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Entire Article with Photos: http://thebeachsideresident.com/2015/05/j-j-turk-travis-lofland-local-super-boat-team-no-vacancy/
This May 15-17, when you hear the thunderous roar of the high-powered super boats skipping across the waves of Cocoa Beach, enhance your excitement with some deeper understanding of the people at the wheel and throttle – people like JJ Turk and Travis Lofland, whose “No Vacancy” offshore team represents the beachside during one of the world’s premier super boat events – the 6th Annual Thunder on Cocoa Beach Super Boat Grand Prix.
We sat down with JJ and throttle man Travis, two fearless men, to find out what makes them tick – and what keeps their heads cool during heated, heart-stopping moments out on the ocean.
JJ, tell us about your own history and local connections – and the seeds of your respective careers. How did you get into racing?
JJ Turk: I was born and raised in Ocean Beach, San Diego. I grew up surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, riding dirt bikes, ATVs, dune buggies, and my favorite hobby – racing RC cars. From a early age my family really embraced the SoCal lifestyle. I got into a bad car accident when I was in high school that wasn’t my fault. The money I received from the settlement helped me start my first surf shop in OB called Above All Surf, Skate, & Snow. I eventually sold that shop to the owner of SRH clothing and took a trip to Cocoa Beach to visit my mom and dad. They had been out here trying to get their hotel, La Quinta, up and running. As soon as I landed here I’ve been in love with this little beach town and have lived here for 18 years now.
My father was me and my friends’ hero, so when I got a chance to work with him in Florida I didn’t hesitate. The La Quinta Inn of Cocoa Beach is the home of the original seven astronauts, and I just find that awesome. I didn’t grow up here, so to me the Space Program was always bigger-than-life. I consider myself as a custodian for this property, with its rich history and my father’s hard work. I met my wife, Keriann, here on Spring Break way back in ’98. We have two wonderful children – Cameron, 8, and Kylee, 6 – and have been married for 10 years. My father passed away in 2010, and me and my family have been running the hotel ever since. I have had a lot of help with this hotel and couldn’t have done it with out my great staff and the relationships we’ve formed over the years.
Travis Lofland: My career on the water began the summer of ’98. I was bartending my way through college in Austin, TX, after getting out of the Army and realizing working until 4 a.m. five nights a week wasn’t conducive to getting my education. Having grown up in The Pacific Northwest, my best friend in high school came from a fishing family, and I was well aware of the potential for making some quick, hard-earned cash. So north to Alaska I went for a “semester off.” I’ve been fishing ever since, salmon in ’98 and in January ’99 my crabbing career started. I’ve sailed from LA to Russia and harvested squid, salmon, multiple species of crab, halibut, and black cod. In ’02, I started working for Keith Colburn on the FV Wizard and in Season Three, it became a featured vessel on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” … the rest is history!
I’ve also been on the Time Bandit and am currently the Cornelia Marie. In the summer of ’06 I was invited to Sarasota as a special guest for a charity fishing tournament called “The Friendliest Catch” on 4th of July weekend during the Superboat Grand Prix. It was the moment I climbed in the SuperCat JD Byrider with Mark Kowalski (currently STIHL Throttleman) and hit a 140 mph that I knew I was hooked. I’ve been involved ever since.
Scotty B, from Miss Geico, made the call and got me my start after hounding him for four years – a call I’m forever grateful for. I throttled the Time Bandit SVL with Bob Mazikowski for a couple of years and have driven for Peter Meyers in the Instigator in Cocoa Beach and select other races the last two years. I was coming in to town to visit my friend and lobster diving buddy, Sean Slater, and he pointed me to La Quinta and the Turk family. And, once again, the rest is history. Thanks, Sean!
JJ: My first experience came about in 2012 when my wife called me and said there is a really cool go-fast boat in front of the hotel and that I should come see it. While I was admiring the boat, the owner – Brian Williamson– came up to me and we started talking. He was here for the boat races and needed some support. I instantly gave him and his race crew free rooms for the event – with two exceptions: they had to put on a sticker for our hotel in memory of my dad, “Big John Turk,” and carry his ashes with them during the race. After the race, I got a call from Brian asking me if I would like to race with him in the 32nd Annual Key West World Championship. Of course I said “Yes,” and we ended up getting 2nd Place. We’ve been friends ever since.
What about your involvement with Thunder on Cocoa Beach? How did you first become a part of the event?
