What is it?
An international powerboat championship in which adrenalin-filled teams of two, comprising a pilot and co-pilot, negotiate a 200 metres x 400m “M†circuit. It was born in 1980s South Africa, where amateurs took advantage of huge offshore surf to drive motorised, inflatable lifeboats. It has since expanded hugely to incorporate dozens of other countries.
What are the boats like?
The original boats were little more than lifesaving, single-hull craft that had to be capable of dealing with both calm waters and surf. In harsh conditions the boats have to resist powerful buffeting and often end up perpendicular to the sea. Over two decades, the technology has evolved hugely. Today’s boats plane across water, allowing their hulls to ride on an air-bubble cushion which … More info