yamaha, dodging buoys and beating the best in jet-ski racing.

This weekend, the Seabrook native will have a chance to show her skills closer to home as she will compete in the U.S. Toyota/Sea Doo Regional Championship Races at Salisbury Beach. As part of Salisbury’s Sand and Sea Festival, this will be the first-ever watercross event held on the Mass. shoreline.

Falvey will be among the most decorated riders to compete at the event. After taking up the sport in 2000, she has competed in the women’s Pro-Am World Championships six times, finishing as high as second in 2004.

Though her rise to the top of the sport seems relatively quick, it has come at a price.

Her list of injuries — bad back, concussions and muscle tears — might have her confused with an NFL linebacker. She’s been bumped, rammed and even run over by fellow racers. That’s not to mention the unforgiving waves that pound on riders for the duration of the 10 minute race.

But for the 38-year-old thrill seeker, who once showed up to an award’s ceremony in a neck brace, it all comes with the territory.

“It’s scary but exciting at the same time,” she said. “It can get crazy out there, so crazy you don’t even know what’s going on. Girls have had their hands mangled or been run over. It’s dangerous but I love it.”

The dangerous nature of the sport hasn’t thwarted Falvey’s passion for racing in the least. In fact, she’s sought out the toughest competition all over the country, competing in men’s races at every opportunity. They’ve never been easy on her, but after a few years of leaving them in her wake, she’s earned their respect.

“They’re a little bit rougher,” said Falvey of the men. “I’ve ridden with them for a while and I’ve beat the best of them. I just love to battle them. What’s better than having all the guys chase you?”

The chasing always starts out in total chaos. With over a dozen riders simultaneously pushing their boats to the limit, the water surges like a mini typhoon at the starting line. Riders punch through each other’s wakes, blindly going airborne and plunging back down into the foamy pool below.

“I almost landed on a guy once,” Falvey recalled. “I was coming down and he was right underneath me. I just jumped off thinking, ‘At least it will be a little lighter without me.’ The boat didn’t end up landing on him, so I guess I kind of (took myself) out of that race.”

From May to October, riders risk life and limb during National Tour events and a handful of others, like the regional in Salisbury.

Still, there’s no big pay day.

Most riders will pay $400 in fees to race for a weekend. Fifty percent of the total fees goes to the first-place finisher.

At one point, jet ski racing was so lucrative, a rider could pull in thousands of dollars in a weekend. In 2004 when Falvey came in second overall in the World Championships, she walked away with just $750.

Without the attraction of big money, most of the competitors are the ones who aren’t scared of the occasional concussion by jet-ski. These riders simply need to ride. Falvey’s dream is to see this breed multiply.

“It’s a great family of people, the people who ride together,” said Falvey. “I’d like to see the sport get bigger though. I’m really hoping it goes over big in Salisbury. There are some great spots for it in this area and I think it could get huge.”

For now, Falvey is just enjoying her time as a racer and all that comes with it. A typical weekend for the riders includes plenty of post-race celebrating and parties.

“I could probably focus a little bit more,” she said. “But I’m having too much fun. I can stay out late and still ride well the next day. To each his own.”

A bookkeeper by day, her race-day routine follows one simple formula: wake up and race.

No shovel. No pale. And sunscreen will be the least of her worries as she hops on the back of her ski on Saturday morning in Salisbury.

For Falvey and others like her, it’ll be just another heart-pounding day at the beach, toe-to-toe against Mother Nature and the field.

The Daily News
Published: June 28, 2007
By Phil Perry