Dakari White has high expectations for the inaugural Bermuda Aquacross Championship.

The president of the newly formed Bermuda Personal Watercraft Association says he is looking forward to some exciting racing in one of the “fastest, most spectacular, demanding and entertaining sports on water”.

White added: “We are excited to bring this to Bermuda. The Bermuda Personal Watercraft Association aims to create the Bermuda Aquacross Championship in 2021, a racing series promoting personal watercraft in a competitive, safe racing environment.

“The BPWA is striving for the Bermuda Aquacross Championship to be an exciting, engaging, spectator-friendly environment that the whole family can enjoy.”

The championship will consist of a nine-race series to be held from April 18 to September 26, with competitors aged 16 and older competing at various racecourses along North Shore.

White added: “This year the championship will consist of nine rounds, spread between venues such as Ferry Reach and Spanish Point, and will bring a combination of inshore buoy racing and offshore/endurance to really challenge the competitors. It’s sure to be exciting racing.”

White said the association is “developing a system” to be able to offer cash prizes at every event as an added incentive.

He added: “This could be in the form of race fees; each competitor paying a sign-up fee of, say, $50 on the day, and at the end the top three competitors will receive a cash prize.”

“This is something we are working to solve and hope to make a reality, as this will be a real incentive to come out and race and I’m sure will keep competition fierce.”

The association is also exploring the possibility of having jet skis taking part in the popular Round the Island Race.

“We couldn’t miss out on the biggest race day of the year,” White said. “We plan to run before the boats earlier in the day and will run along North Shore.

“Unfortunately due to time restrictions, safety precautions and the Bermuda Power Boat Association also running their races, we aren’t able to race along South Shore.

“But we hope to organise our own circumnavigation race in the future. It has been done in the past and we hope to bring that in the future.

“But we will race Round the Island and we hope to offer an even bigger cash prize on the special day.”

White is encouraged by the initial interest shown by potential competitors.

“The BPWA held its first official meeting on February 22 and the turnout was impressive,” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised to be able to present our plans for 2021 to about 25 interested competitors.

“I would say we have about ten confirmed racers at the moment, and I’m hoping this number will increase to at least 20. We even have two women signed up. I think that surprised me the most.”

As well as the racing, White says the association plans to provide an “engaging experience” for the spectators.

“We would also like to offer walk-through pits, vendors, DJs, commentators, prizes and much, much more,” he added. “Spectators will be able to have a clear view of inshore events with bleachers and shoreline seating, and offshore races will be plotted along the coast so spectators can find their favourite spot to watch all the thrills.

“We have many exciting plans moving forward that we hope to be able to bring to life. Things like poker runs, raft-ups, group ride-outs, social events/parties and night races are just few ideas that are sure to bring added interest to our sport and that the BPWA are working to make a reality.

“With the co-operation of all involved, the BPWA hopes to have a successful exciting racing season in 2021.”