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44-414: The island was deeded to the city in 1919 with the restriction that it only be used for public or municipal purposes. The city gave it to the state and the state deeded it back to the city with similar restrictions - both in the 1940s. In 1979 the city attempted to circumvent this prohibition by claiming that the underwater land surrounding the island is a preserve and Watson Island need not be protected as per

88-503: A San Diego County jury verdict affirmed in full on appeal in 2014. Another noteworthy risk of injury is known as off throttle steering, which results from the lack of steering capability while off throttle in certain models of PWCs. This can result in death or serious bodily injuries. While also rare, spinal injuries can occur while surf jumping and, potentially, wake jumping. The PWC manufacturers' owner's manuals all include warnings regarding jumping at excessive heights, or operating

132-421: A PWC if there is a prior history of back injury. The current on-product labels say "Jumping wakes or waves can increase the risk of spinal/backbone injuries (paralysis)". The current Kawasaki owner's manual provides: "Slow down before crossing waves. Do not ride if you have a back condition. High speed operation in choppy or rough water may cause back injuries." Another rare, but unique injury risk with jetboats,

176-496: A Public Boat Ramp with 50 oversized parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers. In 2001, voters approved a bond measurer for what many thought was a public park for Watson Island and later many insisted they were tricked by the wording of the measure. However, the allowance was in fact for the City of Miami's public partnership with a developer for a mega-yacht marina related commercial development concept, Island Gardens . In 2004

220-401: A boat lift, a ramp for jet skis and other small craft, and a restaurant, bar and internet cafe. Miami Yacht Club The Miami Yacht Club has been located on Watson Island since the late 1940s. It offers youth and adult sailing programs, and sponsors races, regattas and a Sea Scout ship. The club has boat slips, dry storage, and a lounge, bar and restaurant. Public Boat Ramp There is

264-679: A mix of new and current racers to a new type of racing and in 2013, P1 rolled out a second series in the USA. Such was the uptake that the original format needed revising to cope with the influx of new riders and by the end of 2015 over 400 riders from 11 countries had registered to compete in an AquaX event. In the United States, the main sanctioning bodies are the International Jet Sport Boating Association (IJSBA) and Pro Watercross (PWX). As of 2022,

308-475: A new 56,500-square-foot (5,250 m) facility on Watson Island in 2003. It has ten galleries, classrooms, birthday party rooms, a parent/teacher resource center, an educational gift shop, a 200-seat auditorium and a dining area. Miami Outboard Club The Miami Outboard Club has been located on Watson Island since 1948. It is active in conservation and artificial reef programs, and provides social and educational activities. The club has boat slips, dry storage,

352-407: A paved path for a small tram that would transport passengers to the airship. Grand plans to develop the island started in 1979, with a planned amusement park, Diplomat World. Residents formed "Save Watson Island, Inc", a neighborhood group opposing the use for anything other than a park. They had public demonstrations and because of the demonstrations and a variety of other reasons, the amusement park

396-660: A prototype and submitted a patent to the government of the Kingdom of Greece on the 5th June 1970, with serial number 40056. He never exploited the invention commercially. He died on March 5, 2022. Stand-up PWCs were first produced by the Japanese company Kawasaki (under the Jet Ski brand) in 1972, and appeared on the US market in 1973. These were mass-produced boats to be used by only one rider. While they are still produced today,

440-644: Is a 1,033-acre (418 ha) state park on Biscayne Bay in the municipal suburb of North Miami Beach in metropolitan Miami , Florida . Adjoining the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University , the park contains one of the largest concentrations of Casuarina trees (Australian 'pine'), an invasive species in the state park system. Along the park's coastline are mangrove forests . They provide vital nurseries for aquatic life and filter urban pollutants from coastal waters. The state park promotes biodiversity of flora and fauna through

484-402: Is a primarily recreational watercraft that is designed to hold only a small number of occupants, who sit or stand on top of the craft, not within the craft as in a boat . Prominent brands of PWCs include Jet Skis and Sea-Doos. PWCs have two style categories. The first and the most popular is a compact runabout , typically holding no more than two or three people, who mainly sit on top of

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528-531: Is adjacent to Munisport landfill, a former superfund site. However, no health issues at Oleta River State Park have been linked to the landfill. There are four water treatment plants nearby the state park. The nearest wastewater treatment plant is the North District Wastewater Treatment Plant, which handles their wastewater and others nearby. Jet ski A personal watercraft ( PWC ), also called water scooter ,

