ThunderCats Join IHRA Offshore at Cocoa Beach 2026

Outboard-powered inflatable catamaran raceboats will join the programme at Thunder on Cocoa Beach for the first time when Round 3 of the inaugural IHRA Offshore National Championship Series runs from May 14 to 17 in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

The ThunderCat fleet will be on the water on Saturday morning, which serves as a testing, practice and qualifying day for select classes, and again on Sunday morning.

Leah Martin, president of the IHRA, explained the decision to bring the class to Cocoa Beach to Speed on the Water.

Martin said:

“The addition of Thundercat racing is another step in building a complete and unified platform for powerboating under IHRA. This class brings intensity, accessibility, and true affordability, and most importantly they’re fun. This creates a clear entry point for new competitors while still delivering high-level competition. We’re building the future of the sport, for fans and racers. I’m excited to see them run in Cocoa Beach.”

What Is a ThunderCat?

ThunderCats are inflatable catamarans built specifically for racing, classified by the UIM under the P750 designation. Each hull is approximately four metres in length and weighs around 90kg without engine or fuel. Outboard motors in the 40 to 90 horsepower range power them, and a two-person crew operates each boat: the driver controls throttle and steering from the rear, while the co-driver shifts weight to trim the hull and sharpen handling through turns. In race conditions they can reach speeds of more than 60mph.

Six independently inflated chambers make up each hull. If one is punctured, the remaining five keep the boat afloat, which contributes to a strong safety record across a sport that often runs in surf conditions.

South African Roots

ThunderCat racing traces its origins to South Africa, where crews were racing inflatable boats along the coast and down rivers in the early 1980s. Dedicated hull designs followed as the sport formalised, and South African manufacturers have dominated the global market since: Aquarius Inflatables, Gemini Marine and Mako are among the builders whose hulls appear at competitive events worldwide.

The sport grew quickly beyond South Africa, taking hold in the UK, Australia and New Zealand in particular. In March 2017, Cape Town hosted the UIM P750 World Championship, drawing more than 130 competitors and 65 teams, including several British entries.

A Strong British Circuit

The UK established one of the most active ThunderCat circuits outside South Africa. Championship rounds have taken place at coastal venues including Newquay, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Liverpool, with fleets regularly exceeding 20 boats.

PBN commercial partner Multispark Racing has supported ThunderCat racing in the UK since 2015, competing at national championship level and finishing among the leading teams during the Microlink-era series. The photographs on this page were taken in Cornwall by sports photographer Mike Powell and include Multispark Racing’s M11 in full surf-race action.

Multispark Racing Equipment for ThunderCat Competitors

Multispark Racing stocks specialist equipment for ThunderCat competitors through the PBN shop. The Grabner Powerboat Racing Jacket (£290) is a professional-grade buoyancy aid built for circuit powerboat and ThunderCat racing in high-speed surf conditions. The Thundercat Racing Tohatsu M50D2 Engine Lifter (£235) is a purpose-built paddock tool for the outboard motor most commonly used in competitive ThunderCat racing.

Team Reckless Abandonment

Among those entering at Cocoa Beach is Ryan Stevens, who will compete under the Team Reckless Abandonment banner with co-driver Lamar Weldon. Stevens, who had watched ThunderCat racing in South Africa for years before finding a route into the class, said the Cocoa Beach appearance was a long-held ambition.

The entry came together through a partnership with Fred Durr of Aquarius Inflatable Thundercats USA, who provided a boat to support the team and help introduce new competitors to the class in North America. William Marr and the Fuel 1 Racing team are supplying transport assistance, fuel and on-water mentoring for the debut.

Stevens previously competed in the IHRA Professional Watercraft Series, a connection that opened the door to the ThunderCat entry at Cocoa Beach.