"Once-struggling student takes hydroplane torch...Teenager sparked by father's passion" -- July17, 2006

BY CALEB BREAKEY
THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- Second-generation hydroplane racer Mike Perman first hit the water as an 11-year-old in 1998.

Perman, the son of Tony Perman, a board member of the Seattle Outboard Association, had stalled his boat when another racer -- rope in hand -- trudged into the lake to help him.

"Oh, no. I don't think so," the younger Perman said as the racer offered to pull him in. "My dad's going to come and get me."

The rescuer told Perman it was a long swim back to land, but his mind was set.

"No, no, dad will come and get me," he said.

The helper then looked around and, sure enough, Tony Perman was whacking his way through the brush near the water's edge, on his way toward his son.

Benny Betsch, a member of the Seattle Outboard Association, said the Perman's father-son bond is just one of hydroplane racing's lasting legacies.

"It's really nice to see sons and dads, where the dad is the hero, and the son is also the dad's hero," Betsch said. "Families that race together stay together."

Betsch said Mike Perman was doing poorly in school at that point in his life, nearly flunking and only interested in candy and computer games.

"He didn't feel real good about himself," Tony Perman said. "I noticed when we started racing the boats, all of that changed."

Now a sophomore flight technology major at Central Washington University, Perman, 19, holds a 3.7 grade-point average.

Mike's turnaround began while watching his father and Betsch set up hydroplanes for races. The youngster started pointing out their mistakes as they prepared the boats.

"So all of a sudden he started taking more interest in his own set up, and now he won't even let us set it up hardly because he doesn't trust us," Betsch said. "He's got certain ways he likes to do it."

Mike Perman said the hydroplane racers he grew up with taught him personal responsibility and to always help others. Countless weekends with each other filled with jokes, laughter and talks about life helped build Mike's character, Tony said.

Perman said those times indirectly helped him reach one of his goals, to become a top-notch hydroplane racer.

"Being a boat racer helps you mature more and faster," he said. "Also, being more mature helps you be a better racer, and since we're all striving to be better racers, I think it helps accelerate that maturity process."

Betsch said Perman now has the ability to realize a dream, focus and achieve it.

"That's what I like to see, when a young man takes control of his life and sets his own destiny," Betsch said. "You'd never think that of the kid seven years ago."

Raising young hydroplane drivers takes the whole village, not one person, Betsch said.

Racers are involved in hydroplaning for more than just the races; they also enjoy the family atmosphere and passing on their knowledge to younger racers.

"Success and almost everything is about maturity and discipline," Mike Perman said. "The torch kind of gets passed."