Karujet 2009

This weekend Guadeloupe hosts Karujet 2009, the 12th annual world championship jet ski competition. I don't think I've ever been interested in jet skiing, associating it somewhat as Nascar on water, but Karujet is a very big event here. So M. and I decided to go take in the crowds.

The competition takes place over the course of 4 days, with 7 legs to the race.

The first leg begins at the municipal beach of Gosier in Grand Terre, passes Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Trois-Rivières, Vieux-Fort in Basse Terre, turning at the marina at Rivière-Sens, heading out towards Terre-de-Haut of Les Saintes islands, and then back to Gosier.





The second leg begins at the municipal beach of Gosier in Grand Terre, passes Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Trois-Rivières, Vieux-Fort, Vieux Habitants, ending at the beach Plage Caraïbes of Point-Noire in Basse Terre.






The third leg is identical to the second, but run in reverse.









The fourth leg begins at beach of Petit-Bourg, Plage de Viard, on Basse Terre, finishing at the beach at the beach Plage de Raisin Clair in St. François on Grand Terre.







The fifth leg is identical to the fourth, but run in reverse.









The sixth leg takes place in the water in front of the beach of Petit-Bourg, Plage de Viard, on Basse Terre. Riders must complete three laps.






The seventh leg is a circuit in front of the beach of Petit-Bourg, Plage de Viard, on Basse Terre.

In addition to the actual race, there are also freestyle competitions, where riders perform tricks on water. These competitions take place at the harbor basin in Pointe-à-Pitre.

Click on the image for the full schedule.

Originally scheduled for March, organizers were forced to push back the this year's competition due to the strikes. The delay obliged many international riders to pull out of the Karujet competition since there is another competition the following weekend in France.

Video of this year's competition is not yet available, but this video, from what is probably the 2007 competition, shows some great footage. The commentary is in French.


The start of each race brings together all the riders in competition. Riders surge towards their jet skis, and set off, leaving streaks of white waves behind them. The aerial shots of the start, as well as when riders galop across turquoise blue waters is quite impressive.

Karujet is an example of what is possible in Guadeloupe. Karujet is the kind of event with the look and feel that corresponds to its international reach.

Banners line the promenades next to the viewing bleachers. Karujet has major sponsors such as Air Caraïbes, Vito gas stations, Orange.

Karujet village, with vendor stands, and a huge open air children's playfround. The village is empty only because we went on a Friday afternoon.