Hydroflight Soaring into Erie

The Erie Sports Commission is excited to announce that the 2018 HydroFlight National Tour will return to Erie in July, again hosting HydroFlight events on July 14 along with the new SUPcross Tour on July 15. This year’s events, hosted by Pro Watercross, will again take place in front of the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel on Presque Isle Bay.

Spectator admission is free, with best viewing locations on Dobbins Landing and outside of the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel. The event is sponsored locally by the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, the Courtyard Erie Bayfront Hotel, the Port Authority and Presque Isle Downs and Casino.

On Saturday, the world’s best HydroFlight athletes will return to Erie, performing timed freestyle routines in qualifying events and finals both on Saturday. The competition will begin at approximately 10 a.m. with practice, followed by the pro show at 11 a.m. and amateur competition at 2 p.m. A night competition will begin at 8 p.m.

HydroFlight uses the power of water to send a rider through the air at extreme speeds and soaring heights. A hose is installed into each participants’ personal watercraft (PWC), re-routing all waterpower to a jetpack strapped to the rider. The flyer uses the power of the jet stream to perform intricate stunts and maneuvers.

The SUPcross Tour is new for 2018, and will make its debut on Presque Isle Bay on Sunday.

SUPcross is stand up paddleboard racing on a closed course, bridging the gap between straight-line SUP races and whitewater SUP racing. Intricate turns in the race course are marked by buoys, which the racers will maneuver. The SUPcross competition will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, and continue with pro and amateur competition until awards are presented at 4 p.m.

“We are thrilled to have the HydroFlight National Tour returning to Erie and are confident that the SUPcross will be a huge hit as well,” said Mark Jeanneret, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “These events are known to draw a crowd, as the intricate stunts performed by these athletes are rarely seen anywhere else.”

“We were so impressed with the success of the 2017 Erie event that made sure we would have it on our 2018 calendar as well,” said AJ Handler, President of Pro Watercross. “We cannot wait to show the Erie crowd what SUPcross is all about.”

For more information on this year’s HydroFlight and SUPcross events, visit http://prowatercross.com/.

The Erie Sports Commission is committed to promoting the Erie region as a prime destination for sports and recreation. The major goals of the ESC are to attract, create, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional sports facilities and venues. The ESC strives to enhance the image of Erie by showcasing the community, promote wellness through healthy lifestyles, and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages.