Tanner "Tanman" Thomas​
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TNT FREESTYLE SCHOOL

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Offering all levels of training and guidance for stand up watercraft riders, beginner to professional and specializing in freestyle trick riding. 

Backflip Workshop
Check backflipping a jetski off your bucket list! Tanman and his crew can teach you on a Rickter XFS Carbon Core 1200cc School Ski built by TC Freeride

Freestyle School
Guided freestyle training for all level riders.

Bring your own freestyle ski  - or
- AM's/PRO's can ride a ready to rock Rickter XFS 1200!
​- Beginners/AM's we have Rickter Edges and Kawasaki SXRs available!


Currently working out of Portland Oregon and Lake Havasu City, AZ. June 2021
We travel for training trips and bring the school near you! 
​Contact to schedule

Be sure to view our calendar below to see when we may be in a location near you!!

Bring the family and friends on the pontoon boat while you ride!
All Inclusive Trips Available!

​1. Fly into Las Vegas, Nevada! McCarran International Airport
2. Get picked up by The Tanman!
3. Go ride a Rickter Ninja 1200 in Lake Havasu for up to 7 days! 
4. Ride until you're arms fall off at the world capital of 
jet skiing, Body Beach! 
5. Charter our wake surf boat with TC Freeride!


​Now you can have the chance to do a flat water backflip on a Pro Freestyle 1200cc Rickter XFS!
With enough demand lately, we have decided to put together a program where anyone with stand up jetski riding experience can come try their hand at flatwater backflipping my Rickter XFS Ninja 1200 with my guidance.

TNT Freestyle School has successfully taught many riders how to backflip a jetski, we have even worked with kids as young as 10!
In 2017 we were successful in teaching 39 new riders how to backflip our Rickter Ninja 1200. 


We use waterproof BB Talkin' communications devices to communicate directly with you as you're riding to make training more effective! You will be able to hold a conversation with your instructor the entire time you're riding!  

We are the premiere source in the Western US to test out this level of watercraft before you purchase one yourself!
Come take the opportunity to hop on some of the most impressive equipment in the world! A $35,000 Rickter XFS standup watercraft with 180+ HP!

We have teamed up with Freestyle Connection to help the East Coast riders.


                                                                            Check out the BB Talkin' Waterproof headsets!!
The New B.B. Talkin’s new Advanced system into some new Bell Helmet! Big thanks to DCor Visuals for the Bell ambassador connection and B.B. Talkin’ USA we have a rocking new super lightweight freestyle helmet.
These BB Talkin's are how we revolutionized the way people can learn to ride a stand up water craft.
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https://www.bbtalkinusa.com/
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The Backflip Workshop Process
We start off by learning what your stand up jet ski riding level is. Some experience is required.
We go over the preferred method of learning how to accomplish the trick for the first time.

We get you comfortable with the correct body placement and safety guidelines of attempting the trick. Then allow you 10 attempts to land the trick on video. 

After each attempt we can offer the rider advice via our BB Talkin' wireless headsets and show them what is, or is not going well on video.

BB Talkin' wireless communications allow us to talked and listen to the rider as he sets up for maneuvers. This gives us more influence and support for the rider as he is on the water. We can clearly hear each other. 

The rider is responsible for any and all damages to the ski caused by failed attempts, excessive uncontrolled throttle control, contact of the lake bottom/ other watercraft / or person, and also excessive water intrusion. 
This watercraft is an extremely high performance machine that is NOT a toy and should be taken VERY seriously or injury may occur. 
Guided Freestyle Training
Get Freestyle Trained by the Tanman on your own watercraft!
We don't discriminate but Rickter XFS model watercraft are what Tanner has the most experience with riding
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Training can be arranged in many different locations.
Contact for more details
Tannerthetanman@live.com

Topics Covered
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  • Watercraft setup and tuning
"You're only as good as your ski"
  • Riding gear
  • Body positioning
  • Throttle control
  • Setup wakes
  • Wave timing
  • Buoyancy and flotation timing
  • Weight Transfer
  • Rickter XFS Specific Dynamics
  • Aerial control
  • Combining tricks
  • Watercraft maintenance
  • Tips and Tricks of the Trade

Typical Training Schedule


10:00am Equipment preparation
Body Positioning Training
Coached Ridng/Freestyle sessions
12-1pm Stretch, lunch, hydrate, rest and refuel
Trick demonstration & guided practice ​
3-3:30 Ski maintenance and storage
"Pay Attention” - Jerry "JFB" Brandon, Legendary Surf Freerider

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Cost Outline 
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Training full production as explained above. 

