APBA Announces 2026 Offshore National Series with RWO Return

The American Power Boat Association has announced its 2026 Offshore National Series calendar, featuring six confirmed venues spanning May through November and marking Race World Offshore’s return to APBA sanctioning after the two organisations completed reunification negotiations.

The six-round schedule opens at Thunder on Cocoa Beach on May 15-17 before visiting Atlantic City, Michigan City, Clearwater and Englewood Beach ahead of the traditional season finale at Key West World Championship Week on November 1-8.

Race World Offshore Returns to APBA Structure

Race World Offshore will operate Atlantic City Grand Prix, Great Lakes Grand Prix, Clearwater Offshore Nationals and Key West World Championship under APBA sanctioning, creating unified rules and national points across four of the six confirmed venues.

Larry Bleil, Race World Offshore president, confirmed the organisation’s commitment to the reunification.

We’re excited to join back with APBA and build a unified path forward for offshore racing. Consistency in rules and regulations is essential, not just for fairness, but for the long-term health of the sport and the racers who invest so much in it.

The alignment follows complex negotiations between American offshore powerboat racing’s primary sanctioning bodies after several years of separate operations.

2026 APBA Offshore National Series Calendar

Additional venues remain under review with announcements expected as confirmations are completed. APBA also indicated plans to restore divisional racing programmes.

Community Partnerships Central to 2026 Series

Ryan Beckley, APBA offshore chair, emphasised the organisation’s volunteer foundation and community focus in his first public statement since assuming the role.

I have grown up around it since I was 7 years old. Moving forward with partnerships with RWO and other sites and clubs allows APBA to build on its long history in all forms of boat racing. We hope to add another site or two, to the National Series, as well as bringing back divisional racing, sooner than later.

The series maintains established relationships with event organisers including Ralph Young’s Englewood Beach Waterfest team and Thunder on Cocoa Beach leadership.

Dana Potts, APBA director, highlighted the organisation’s dependence on community engagement.

APBA sanctions over 120 races per year, and we’re a volunteer-run organisation at our core. It takes strong community partners to bring these events to life. Folks like Larry Bleil, Ray LaBadie, and Jack Arnett show up every day to champion their communities and produce some of the best races on the offshore circuit.

Ongoing Unification Challenges

Beckley acknowledged that complete unification across all American offshore powerboat racing organisations remains incomplete despite APBA and Race World Offshore’s alignment.

We had hoped to work with the other groups and have solid unification now, but that wasn’t in the cards, yet.

The International Hot Rod Association’s acquisition of Powerboat P1 USA in October created an additional competitive structure for 2026, with IHRA announcing plans for its own offshore championship series backed by substantial financial commitments.

APBA’s 2026 calendar competes directly with IHRA’s planned schedule, though specific IHRA dates have not been publicly confirmed. The parallel series structure means teams and organisers face decisions about sanctioning alignment and championship participation.

Media Development Plans

Potts indicated APBA plans broadcast and digital initiatives for the 2026 season without providing specifics.

We have a lot of exciting developments coming on the media front that will showcase the sport like never before.

The statement suggests APBA intends to compete with IHRA’s stated broadcast ambitions, though neither organisation has released detailed media partnership announcements.

About the American Power Boat Association

Founded in 1903, APBA serves as the national governing body for powerboat racing in the United States with recognition from the Union Internationale Motonautique. The organisation sanctions more than 120 races annually across offshore, inboard, outboard, hydroplane, electric and speciality divisions through a volunteer-driven structure supporting clubs and communities nationwide.