Powerboat Racing Clubs Worldwide

Worldwide Powerboat Racing Clubs and Associations (2025 Overview)

Powerboat and motorboat racing is a thrilling, high-speed sport enjoyed across the globe. From offshore endurance battles across open oceans to circuit races on rivers and lakes, drag boat sprints, and jet sprint challenges, powerboating unites fans and racers with a shared passion for adrenaline on water.

The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) is the international governing body for the sport, sanctioning powerboat activities in over 60 countries. Whether you're a seasoned racer, aspiring amateur, or curious spectator, this global guide offers a robust, country-by-country look at active clubs and associations in 2025.

These are the engines of the sport—organizers, regulators, and community builders of high-performance boating.

🇺🇸 United States of America (USA)

• American Power Boat Association (APBA) Founded in 1903, APBA is the U.S. governing body for powerboat racing and the UIM affiliate. It sanctions everything from junior classes to 200+ mph hydroplanes in over 13 categories across the country.🔗 apba.org

• Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) East Coast-focused organizer of offshore championships, partnered with APBA. Known for its classic shoreline races and community-based events.🔗 oparacing.org

• Race World Offshore (RWO) A pro-level race promoter based in Key West. It produces high-profile offshore events including the Key West Offshore World Championship.🔗 raceworldoffshore.com

• H1 Unlimited Premier U.S. hydroplane league featuring turbine-powered boats hitting 200+ mph. Hosts the iconic Gold Cup and Seafair Cup.🔗 h1unlimited.com

• Southern Drag Boat Association (SDBA) Hosts straight-line, quarter-mile drag races. A staple of the U.S. scene since the 1970s, SDBA features piston and turbine-powered monsters.🔗 sdbaracing.com

• Deep South Racing Association (DSRA) Specializes in outboard drag boat racing across the Gulf Coast. A grassroots favorite with tight community roots.🔗 facebook.com/DSRAracing

• Outboard Drag Boat Association (ODBA) A leading U.S. sanctioning body for competitive outboard-only drag racing, emphasizing power-to-weight and driver skill.🔗 odbaonline.com

• Southern Outlaw Dragboat Association (SODA) Family-friendly association offering 800-foot heads-up drag racing events, mainly in the Southeast.🔗 southernoutlawdragboatassociation.com

• Southern California Speedboat Club (SCSC) Historic circle-racing club in SoCal hosting series like the Long Beach Sprint Nationals.🔗 scscracing.com

• Twin Cities Powerboat Association (TCPBA) Hosts OPC (Outboard Performance Craft) and tunnel boat races in Minnesota and the Midwest.🔗 dillon-racing.com/tcpba

• F1 Powerboat Championship (F1PC) U.S.-based Formula 1 tunnel boat series with multiple national stops and strong international ties.🔗 f1powerboatchampionship.com

BM Bermuda

• The Bermuda Power Boat Association (BPBA) is the governing body for powerboat racing in Bermuda. Established in the mid-20th century, it has played a pivotal role in organizing and promoting the sport on the island.

🇨🇦 Canada

• Canadian Boating Federation (CBF) Canada's national governing body for hydroplane, circuit, and drag boat racing. UIM member.🔗 cbfnc.com

• Hydroplane Racing League (HRL) Based in Quebec, HRL runs the Régates de Valleyfield and a full Canadian-American hydroplane tour.🔗 hrlhydroplane.com

🇲🇽 Mexico & Central America

• Federación Mexicana de Motonáuticas (Mexico) Governs circuit and offshore racing in Mexico; recognized by UIM. Known for the Río Balsas Rally.

• Federación Costarricense de Motores (Costa Rica) Promotes circuit and offshore events; a developing member of UIM.

🌴 Caribbean & South America

• Trinidad & Tobago Powerboat Association (TTPBA) Hosts the legendary Great Race offshore run from Trinidad to Tobago annually since 1969.🔗 thettpba.com

• Federación Colombiana de Motonáutica (Colombia) Organizes national river and lake races; a UIM full member.

• Federación Deportiva Peruana de Motonáutica (Peru) Runs river marathons and endurance events, reviving Peru's international presence.

• Yacht Club Punta del Este (Uruguay) Organizes regional offshore races; a long-standing UIM affiliate.

• Venezuelan Powerboat Federation Oversees Venezuela's racing community and supports local and UIM-level participation.

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🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK)

• British Power Boat Association (BPBA) UK’s national governing body since 2019; coordinates Thundercat, offshore, and circuit races.🔗 ocrda.com

• UK Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (UKOPRA) Hosts the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes and Solent 80; UIM-affiliated for offshore compliance.🔗 ukopra.co.uk

• Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club (LOBMBC) Active circuit racing club known for its Broadwater races.🔗 lobmbc.online

• Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club (LPRC) Based at Carr Mill Dam; a grassroots powerboat and water-skiing club.🔗 facebook.com/LPRC1

🇮🇹 Italy

• Federazione Italiana Motonautica (FIM) UIM founding member and historic powerhouse in all disciplines, including F1H2O and offshore.

🇫🇷 France

• Fédération Française Motonautique (FFM) Hosts the 24 Hours of Rouen and national circuit and offshore series.

🇩🇪 Germany

• Deutscher Motoryachtverband (DMYV) Governs German racing; supports junior classes, circuit series, and ADAC events.

🇸🇪🇳🇴🇫🇮 Scandinavia

• Swedish Powerboat Association (SVERA) – Offshore and circuit racing

• Norwegian Motorsport Federation (NMF) – Offshore Class 1, F2, local championships

• Finnish Sailing and Boating Federation (SPV) – Circuit and youth development

🇷🇺 Eastern Europe

• Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, and others maintain active UIM programs in circuit racing, Formula classes, and youth competition.

🌏 Asia-Pacific

• China Water Sports Federation – Hosts F1H2O races; circuit-focused with growing electric categories.

• Japan Powerboat Association (JPBA) – UIM-affiliated; separate from the national Kyōtei (betting league).

• South Korea, Macau, India, Sri Lanka – Active or emerging federations in circuit and offshore formats.

• Thailand Powerboat Association – Hosts UIM F1H2O and local drag/longtail races.

• Philippines Jet Sport & Powerboat Association – Coastal racing and festival events.

• Australian Power Boat Association (APBA Australia) – The leading racing body across multiple states.

• Australian Formula Jet Sprint Association (AFJSA) – Sanctions V8 Superboats jet sprint championship.

• New Zealand Powerboat Federation (NZPF) – Covers all disciplines.

• NZ Jet Sprint Association (NZJSA) – Originators of the sport; world leaders in jet sprint events.

🌍 Middle East & Africa

• UAE Marine Sports Federation / DIMC / RWO Victory Team – Hosts UIM Class 1, XCAT, F1H2O

• Qatar Marine Sports Federation – Recently revived; former F1H2O and Class 1 champions

• Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt – UIM members with active regional and international ambitions

• South African Power Boat Association (PSA) – Longstanding circuit and junior racing body; former F1 venue

Summary

Whether you're looking to race, spectate, or sponsor, this directory connects you to the heartbeat of powerboat racing worldwide. From grassroots lakefront clubs to global offshore legends, each of these organizations plays a vital role in keeping this high-speed sport alive, accessible, and electrifying.

Feel free to send us any clubs we missed. Also, we are happy to backlink with you!