Beginner Training 
  • 1 Day $250
          Rider brings ski, can also arrange rental ski for riding level. 
Amateur Training
  • 1 Day $350
  • 5 day Week $1600
Pro Training
  • 1 Day $450
  • 5 day Week $2200
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Guided Vehicles to Ride
Rider liable for any injuries or damages.

Rickter EDGE 701cc
   1 Day $350

​Rickter XFS 1200cc - Ready to Ride - High Performance
​Approx 1-2 hours actual engine time/day. 15 minutes of fuel per tank.
"Until you're tired, and you will get tired tough guy!"
  • Day $500
  • Week $2400​


 
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                   The TNT Experience
15 years of riding and mechanical experience with standup watercraft - Experienced every level of riding in Freestyle and Freeride, from beginners to Professional 1200cc World Finals competitive training. 

Trained by the best, Rick Roy, Hiro “Ninja” Ogino and Taylor Curtis. Involved in building, testing and developing Rickters with TC Freeride and the Rickter Factory for 4 years. 
Worked directly with Dasa Racing and Skat Trak on prototyping high performance engines and pumps that went on to win world titles. 

Come and learn from Tanner in Jetski paradise, fabulous Lake Havasu City AZ, 2 hour drive south of Las Vegas!! Check Out HAVASU 

​Tanner has successfully taught 38+ riders "and growing" how to backflip a Rickter and even coached kids as young as 8 on attempting the trick! 

Freestyle Training PRICING

Backflip Workshop
Beginner Training
Amateur Training
Pro Training
650
250
350
450
Do your first backflip!
per session
per session
per session
BOOK NOW
Book now
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book now
Book now
Rickter 1200cc Ninja
You ride your ski
You ride your ski
You ride your ski
Included
Ski Rental +$300-500
Ski Rental + $300-500
Ski Rental + $500
Book Now
Book Now
Book Now
Book Now
Testimonials

Giannis Trantalidis

Athens
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Greece

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Tanner, my friend. Because of you, my dreams became true. Apart from a wonderful person you are such a good trainer, because you succeeded in one week to teach me the technique and achieve my target. From my heart thanks for all and I wish to you the best. 

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Jamie Barker

Manorville
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New York

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I’ve been riding freestyle jet skis for about a year now, and when I heard about the TNT Freestyle School, I figured it was something I should look into. Before I reached out to Tanner, I had been playing around with a few tricks, but was completely self-taught. The sport isn’t the most well-known, so it’s tough to find people who ride that can push you and help you progress. 
I was pleasantly surprised that when I reached out to Tanner he was both professional, and really eager to help out. He’s a regular dude who loves jet skis and genuinely wants to help out anyone interested in the sport.
In just a few hours, he helped me progress probably more than I had in a whole year riding by myself. He not only evaluated and helped me tweak the way I ride, but he helped out with ski setup, body positioning, and even pre and post ride maintenance. It was a game changer. If you get out to see him in Lake Havasu or can catch him while he’s in your area, taking his class is something you can’t afford to miss out on. Whether you’re a freestyle competitor, a weekend warrior like me, or someone who just wants to do a backflip, the TNT Freestyle School is the way to go

Jamie Barker

Manorville
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New York

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Anthony Nelson

Olympia
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Washington

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Tanman is the sh*t, this was the best money I've ever spent! Best day of my summer! I just went out there and got to send it on one of the most bad ass skis around!

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Come be a part of our TNT Bomb Squad with a training and get your sticker pack, Jet Pilot Riding Gloves and Bomber Eyewear products after working with Tanner.
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