572-449: Is being sucked into the intake side of the pump jet. Current PWC products contain on-product warnings that state: " Keep away from Intake Grate while the engine is on. Items such as long hair, loose clothing, or PFD straps can become entangled in moving parts and result in severe injury or drowning". There have been fatal accidents involving PWCs. In a notable case, U.S. astronaut Alan G. Poindexter died in 2012 from injuries sustained in

616-675: Is ejected) off the back can land directly in the path of the PWC's high-pressure jet of water. Unless a rider is appropriately dressed in garments made out of a strong, thick substance like neoprene (as is commonly found in wetsuits ), the jet may penetrate any orifice it reaches. All major PWC manufacturers warn about this risk and recommend that passengers wear wet suit bottoms or equivalent protection. The American Waterski Racing Association recommends that all of their racers wear wet suit bottoms for this same reason. Such orifice injuries can result in permanent disability or death. For example, in 2006,

660-607: Is in January, with about 1.95 inches of rainfall. The highest average rainfall is in September, with about 9.21 inches of rainfall. The central feature of this park is the mouth of the Oleta River , for which it is named. The river has drawn human inhabitants to the area since about 500 B.C, when its shores served as a campground for Tequesta Indians . It was used by U.S. troops (who called it Big Snake Creek) in 1841 during

704-624: Is ruled by each national federation's member of the U.I.M. Aquabike World Championship is known among the motorsports with most different national entries for each competition, reaching up to 32 nationalities and 140 riders registered to compete in Italy in 2018. Other private competitions also exist, such as P1 AquaX, which is a personal watercraft racing series, first launched in the UK in May 2011 by London-based sports promoter Powerboat P1. The series attracted

748-565: The California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District upheld a $ 3.7 million Napa County jury verdict against Polaris Industries arising out of one such incident (which had devastating effects on the victim's lower abdomen). It is also possible for multiple riders on the same PWC to sustain orifice injuries in a single accident, as actually occurred in a 2007 accident at Mission Bay which resulted in

792-554: The Pinecrest neighborhood of Miami in 1936. Over the years, the attraction came to be a popular attraction for Miami residents and tourists, but that trend reversed once it moved to the smaller and less natural setting of Watson Island. Jungle Island has many fewer animals, and none of the old growth vegetation the original park was known for. Jungle Island hosts Miami's most popular event venue with its Treetop Ballroom . Miami Children's Museum The Miami Children's Museum opened

836-604: The Port of Miami Tunnel ; it was completed on August 3, 2014. Aviation Center Chalk's International Airlines maintained a seaplane base on Watson Island from 1926 until it ceased operation in 2007. As of 2006, the City of Miami is relocating the Miami Heliport to a site adjacent to Chalk's seaplane base, with the intention of creating an Aviation Center serving corporate and tourism needs. Ichimura Miami – Japanese Garden The Ichimura Miami - Japanese Garden grew out of

880-692: The Second Seminole War , and further explored in 1881 by Naval Captain William Hawkins Fulford, whose ventured inland to what is now the city of North Miami Beach . The area became more heavily settled in the 1890s and in 1922, developers changed the name from Big Snake Creek to the Oleta River. The river itself no longer flows to the Everglades , but remains a popular area for canoeing. The park also boasts some of

924-409: The 1970s. In the 1960s, the idea was developed further by Clayton Jacobson II of Lake Havasu City, Arizona , USA. Originally a motocross enthusiast, Jacobson's idea was designed in the mid-1960s, powered by an internal pump-jet rather than an outboard motor , made of all aluminum, and had a fixed, upright handle. Jacobson eventually quit his job in banking to devote himself to developing

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968-402: The City of Miami and Miami-Dade County approved Island Gardens, a $ 281 million, hotel and marina development on Watson Island. The development included two hotels, retail and restaurant space, landscaped promenade gardens and a marina serving mega yachts . An environmental watchdog group sued to halt the project, unsuccessfully. In 2009 the equity investor Flagstone had signed up withdrew from

1012-476: The PWC industry's fastest-growing segments. Lifeguards use PWCs equipped with rescue platforms to rescue water users from trouble, as well as flood survivors, and carry them to safety. Police and rangers use them to enforce laws in coastal waters, lakes and rivers. A PWC combined with a wash-reduction system, carrying waterproof loudspeaker equipment and GPS for instructions and distance measurement, has reportedly been used by assistant coaches for rowing sports on

