Entries are now open for the 2026 SWSC British Masters Championship, with Stewartby Watersports Club confirming a four-round championship between April and October at Stewartby Lake in Bedfordshire.
The announcement carries a notable headline draw: Ben Jelf, who competes in the UIM F1H2O World Championship, will run his boat at the first event over the Easter weekend.
Jelf’s appearance is a rare opportunity to watch a F1H2O boat at a domestic British event.
The 2026 British Masters Championship is the club’s own independent competition, structured around three separate competitive elements within each event.
It follows SWSC’s decision earlier this year to redesign its racing calendar after the CPA advised against proceeding with the national and sprint championship rounds the club had committed to hosting. Powerboat News covered the championship’s launch in full.
2026 SWSC British Masters Championship – Season Dates
Round 1: April 5 (Testing & Training: April 4)
Round 2: August 2 (Testing & Training: August 1)
Round 3: September 26-27
Round 4: October 17-18
Venue: Stewartby Lake, Green Lane, Stewartby, Bedford, MK43 9LY
Event Format
Each race weekend follows a consistent structure across both days. Scrutineering opens at 07:30, registration and race administration at 08:00, and the mandatory drivers briefing at 09:00. Launching begins at 09:30, official practice and qualifying at 10:00, with race starts scheduled from approximately 13:00. Friday afternoon arrival from 14:00 is available for those wishing to set up the evening before.
The championship is run under 2026 CPA and BPBA regulations, with supplementary British Masters Championship rules to be published in due course. Classes competing include F1, F2, F4, T850, GT30, GT15, OSY400, Outboard Hydroplane and Phantom 18. All classes are welcome, with organisers working to accommodate entries across the full grid.
Entry Fees and How to Enter
| Competitor | Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|
| SWSC Member | Senior (16 & over) | £115 |
| SWSC Member | Youth (15 & under) | £95 |
| Non-Member | Senior (16 & over) | £130 |
| Non-Member | Youth (15 & under) | £110 |
Entries are taken via online form and can be submitted for the full season or for individual rounds. Payment is made on the day. Competitors must produce a CPA Licence or Event Licence and a CPA Measurement Certificate and Log Book at registration. All competitors under 18 require a countersigning adult.
Enter the 2026 British Masters Championship
Submit your entry online for individual rounds or the full season. Payment on the day.
For further information, contact Commodore Nigel Edwards at [email protected] or Sue Tassell at [email protected] / 07970406163. Follow the club on social media at @stewartbypowerboat.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His 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 September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
