Meet the Designer of Ride Engine PWC Performance Accessories
Ride Engine's shift to creating high-performance accessories is fueled by a passion for enhancing the PWC (personal watercraft) experience and a deep understanding of upfitting needs. Leading this innovation is Julien Fillion, the lead designer at Ride Engine and a long-time advocate for using PWCs to fuel his water-based passions. Whether it's chasing tow surf and tow foil sessions or scouting standing wave rapids for surfing in his hometown of Montreal. Julien's extensive time on PWCs has led him on a path as a global ambassador for Sea-Doo. His in-depth knowledge of on-water performance of PWC’s has been instrumental in shaping the products he designs for Ride Engine.
Julien, where do you call home base?
I live in Montreal most of the year, and Maui in the winter.
What first got you interested in personal watercraft?
From a young age, I was fascinated by Personal Watercraft (PWC). Although I didn't grow up riding them, I bought my first Sea-Doo as soon as I was old enough. Initially, I used my PWC for wakeskating, hitting rails while wakeboarding, and tow-surfing.
How did you become exposed to the use of a “rescue” sled for a PWC?
Interestingly, I had never seen a PWC sled until I arrived in Maui in my late teens. I thought it was a very clever idea, primarily used by big wave tow-surfing crews at the time. My first sled was actually built by a local Maui board shaper and glassed like a regular surfboard. I also remember getting a Cabrinha Tow Sled that used Drop Stitch material technology, the same technology introduced in the SUP market several years later. It seems like this inflatable tow sled from the early 2000s was ahead of its time.
How do you see sleds increasing the performance and versatility of a PWC?
In addition to expanding the overall surface area of your PWC, a well-connected performance sled also enhances the unit's overall stability. When using a PWC for boardsports, a sled makes it much easier to board and disembark, set up your gear, and navigate.
Where did the concept of a “inflatable collar” for PWC come from?
In the evolution of Personal Watercraft (PWC), inflatable collars, also known as sponsons, have gone through periods of popularity. Their use began in the 1980s, a time when PWCs lacked stability compared to other watercraft, which raised safety concerns and limited performance. To solve these issues, engineers and enthusiasts started adding inflatable or rigid collars to the sides of PWCs, usually a short 3-4 foot section starting from the stern. Today, modern performance collars are securely attached, creating a seamless integration with the PWC.
Why would you recommend an “inflatable collar” for a PWC and are they for everyone?
Inflatable collars are a simple yet permanent addition to your PWC, enhancing stability, flotation, and impact protection while providing a smoother ride in rough conditions, reducing bow spray, and increasing the ability to carry more equipment. In the event of a water infiltration emergency, the inflatable collar ensures that your PWC remains buoyant and afloat.
What lead you to engineering and designing performance accessories for PWC with Ride Engine?
With Ride Engine emerging as a leader in hydrofoil surfing accessories and the increasing use of PWCs for tow foiling, it was a natural transition for us to introduce PWC performance accessories. We cover the three major manufacturers—Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki—and are proud to bring our performance touch to this established market.
You are a global ambassador for Sea-Doo has this helped in developing the performance accessories for PWC’s?
Absolutely, PWCs have played a crucial role in my career, and being associated with the Sea-Doo family provides me with a great perspective on the future of PWCs and the growing demand for performance accessories. Most personal watercraft are design and build for the mass market, with little addition like an inflatable collar, they turn into amazing performance watercraft vessels.
Being an accomplished tow-surfer and tow-foiler and most recently a swift water rescue responder, the PWC for you represents a tool or key piece of equipment, but are there times you just love to go rip around on the PWC?
To be honest, for years, I mainly used Personal Watercraft for surf, foil, and rescue purposes. However, in the past couple of years, I've truly enjoyed exploring on my Sea-Doos and taking long, smooth rides on glassy waters. It gives me a real sense of freedom, similar to the euphoria that motorcyclists experience on the open road. I'm very excited to see what the future holds for PWCs. These are some of the only times when I can truly clear my mind and simply enjoy the wind in my face.
Any last words for PWC lovers out there?
I love how intrigued boardsport PWC owners are about inflatable collars. They’re a fantastic addition to any watercraft, transforming your PWC into small, ultra agile & lightning fast vessels. Let’s be honest—most bodies of water are choppy and bumpy, and that’s where inflatable collars really shine.