1056-504: The River Tyne. Further, PWCs are used by the U.S. Navy as surface targets. When equipped with GPS, electronic compass, radar reflector, and a radio modem, the PWC can be controlled remotely with a two-way link. Its small shipboard footprint allows it to be stored in and deployed from the smallest of vessels, and it has been used for target practice for armaments of sizes from 5 in (13 cm) cannon to small arms . Apart from

1100-682: The United Kingdom and Europe in the mid-1950s, with models such as the British 200cc propeller-driven Vincent Amanda , and the German Wave Roller . Two thousand Vincent Amandas were exported to Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States. The Sea Skimmer was introduced in 1961 as a highly maneuverable version of a propelled surfboard. It was 1.7 m (5.6 ft) long, powered by an inboard/outboard motor and reached speeds up to 40 km/h (25 mph). The rider lay on

1144-520: The assistance of Friends of Oleta River State Park . The 501(c)(3) nonprofit citizen support organization (CSO); sponsors events, raises funds, and advances the goals of Oleta River State Park. The state park hosts about 15 endangered species. The weather in the area has the lowest average temperature in January, being at 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest average temperature is in July and August, being at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The lowest average rainfall

1188-499: The best wilderness bike trails in the country and is a frequent host for triathlons and other extreme sports events. There is a beach on Biscayne Bay, kayak rentals, and primitive cabins. A Florida State Parks Annual Pass allows unlimited entrance into any of the state parks. Oleta River State Park is also the headquarters to one of the state's five AmeriCorps Florida State Parks chapters. The state park welcomes approximately 25 million visitors annually. Oleta River State Park

1232-683: The boat, controlling the speed with hand throttles and using the feet as rudders. Originally manufactured in Kansas City, operations moved to Boynton, Florida, in 1962, and the name was changed to Aqua-Skimmer. Aqua-Skimmer ceased operations in 1962 and sold its inventory to the military. Renamed Aqua Dart (Aqua Dart INC), the Sea Skimmer, Aqua Skimmer, Aqua Dart was modified for military requirements, and saw service in 1962 river reconnaissance missions in Vietnam and other military missions until

1276-656: The competitors are classified according to the type of watercraft used (with stand-up or saddle). The sport is ruled by the World Powerboating Federation ( Union Internationale Motonautique , U.I.M.) recognised by the International Olympic Committee . The current official world series, established in 1996, is the Aquabike World Championship . The sport is also established at the national level and

1320-482: The deed, as a park, or for public ownership and use. The island had a name change from Causeway Island to Watson Island, named for John W. Watson Sr., who was Mayor of Miami 1912-1915 and 1917–1919. In 1932 Watson Island was considered for the site of Miami's Pan-American Exposition, a World's Fair and "International Merchandise mart." By the end of the 1940s, however, the site of the Exposition, now called Interama,

1364-506: The efforts of Kiyoshi Ichimura, who sent objects, materials and artisans from Tokyo to Miami in the 1950s to construct the San-Ai-An Japanese Garden on Watson Island. The garden opened in 1961. As of 2006, the garden was being redesigned and reconstructed. Jungle Island Jungle Island opened its new facility on Watson Island in 2003. Originally named Parrot Jungle , the popular tourist attraction first opened in

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1408-453: The exception of freestyle, there are at least two categories: saddle jets and stand-up jets. For speed races, gear is generally classified according to the degree of authorized modifications: minor modifications fall into the so-called "stock" category, intermediate modifications into the so-called "limited" category, and more extensive modifications into the category. known as "F1". In freestyle and freeride, these categories do not exist; rather,

1452-601: The fuel capacity to make long cruises, in some cases even beyond 160 kilometres (100 miles). Personal watercraft are often referred by the trademarked brand names of Kawasaki ( Jet Ski ), Yamaha ( WaveRunner ), Bombardier ( Sea-Doo ), Elaqua (E-PWC) and Honda (AquaTrax). The United States Coast Guard defines a personal watercraft, amongst other criteria, as a jet-drive boat less than 12 feet (3.7 m) long. There are many larger " jetboats " not classed as PWCs, some more than 40 feet (12 m) long. Water scooters—as they were originally termed—were first developed in

