Severe weather has forced the cancellation of record attempts at the 53rd Coniston Powerboat Records Week on both opening day Monday and today, with heavy rain and flooding leaving the Lake District venue underwater.
Organisers posted on their Facebook page this morning as rain continued to fall across Cumbria:
The rain continues to fall here and the water level on the water has come up considerably overnight with majority of jetties underwater. The weather forecast is due to improve from tomorrow.
Officials will meet at midday with a view to putting the course buoys out this afternoon so we are ready to run from 8am tomorrow (Wednesday 5th), weather dependent of course.
Yellow weather warning
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for Cumbria from midnight until 11am today, forecasting a further 30mm to 60mm of rainfall, with some areas potentially seeing up to 80mm. The Environment Agency noted that local flooding is probable from rivers and surface water across the county.
High winds accompanying the rain have also disrupted travel across the region, with the A66 closed to high-sided vehicles between Scotch Corner and Penrith.
Event background
The 53rd Coniston Powerboat Records Week, sponsored by The Coppermines & Lake District Cottages, brings together powerboat competitors from around the world for the only event in the British racing calendar where all classes compete together. Drivers attempt to break British and world water speed records in their respective categories on the measured course.
The event serves as the finale to the British powerboat racing season and has been held annually since 1970. Entry is free for spectators, with viewing available from the shoreline and the pit area at Coniston Boating Centre.
Officials will assess conditions at midday today before deciding whether to prepare the course for a potential Wednesday resumption, weather permitting. The event is scheduled to run until Friday, November 7.
John Moore’s involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
