Scaling a watersport rental business from a single location with handwritten notebooks to a multi-location operation serving over 150,000 customers annually requires more than just ambition. It requires the right systems, tools, and technology to manage growth without losing control.
Jason Schilder, owner of Xtreme H2O Water Sports, Destin X, and Gilligan’s Water Sports, knows this journey firsthand. When he started Xtreme H2O back in 2004, his reservation system consisted of a pen, a notebook, and pure determination. Today, he operates three busy locations across the Emerald Coast with a fourth opening soon, managing over 100 pieces of equipment including jet skis, pontoons, parasail boats, and tiki boats.
The key to his success? Implementing WaveRez, a professional watersport reservation software designed specifically for multi-location rental operations. Here’s how Jason transformed his business from paper-based chaos to streamlined digital operations that support sustainable growth.
From Paper to Platform: Why Jason Made the Switch
Before finding the right watersport reservation software, Jason kept reservations in a notebook and managed jet ski inventory using hand-drawn matrices that he recreated every single day. “I was holding credit card numbers in books. It wasn’t compliant, and it wasn’t scalable,” Jason admits.
The turning point came when he began working with online travel agencies (OTAs) like TripShock. “To use OTAs effectively, I needed a booking platform that was seamlessly integrated. That’s what got me to look for proper tour operator booking software.”
For watersport operators managing multiple pieces of equipment, having a reservation system that can handle complex inventory scenarios is crucial. Generic booking platforms simply weren’t built for the unique challenges of jet ski rentals, pontoon boats, and parasail operations.
Early Adoption and Hands-On Partnership
Jason became one of WaveRez’s earliest customers, joining when the watersport reservation software was still in its foundational stages. Rather than being a disadvantage, this early adoption allowed Jason to directly influence product development.
“The jet ski matrix feature that operators use today? That was based on my paper version,” Jason said. “WaveRez took my hand-drawn daily grids and made them digital, adding real-time updates and multi-location visibility.”
Despite being an early adopter of relatively new charter reservation software, Jason found the onboarding process smooth and well-supported.
Benefits Jason experienced during early WaveRez adoption:
- Direct input on feature development for jet ski operations
- Responsive support team that understood watersport challenges
- Seamless transition from paper-based systems
- Personal attention during setup and training
- Custom solutions for multi-equipment operations
“It was just me and one or two staff members at the time,” Jason recalled. “The WaveRez team answered every question, solved every technical hiccup, and made the transition as easy as possible.”
Supporting Multi-Location Growth
Jason now manages an impressive fleet across three locations:
Xtreme H2O – 20 jet skis, multiple pontoons, parasail boats, and a passenger vessel
Destin X – 16 pontoons, 15 jet skis, and parasail boats
Gilligan’s Water Sports – 20 pontoons, 8 jet skis, tiki boat, and 2 parasail boats
Coming Soon: Xtreme H2O Fort Walton Beach
Managing this scale of operation would be impossible without WaveRez that provides real-time visibility across all locations.
“We’ve got four offices and a call center all booking equipment in real time without any fear of double-booking,” Jason explained. “I run daily reports across all locations and use the digital matrix to decide when to deploy additional boats or redirect customers to different sites. There’s no way I could manage this on paper.”
Key features that enabled Jason’s multi-location success:
- Real-time inventory management across all locations
- Centralized reporting and analytics dashboard
- Unified booking system for multiple equipment types
- Cross-location customer redirection capabilities
- Integrated call center functionality
Multi-location watersport businesses need tour operator booking software that can scale without creating operational complexity.
Customization That Converts More Bookings
As Jason’s business expanded, his needs became more sophisticated. WaveRez adapted with custom features that directly impact revenue and customer experience.
One crucial development was a customer-facing booking engine that intelligently displays only available inventory across all locations. “If parasailing isn’t running at one location due to weather, customers never see that option,” Jason said. “They only see what’s actually available for booking. We don’t lose potential customers to dead ends anymore.”
Another game-changing addition was Conversion Assist, a CRM and sales tool that automatically follows up with missed calls, engages visitors through chat, and offers strategic upsells.
“We were nervous about automated follow-up at first,” Jason admitted. “But now my team loves it. We’re not missing calls anymore, and upsells like lily pad rentals, extended rental times, and bundled parasail packages get offered automatically without any extra effort from staff.”
Built for Watersports, Not Just Any Business
When asked what sets WaveRez apart from generic booking platforms, Jason emphasized the value of industry-specific boat rental booking software.
“It’s built specifically for what we do,” he said. “Other software companies try to serve 100 different industries. WaveRez focuses exclusively on watersports and boat tours. Their team understands our market, knows our customers, and even knows the specific challenges of our operations.”
This specialization extends beyond just features to include business practices and customer relationships.
Advantages of using WaveRez
- Features designed for weather-dependent operations
- Support teams that understand marine equipment management
- Integration partnerships with watersport industry vendors
- Pricing models built for seasonal rental businesses
- Compliance features for maritime safety requirements
Jason has witnessed other operators struggle with software companies that use high-pressure sales tactics, lock down websites, or suddenly raise rates without warning. “I’ve never experienced that with WaveRez,” he said. “They’ve always been transparent, ethical, and genuinely easy to work with.”
The Bottom Line: More Bookings, Less Stress
Jason credits having the right boat rental booking software not just with smoother operations, but with making his growth possible in the first place. “I wouldn’t have been able to open new locations or manage multiple teams without it,” he says. “It’s not just a tool. It’s the foundation of how we operate.”
When asked what he’d tell another operator considering specialized watersport booking software, Jason doesn’t hesitate: “Do it. Ask yourself if you’re getting the support you need, and if you’re working with a company that has your best interests at heart. With the right partner, you always will.”
🌊 Ready to Transform Your Tour Operation?
Ready to see what purpose-built watersport reservation software can do for your operation? Whether you’re managing jet skis, pontoons, or full tour operations, the right platform makes all the difference.
Schedule a demo to see how industry-leading boat rental booking software can help you scale your watersport business like Jason did.
About the Author
Amber Dudley