1496-452: The idea, and had a working prototype by 1965. It differed slightly from modern personal watercraft but had definite similarities. He completed a second prototype a year later made of fiberglass. The first Clayton-type PWC to reach the market was designed by Bombardier in the late 1960s. Bombardier's original designs were not very popular and Bombardier left the business before 1970. In Greece, an inventor named Dimitrios T. Moraitidis, built

1540-749: The island in 2003. The State of Florida offered a site in the Island Gardens project on Watson Island to host the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Permanent Secretariat. As of March 2006 the Florida Department of Transportation was planning to construct a tunnel from the Port of Miami on Dodge Island under the main shipping channel to the MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island. On May 24, 2010, construction began on

1584-413: The more popular design is the sit-down variety of PWC. These sit-down runabouts have been produced by Kawasaki (Jetski), Bombardier ( Sea-Doo ), Yamaha ( WaveRunner ), Honda (AquaTrax), Polaris (Sealion) and Arctic Cat ( Tigershark ). As of 2010, the major manufacturers of PWCs were Kawasaki, Bombardier and Yamaha. Both Yamaha and Kawasaki continue to sell stand-up models but it is a small percentage of

1628-427: The obvious hazards of collisions and mechanical breakdowns common to all vehicles , operating or riding a PWC can involve a risk of orifice injuries. These injuries are typical of the kinds of injuries that waterskiers experience as a result of falling into the water at speed. Such injuries can occur from simply falling in the water at speed or they can occur from the output end of the pump jet. A rider who falls (or

1672-482: The overall market. Electric PWCs were commercialized in the early 2020s. Electric watercraft are increasing in popularity as gasoline engines produce greenhouse gases and can eject motor oil and gasoline directly into waterways . PWC racing competitions take place around the world. There are several disciplines: closed circuit speed races, offshore speed races (offshore), endurance races, freestyle (freestyle) and freeride events. For all these types of events, with

1716-566: The project due to global financial crisis and failure of bank syndication. The city forgave the developer, enabling them to keep right of development, extending the deadline for payments. Miami developer Jorge Perez, was interested as a partner in 2013, at which point the project jumped over three times to a proposed $ 1B project, with interest from the Related Companies. Jorge Perez later pulled out, citing, in part, concern about their expansion regarding City of Miami Beach residents, that

1760-509: The project will cause traffic nightmares on the causeway between the two cities. Flagstone submitted a new outline to the City of Miami that they were not increasing their approved numbers. The local school district for the entire county is Miami-Dade County Public Schools . Zoned schools for Watson Island include: 25°47′05.0″N 080°10′33.0″W  /  25.784722°N 80.175833°W  / 25.784722; -80.175833 Oleta River State Park The Oleta River State Park

1804-819: The sport is experiencing exceeding levels of fragmentation and conflict due to poor management of the sanctioning bodies and non-constructive competition between organizations. The IJSBA World Finals competition is traditionally held in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, in early October. The Pro Watercross World Finals are typically held in Naples, Florida, in November. PWCs are small, fast, easily handled, fairly easy to use, and affordable, and their propulsion systems do not have external propellers, making them in some respects safer than small motorboats for swimmers and wildlife. For these reasons, they are used for fishing , one of

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1848-564: The watercraft as one does when riding an ATV or snowmobile . The second style is a "stand-up" type, typically built for only one occupant who operates the watercraft standing up as in riding a motorized scooter ; it is used more for doing tricks, racing, and in competitions. Both styles have an inboard engine driving a pump-jet that has a screw-shaped impeller to create thrust for propulsion and steering. Most are designed for two or three people, though four-passenger models exist. Many of today's models are built for more extended use and have

1892-412: Was moved North to where Oleta River State Park is today. A Goodyear Blimp base was located on Watson Island from 1930 to 1978, initially on the east side of the island and later on a new landfill area to the west. Goodyear moved the base to Opa-locka Airport after failing to agree on lease renewal terms with the city. Vestiges of the old base still remain such as the imprint of the mooring circle and

1936-440: Was never built. Another development included one from the late 1990s, culminating in 2003 when Jungle Island relocated to Watson. There has been continued controversy stemming from Jungle Island's inability to meet the financing terms it had made with the local municipalities when the move was approved. Local elected officials had and continue to bail out Jungle Island with tax dollars. The Miami Children's Museum also relocated to

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