JJ: After Key West World, I’ve been hooked. When the Super Boat International race comes to town, I really try my best to take care of the racers who are here putting on the show. The La Quinta Inn of Cocoa Beach sponsors a few offshore race teams, including our own “No Vacancy” offshore racing team. We throw a special racer party on Saturday night so the racers can relax and catch up with each other. I’ve always been a big supporter of Kerry Bartlett and staff for their efforts building the race up to what it is now.
You’ve surely had some close calls in your career. Tell us about one of your craziest experiences out on the water.
JJ: My craziest race experience was in 2013 in Cocoa Beach. The start got crowded, and my friends from the Tilted Kilt Race team got cut off by another boat (won’t mention names) and ended up catching the back side of a wave a quickly spinning out and threw water and metal all over the race course. I grabbed the wheel and yanked it left and went through a 100′ wall of water blinded and ended up in 2nd Place. We were on the outside leg where the big holes hide and we launched off a wave and landed so hard my knee popped out of its socket and I started to slip into the bottom of the boat.
My then-throttle man kept hammering down – he didn’t even know I couldn’t see and was in trouble. I eventually got back in the seat and we were in hot pursuit of the 1st Place boat, which went wide at turn two by the Pier and we snuck into 1st for a bit then got passed down the beach again. When the 1st Place boat radioed in that we were out I was like, “Yes! We got this!” Then our outdrive blew out and we were done.
What’s one of the big misconceptions about the races you’d like to dispel for the fans?
JJ: A big misconception I see from fans is that these racers are unapproachable, or think they’re better. Most of the racers I meet are really good people. Our “No Vacancy” offshore race team is all about the kids, family, and our friends. We hope to meet all of you race fans this year in Cocoa Beach!
JJ and Travis will be present at the Kick-Off Party at Juice ‘N’ Java Thursday night and the Minutemen Block Party party Friday night in front of the Tiny Turtle, as well as at all stops throughout the race. They’ll also be in the pits all day Saturday. Travis will be present at the Cape Canaveral Beach Wave on Tuesday and Friday before the event. Both will also be available for a meet-and-greet at Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster all day Wednesday and Pineapple Point on Thursday morning, and Juice N’ Java in the evening. Stop by and give them some local luck!
This May 15-17, when you hear the thunderous roar of the high-powered super boats skipping across the waves of Cocoa Beach, enhance your excitement with some deeper understanding of the people at the wheel and throttle – people like JJ Turk and Travis Lofland, whose “No Vacancy” offshore team represents the beachside during one of the world’s premier super boat events – the 6th Annual Thunder on Cocoa Beach Super Boat Grand Prix.
We sat down with JJ and throttle man Travis, two fearless men, to find out what makes them tick – and what keeps their heads cool during heated, heart-stopping moments out on the ocean.
JJ, tell us about your own history and local connections – and the seeds of your respective careers. How did you get into racing?
JJ Turk: I was born and raised in Ocean Beach, San Diego. I grew up surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, riding dirt bikes, ATVs, dune buggies, and my favorite hobby – racing RC cars. From a early age my family really embraced the SoCal lifestyle. I got into a bad car accident when I was in high school that wasn’t my fault. The money I received from the settlement helped me start my first surf shop in OB called Above All Surf, Skate, & Snow. I eventually sold that shop to the owner of SRH clothing and took a trip to Cocoa Beach to visit my mom and dad. They had been out here trying to get their hotel, La Quinta, up and running. As soon as I landed here I’ve been in love with this little beach town and have lived here for 18 years now.
My father was me and my friends’ hero, so when I got a chance to work with him in Florida I didn’t hesitate. The La Quinta Inn of Cocoa Beach is the home of the original seven astronauts, and I just find that awesome. I didn’t grow up here, so to me the Space Program was always bigger-than-life. I consider myself as a custodian for this property, with its rich history and my father’s hard work. I met my wife, Keriann, here on Spring Break way back in ’98. We have two wonderful children – Cameron, 8, and Kylee, 6 – and have been married for 10 years. My father passed away in 2010, and me and my family have been running the hotel ever since. I have had a lot of help with this hotel and couldn’t have done it with out my great staff and the relationships we’ve formed over the years.
