BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 16, 2021 / Hugh D. Fuller is no stranger to dedicating time and hard work to being a throttleman in the world of professional powerboat racing. He has spent much of his life perfecting his craft and creating a name for himself in powerboat racing. As an accomplished member of the community, he knows his way around the water and all the best practices to become a successful powerboat throttleman.
Below, Hugh D. Fuller outlines some of his best tips on how to become a powerboat throttleman.
What is a Throttleman?
A throttleman is one part of the dynamic duo that participates in powerboat racing. The throttleman is the right-hand man to the driver, who steers and navigates the boat. A throttleman is the driving force behind the boat and manages the boat with throttle control, meaning he controls the engine and power that propels the boat forward. They do so by communicating constantly with the driver and asking them when they want more or less power, discussing when to start a turn, when the boat is set in turn, and when to give more power out of turn. A good way for the throttleman to communicate is through a radio, but if the radio is lost in the rough waters, the driver will create hand signals before the race begins. They must also have a good eye and great coordination in order to ensure the safety of the boat and the people on it.
Patience and Practice
Being a throttleman is no easy task and it takes a lot of practice and the ability to have the utmost patience when you're starting out. It can be frustrating at times, but you have to keep in mind everyone starts somewhere.
Practicing and focusing on your coordination is a major part of being a throttleman. As a throttleman, you are responsible for maintaining the speed of the boat at all times. The key to this is coordination - learning how to coordinate your body with the movement and flux of water around you, and vice versa.
Hugh D. Fuller has always been a powerboat driver but has also raced as a throttleman at times and has won national and world championships in the extreme class for throttleman.
"I've enjoyed the role of a throttleman, but I like being the driver better because you have full control of the boat's direction, you decide how and where to take a wave, and you have the ability to steer out if a tight turn is needed and things go wrong."
"I began my career in the driver position, so it hasn't always been an easy transition as the throttleman. With practice and learning from my peers in the community, I gained the valuable experience necessary to become a throttleman."
Focus and Attention to Detail
Being a throttleman requires a lot of focus and attention to detail on multiple elements on and off the boat. Learning how to maintain a strong focus will help you excel as a throttleman. Not only will you have to focus on the driver and their needs, but watching the waters and learning how to navigate through the curves of the course requires a lot of attention and focus.
"Keeping focus and learning the most important elements to watch will help any new throttleman," said Hugh D. Fuller. "Learning the ropes won't always be easy but keeping a steady focus will make it simpler for you in the learning process."
Being a throttleman is such a rewarding experience. With hard work and dedication, you and your team can accomplish a lot, win any competitions and championships, and overall master the art of powerboat racing.
Team Ethic
Being able to work as a team is a key component in being a throttleman. Powerboat racing isn't a one-man job; it takes effort and the ability to communicate with your driver/partner. Without a good team ethic and dynamic you'll find yourself struggling in races if you are each attempting to only manage your own role.
"Working as a team is something people have to adapt to if they've never done it before," says Hugh D. Fuller. "Once you learn to work together it makes all the difference and the dynamic is much better and your skills will bounce off each other."
Learn more about Hugh D. Fuller's racing career here.
Contact: Andrew Mitchell, [email protected]
SOURCE: Hugh Fuller