Chris Loney has resigned as Chairman of the Circuit Powerboat Association, the organisation confirmed on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The CPA board said Loney stepped down on Monday, May 11, bringing to an end an eight-year tenure that began with the formation of the organisation itself.
The resignation closes a chapter that started with one of the most disruptive periods in British powerboat racing history. When the Royal Yachting Association relinquished its role as the national authority for powerboat racing at the end of 2018, the sport was left to rebuild its governance structure from scratch. Two bodies emerged from that upheaval: the British Power Boat Association, which took over from the RYA as the UIM-recognised national governing body as of January 2019, and the CPA, which became the recognised authority for circuit racing under the BPBA umbrella.
UKOPRA, which was founded in 2017 to oversee offshore racing in Britain, has continued to attract a healthy field of boats under its own sanction, away from the UIM.
Loney was named as Chair of the BPBA Board of Directors from the outset and moved into the CPA chairmanship as the circuit body took shape. He has held the role throughout the organisation’s existence.
In its statement, the CPA board placed on record its thanks for Loney’s contribution.
Circuit Powerboat Association Board:
Chris has devoted a significant amount of personal time and effort to supporting and developing the sport, and his contribution over the past eight years is greatly appreciated.
Vice Chairman Peter Mantripp will step up as Interim Chairman while the board considers the future structure and direction of the organisation. The board has said nominations and expressions of interest for the permanent chairmanship will be considered in due course.
A Sport Under Pressure
The timing of Loney’s departure reflects the pressures currently bearing down on the sport. The CPA board acknowledged two specific challenges in its statement: reduced racing activity at SWSC and the ongoing situation at Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club.
At Stewartby, SWSC has been dealing with a 50 per cent reduction in its allocated water time. The club was forced to withdraw from hosting CPA national and sprint championship rounds it had committed to, redesigning its competitive calendar entirely around a self-run British Masters Championship.
The situation at LOBMBC carries far greater weight. Oulton Broad has been unable to confirm a 2026 race season following the death of Brett Duncan on July 24, 2025. Duncan, 51, from Ipswich, died when his hydroplane struck a stationary houseboat moored near North Bay during the ninth round of the LOBMBC club championships. The 2025 season at Oulton Broad was formally ended in September, and the club has been working with regulatory authorities ever since.
The CPA board noted in its statement that LOBMBC continues to work closely with the relevant authorities, and that ongoing discussions make it inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
A Volunteer Organisation
The CPA is run entirely by volunteers. The board used the occasion of Loney’s departure to acknowledge that structure and to invite new involvement.
Circuit Powerboat Association Board:
The CPA continues to operate entirely through the dedication of volunteers who give their time to support the sport and its competitors. The Board remains grateful to everyone who contributes to the continued running and development of circuit powerboat racing, and welcomes anyone interested in becoming involved in supporting the future of the sport.
The organisation describes itself as member-led, comprising both a Board of Directors and club representatives. The statement reaffirmed a commitment to working collaboratively with clubs and competitors throughout the transition.
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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.