Travis Lofland: My career on the water began the summer of ’98. I was bartending my way through college in Austin, TX, after getting out of the Army and realizing working until 4 a.m. five nights a week wasn’t conducive to getting my education. Having grown up in The Pacific Northwest, my best friend in high school came from a fishing family, and I was well aware of the potential for making some quick, hard-earned cash. So north to Alaska I went for a “semester off.” I’ve been fishing ever since, salmon in ’98 and in January ’99 my crabbing career started. I’ve sailed from LA to Russia and harvested squid, salmon, multiple species of crab, halibut, and black cod. In ’02, I started working for Keith Colburn on the FV Wizard and in Season Three, it became a featured vessel on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” … the rest is history!
I’ve also been on the Time Bandit and am currently the Cornelia Marie. In the summer of ’06 I was invited to Sarasota as a special guest for a charity fishing tournament called “The Friendliest Catch” on 4th of July weekend during the Superboat Grand Prix. It was the moment I climbed in the SuperCat JD Byrider with Mark Kowalski (currently STIHL Throttleman) and hit a 140 mph that I knew I was hooked. I’ve been involved ever since.
Scotty B, from Miss Geico, made the call and got me my start after hounding him for four years – a call I’m forever grateful for. I throttled the Time Bandit SVL with Bob Mazikowski for a couple of years and have driven for Peter Meyers in the Instigator in Cocoa Beach and select other races the last two years. I was coming in to town to visit my friend and lobster diving buddy, Sean Slater, and he pointed me to La Quinta and the Turk family. And, once again, the rest is history. Thanks, Sean!
JJ: My first experience came about in 2012 when my wife called me and said there is a really cool go-fast boat in front of the hotel and that I should come see it. While I was admiring the boat, the owner – Brian Williamson– came up to me and we started talking. He was here for the boat races and needed some support. I instantly gave him and his race crew free rooms for the event – with two exceptions: they had to put on a sticker for our hotel in memory of my dad, “Big John Turk,” and carry his ashes with them during the race. After the race, I got a call from Brian asking me if I would like to race with him in the 32nd Annual Key West World Championship. Of course I said “Yes,” and we ended up getting 2nd Place. We’ve been friends ever since.
What about your involvement with Thunder on Cocoa Beach? How did you first become a part of the event?
JJ: After Key West World, I’ve been hooked. When the Super Boat International race comes to town, I really try my best to take care of the racers who are here putting on the show. The La Quinta Inn of Cocoa Beach sponsors a few offshore race teams, including our own “No Vacancy” offshore racing team. We throw a special racer party on Saturday night so the racers can relax and catch up with each other. I’ve always been a big supporter of Kerry Bartlett and staff for their efforts building the race up to what it is now.
You’ve surely had some close calls in your career. Tell us about one of your craziest experiences out on the water.
JJ: My craziest race experience was in 2013 in Cocoa Beach. The start got crowded, and my friends from the Tilted Kilt Race team got cut off by another boat (won’t mention names) and ended up catching the back side of a wave a quickly spinning out and threw water and metal all over the race course. I grabbed the wheel and yanked it left and went through a 100′ wall of water blinded and ended up in 2nd Place. We were on the outside leg where the big holes hide and we launched off a wave and landed so hard my knee popped out of its socket and I started to slip into the bottom of the boat.
My then-throttle man kept hammering down – he didn’t even know I couldn’t see and was in trouble. I eventually got back in the seat and we were in hot pursuit of the 1st Place boat, which went wide at turn two by the Pier and we snuck into 1st for a bit then got passed down the beach again. When the 1st Place boat radioed in that we were out I was like, “Yes! We got this!” Then our outdrive blew out and we were done.
What’s one of the big misconceptions about the races you’d like to dispel for the fans?
JJ: A big misconception I see from fans is that these racers are unapproachable, or think they’re better. Most of the racers I meet are really good people. Our “No Vacancy” offshore race team is all about the kids, family, and our friends. We hope to meet all of you race fans this year in Cocoa Beach!
JJ and Travis will be present at the Kick-Off Party at Juice ‘N’ Java Thursday night and the Minutemen Block Party party Friday night in front of the Tiny Turtle, as well as at all stops throughout the race. They’ll also be in the pits all day Saturday. Travis will be present at the Cape Canaveral Beach Wave on Tuesday and Friday before the event. Both will also be available for a meet-and-greet at Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster all day Wednesday and Pineapple Point on Thursday morning, and Juice N’ Java in the evening. Stop by and give them some local luck!
