After taking part in various ICE BLOCK (Long distance boat races on the Vaal river in mid winter) and other races held in recent years , there was a need for people racing in pleasure boats to form a racing association for safe and legal racing at this and other venues. The Zodiac Inflatable Boat Club started the Pleasure Boat Club that was eventually associated with PSA (Powerboat South Africa) and is now known as the South African Pleasure Boat Association (SAPBA).
The first official race was held on 20 October 2007 at Sunset View Family Resort at Bon Accord Dam where a total of 13 boats entered for racing. Subsequent races were held at various dams including Witbank, Bon Accord, Klerksdorp, Rynfield dams and also the Vaal river. The Association has shown tremendous growth in the last three years and we have been awarded the Reg Geyer Memorial Trophy for the BEST CLASS ASSOCIATION by PSA (Powerboat South Africa) for the 2008/2009 and the 2009/2010 season.

Regrettably, personal interest and agendas by certain individuals has once again taken its toll and as at the beginning of December 2010, the membership of the SAPBA has been affected and we had to revise our format of racing to adapt to the current situation. This has proved to be very effective .We have implemented Handicap racing for all the different classes. This format of racing enables boats of varying performance potentials to compete on an equal basis.

VENUES AND RACE PROGRAMMES

Races are normally run in three heats of approximately 25-30 kilometers per heat (8-9 laps).
Race points from the three heats are calculated to determine final race positions.
Long haul races at the Witbank dam, Vaal river (Ice Block) are run over a distance of 100-130 km in a single race.
Most of the venues we are currently racing at are inland local venues to save costs on traveling and accommodation. Until SPONSORS can provide funds for racing at the Coastal and Inland venues, SAPBA will race at local venues to promote Hard bottom Racing and attract new members from the local communities.
We are presently racing with the Junior Powerboat Racing Association (JPRA), the South African Inflatable Boat Association (SAIBA) and occasionally the South African Jet Sport Boat Association (SAJSBA) affiliated to POWERBOAT SOUTH AFRICA (PSA), which is presently the ONLY recognized authority for powerboat racing in South Africa. We are also affiliated to the UIM (UNION INTERNATIONALE MOTONAUTIQUE)

We disassociate ourselves from PBRSA, a rogue association which are not recognized by any authority at present and are causing mayor disruptions in the Powerboat racing community in South Africa.

TEAM & EQUIPMENT

A team consists of a driver and a co-driver and any pleasure boat hull, which INCLUDES
V-bottoms, tunnel hulls, bass boats or a normal bow rider hull, powered by either a outboard motor or V8 inboard motor.

OUTBOARD Race Classes accommodate the different boats racing and ensures fair and competitive racing. The different classes will be identified by the letter H which will refer to Hardbottom.
U Twin Outboards and V8 INBOARDS(Turbocharged or supercharged)
H1 Modified Outboards (250+ KILOWATT)
H2 225HP Standard (168 KILOWATT)
H3 200HP Standard (149 KILOWATT)
H4 150-175HP Standard Outboards
H5 140HP Standard Outboards

Boats are checked and scrutineered according to PSA Rules and Regulations.
Drivers and Co-Drivers race according to SAPBA Rules and Regulations

DEVELOPMENT SERIES - Very soon now we will see the introduction of the Development series, which will provide the opportunity for persons from all communities, irrespective of race, color, creed, sex, age or disability to participate in the sport of powerboat racing and to assist such persons so that they can empower themselves to participate in such a sport.