Matas Kvizikevičius leads the Lithuanian Motorboat Academy in Kaunas, a programme that has developed one of the most effective youth pathways in circuit powerboat racing. Speaking during the UIM Mid-Term Meeting in Lisbon, he outlined what is shaping up to be an ambitious 2026 season for the academy.
The academy model
The Lithuanian Motorboat Academy is based in Kaunas and operates alongside the Lithuanian Motorboat Federation. Its model is deliberately straightforward: the academy provides everything needed to get started – boats, equipment, coaching, storage and technical support – ensuring that financial or logistical barriers do not prevent young pilots from entering the sport.
“At our academy, parents do not need to worry about the things that would normally make powerboating seem more complicated than sports like football or basketball. We provide the boats, equipment, coaching, storage and technical support, so families are not burdened with maintenance or logistics. Children can simply come and train. Later, once they develop a deeper passion for the sport, they can move forward with their own boats and progress into other classes.” – Matas Kvizikevičius
Training takes place twice a week during the season, which runs from April to October, with each session lasting around an hour. The academy’s main focus is Formula Future, the entry-level circuit discipline through which its pilots aged 6-18 have progressed into GT10, GT15, GT30 and other categories.
Beyond the domestic season
Last winter, the academy took its Formula Future programme abroad for the first time, delivering a week-long training camp at Fujairah International Marine Club in the United Arab Emirates. Coaching was led by Kvizikevičius as well as Nida Kilinskaitė, Rokas Frejeris and Gerdas Prakapavičius, with Formula Future and GT15 classes in the programme.
Following the success of that experience, the academy plans to continue organising similar camps in the future, potentially with participation from other countries as well.
Powerboat News covered the Fujairah camp in detail when it took place in February.
A major year ahead
The 2026 season is set to be one of the academy’s most important yet. From August 11-15, Kaunas will host the Formula Future World Championship, where more than 100 pilots from around the world are expected to compete.
In the lead-up to the World Championship, the academy will also organise two local Formula Future championship rounds as well as summer camps, creating a full programme of preparation and competition ahead of the main international event.
Open invitation to powerboating nations
“We warmly welcome all countries to take part in the Formula Future World Championship in Kaunas. For National Authorities and teams in countries where Formula Future is not yet fully established, the Lithuanian Motorboat Academy is ready to help prepare young pilots for international competition. We want this event not only to be a successful championship, but also an opportunity for more nations to enter the sport and become part of the Formula Future community. Interested countries are welcome to contact us to discuss the practical possibilities for participation.” – Matas Kvizikevičius
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.
