Thundercat racing: Ten crews chasing long haul race win

Top ranked Paslode boat will be a leading contender at this weekend's Thundercat racing.

The roar of thundercat boats will reverberate around Tauranga and Mount Maunganui this weekend.

The second running of the King of the Island long haul race takes place from 10am tomorrow and includes two laps around Matakana Island. Ten boats from all over the North Island will start from Sulphur Point, racing out of the harbour and north to the Bowentown entrance and back to Sulphur Point before doing it all again in a second, exciting lap. The total distance for the race is 110km.

On Sunday, from 11am, the hugely popular surfcross racing will take place off Tay Street beach.

Boats will be racing a 1km square circuit within metres of the beach, running in just 30cm of water. There are six heats and a final to be raced.

Rides for the public will be available after the final for just $10.

Standing up on the bank at Tay Street will be the best spot to watch from and with a 1.5-2m swell and offshore winds expected the action should be spectacular.

What is it?
Thundercat racing is a high adrenalin, high action sport with explosive wave jumping and tight competitive surf racing in a tunnel-hull inflatable boat. The crew consists of a driver steering the boat and a co-pilot who uses their weight to stabilise the craft and obtain optimum speed.