WaveRunner is the trademarked name of personal water craft (PWC) produced by the Yamaha Motor Company, but the term "waverunner" has become a generic name for all types of personal watercraft. Another popular name for a PWC is called a Jet Ski.

In 1987, Yamaha introduced the sit-down WaveRunner and the stand-up WaveJammer, and in 2002 introduced the world's first four-stroke high performance PWC.[1] Yamaha continues to manufacture both two stroke and four stroke models, as well as supercharged and naturally aspirated models.

Using nanotechnology, Yamaha engineers were able to create a high-strength, lightweight material called NanoXcel. This material is exclusive to Yamaha and allows making the hulls and decks of select models 25 percent lighter and improving durability- significantly improving the power-to-weight ratio, responsiveness, acceleration and top speed. Yamaha is also the only manufacturer in the PWC industry with full-scale high-compression molding capabilities. [2]

All WaveRunner models have Yamaha's trademarked Visibility Spout: A waterspout from the rear of the craft that improves the watercraft’s conspicuity.

WaveRunners are also popular with ocean-based lifeguards and rescue squads.

Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation manufactures WaveRunners for the North American market in Newnan, Georgia. [3]

The WaveRunner is also featured in an eponymous arcade racing game of the same name by Sega. The game itself consists of a cabinet in which the player controls a simulator that resembles a real WaveRunner and must move the handle and tilt the seat in order to move the watercraft. Unlike similar titles, WaveRunner is more of a straight racer in vein of other Sega Model 2 games, instead of focusing on tricks and stunts.

A personal water craft (PWC) is a recreational watercraft that the rider sits or stands on, rather than inside of, as in a boat. Models have an inboard engine driving a pump jet that has a screw-shaped impeller to create thrust for propulsion and steering. They are often referred by the names WaveRunner, Jet Ski, or Sea-Doo, which are brand names owned by Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Bombardier, respectively.

Most are designed for two or three people, though four-passenger models exist. Stand-up PWCs were first to see mass production and are still popular for single riders. The invention of both major types of PWC is credited to Clayton Jacobson II of Arizona, originally a motocross enthusiast.