The 2026 Coniston Powerboat Record Week takes place on Coniston Water, Cumbria from Monday 2 to Friday 6 November. It is the 54th running of the event and the 20th on Coniston Water, the Lake District lake that defined powerboat speed record history through Donald Campbell’s legendary runs in the 1950s and 60s.
The event is recognised on the UIM international calendar, which means competitors from around the world are eligible to enter alongside British drivers. Organisation is by the Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club (WMBRC), under the rules of the British Power Boat Association (BPBA) and the Circuit Powerboat Association (CPA).
What Happens at Coniston Record Week?
Record Week is unlike any other powerboat event on the calendar. Competitors book their runs individually and take to a measured one-kilometre course on Coniston Water, attempting to set or break speed records in their class. There are no races, no head-to-head battles — just a boat, a driver, a kilometre of water, and the clock.
Timekeeping uses the highly accurate ‘Crocker’ system, with tracking telescopes positioned at each end of the measured kilometre. A record stands until beaten by at least 0.3%, which keeps standards meaningful and brings competitors back year after year.
Seven categories are eligible for record attempts in 2026: Circuit, Aquabike, Electric, Offshore, Pleasure Navigation, MotoSurf, and Outright Record qualifying vessels. UIM international classes are open for world and continental records; BPBA national classes cover additional categories including Unlimited Outboard and Inboard Immersed Propeller, Gas Turbine, Unlimited Water Jet, Unlimited Ladies Outright, Steam, Aquabike and Electric.
Coniston Water has deep history with this sport. Earlier this year the lake hosted the return of Bluebird K7 to the waters where Donald Campbell lost his life in 1967, a moment that drew worldwide attention back to this quiet corner of the Lake District.
Young Driver Sponsorship
The K7 Club is offering sponsorship of up to £500 for a British driver under the age of 25 competing in their first Coniston Record Week. The award, established as the George and Nina Sawyer legacy, covers one entry fee, record runs and homologation fees. Applications must reach the K7 Club committee by 1 September 2026. Submit your completed entry form and sponsorship request to the event organisers.
Event Timetable
| Session | Local time (GMT, UTC+0) | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 1 November (Pre-event) | ||
| Scrutineering opens | 15:00 | 15:00 |
| Mandatory Drivers Briefing (Ruskin Institute, Yewdale Road, Coniston) | 19:30 | 19:30 |
| Monday 2 – Thursday 5 November (Daily) | ||
| Record attempts begin | 08:00 | 08:00 |
| Lunch stand-down (approx.) | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Attempts resume (approx.) | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Thursday 5 November | ||
| K7 Club AGM and Dinner (members only) | Evening | – |
| Friday 6 November (No lunch stand-down) | ||
| Record attempts begin | 08:00 | 08:00 |
| Final attempt start deadline | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Prize Giving (Coniston Institute, Coniston Village) | 21:00 | 21:00 |
Venue and Practical Information
Coniston Water is in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria. The event is based at the Coniston Boating Centre on Lake Road, Coniston, LA21 8AN. The lakeside is publicly accessible and spectators are welcome to watch free of charge — November mornings on Coniston Water, with boats on a glassy lake against the fells, are worth the trip.
Event control is in a caravan overlooking the water, known as the OOD Van. Competitors are allocated parking on arrival by the pit marshal. No smoking in the pit or launching areas.
Fuel for CPA/BPBA National classes must be purchased from the BP Garage on Broughton Road, Coniston (LA21 8EN). No refuelling on the jetties.
The Bluebird Café on Lake Road (LA21 8AN) is open throughout Record Week from 8am, with indoor seating and a heated covered terrace for up to 100 people directly on the water’s edge.
Competitors needing accommodation should arrange a caravan site in advance. Coppermines Lakes Cottages (coppermines.co.uk) offers discounts for Record Week competitors. Pit space is not available for overnight use, with the exception of pit marshals.
Entry Information
Entry deadline: Friday 23 October 2026
Return completed entry forms with the correct fee to: Alison Whalley, 9 Brookhouse Gardens, Parkin Lane, Bradford BD10 0NH.
After 23 October: entries accepted in person at the Record Week Office at Coniston, up to 16:00 on Thursday 5 November (close of entries).
Entry fees:
Seniors: £250 in advance; £300 after 16:00 on Tuesday 3 November 2026
Under 16s: £200 in advance; £200 after 16:00 on Tuesday 3 November 2026
Additional runs: £10 per attempt, payable in advance
Payment by cheque payable to Coniston Record Attempts, or by BACS: NatWest, sort code 54-21-60, account 35954531. Foreign entrants may pay by Eurocheque or sterling cash. BACS payments must be evidenced to the Race Secretary before leaving the pits.
All competitors must attend scrutineering before signing on, and must hold the appropriate CPA, OCRDA, or National Authority licence for the class entered. For world record attempts, an international licence is required.
Event website: conistonpowerboatrecords.co.uk
Event contact: Alison Whalley, [email protected], +44 (0)7850 807039
Facebook: Coniston Power Boat Record Week
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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.
