The 2022 powerboat racing season will officially get under way at Ferry Reach on Sunday.

Competitors will all be keen to lay down an early marker in the senior and youth powerboat classes and jet-ski league.

“The 2022 powerboat racing season is upon us,” Robert Cardwell, the Bermuda Power Boat Association commodore,“ told The Royal Gazette. “We have the first Ferry Reach race planned for this coming Sunday.

“We will have junior races followed by jet ski and powerboat races. We hope to run the usual A, B, C, D and S classes. Our teams are hustling to get their boats ready and we are hoping for a good turnout.”

The start of last season was delayed from April to June owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in the BPBA’s 2020 season being cancelled.

Last season saw the relaunch the BPBA’s junior programme, which proved to be extremely popular among race fans, while the jet-skis returned from an 11-year absence.

The association also introduced a cash prize incentive for the top three adult teams in each race for the first time last season.

Cardwell was returned as commodore during the BPBA’s annual meeting in January.

“The Bermuda Power Boat Association looks forward to a productive 2022 race season,” he said.

“The 2021 junior season was a hit and we are looking to increase this and also expect more jet skis to sign up to race through 2022.

“We also have a race planned from Cross Island, Dockyard, in June.”

Meanwhile, the BPBA has donated $3,000 to St John Ambulance in appreciation for the services provided throughout the season.

“We are very grateful for St John’s support of the BPBA, being at our race days and always at the ready,” Cardwell said.