Born and raised in San Bruno California I was quickly introduced to water sports at a young age. My parents owned a waterfront property on Clearlake and we would spend every weekend during the summer there. I began water skiing at the age of 4 and tried Speed Skiing at age 9 winning hands down. My Parents saw the danger in that sport and encouraged me to seek other ventures. We bought our first Jet Ski when I was 9 to give my Dad a break from always taking us skiing.

I couldn’t get enough of the Jet Ski and heard of a local race on Clear Lake in April of ’91. I competed in the Beginner Stand Up class aboard an ’87 550, which was bone stock. I placed 3rd in the first moto and won the second. Needless to say I was hooked. I have raced every year since until suffering career threatening injuries in ’96. I was warming up for a ramp jump competition at the end of the ’96 National Tour when a hard impact injured my left foot and lower back. After three years of surgeries and rehabilitation I resumed racing in 2000 basically starting over.

I raced sporadically throughout the 2000 season and full time in 2001 finishing 3rd overall at the World Championships. I switched brands in 2002 from Yamaha to Kawasaki and with the help of Joey Pearce and Joey’s Watercraft Racing won my first National and World Title. Turning Pro this season came with some tough knocks and a financial burden forcing me to think twice about where I want to focus my efforts. While the Pro Tour in the U.S. is fading away, the European Championships is booming with young new blood and the best promoter our Sport has seen. I traveled overseas three times in 2003 and met some wonderful people. I’m looking forward to competing on the entire 2004 European Tour if I can raise the financial support necessary.

Tim Bushman