If you felt as if you’re were drowning in thicker-than-usual alphabet soup during 2026 domestic offshore racing season, you had cause. This year’s ingredients included the American Power Boat Association, Blue Water Offshore Racing, International Hot Rod Association, Offshore Powerboat Association and Race World Offshore—or ABPA, BWORA, IHRA, OPA and RWO for short.
Englewood Beach Waterfest is on tap this weekend. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
One word? Ugh. No matter which umbrella you were under this season, the confusion it created among fans and even the racers themselves was undeniably mind-numbing. At least with a straight face, it’s tough to argue otherwise.
So it is particularly merciful that this weekend’s Englewood Beach Waterfest event in Southwest Florida doesn’t go by its initials. Yes, it is the final competition in the 2026 APBA National Championship Series. But those initials are necessary for sanctioning-body clarification.
Englewood Beach Waterfest is just Englewood Beach Waterfest, a locally organized affair in a quiet beach town that will come alive this weekend.
So far, 30 teams are registered for the Englewood happening, which has included prize money throughout its 14-year history. And it will again this year with a $50,000 purse.
Worth noting? Prize money has been something of a defining through-line this season. That little old Englewood Beach has it is commendable—and a touch poetic.
Englewood Beach Waterfest board of directors president Ray LaBadie, who works closely with dedicated 10 board members and a slew of volunteers, expects 50-plus teams to be signed up ready to race before the first race begins Saturday morning.
Here’s a quick look at this weekend’s competition schedule:*
Saturday
• 10 a.m. -10:45 a.m.—Bracket 400, 500, 600 and Cat 300.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.—Bracket 700, Class 300, and V Limited.
• 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m.—Bracket 200, Factory Stock/Class 2 and Super Cat.
• 1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m.—Class 1 (qualifying).
• 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.—Super Stock (qualifying).
Sunday
• 10 a.m. -10:45 a.m.—Bracket 400, 500, 600 and Cat 300.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.—Bracket 700, Class 300, Mod V and V Limited.
• 12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m.—Bracket 200, Factory Stock/Class 2 and Super Cat.
• 1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m.—Class 1 (qualifying).
• 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m.—Class 1, Extreme.
• 4 p.m.-4:45 p.m.—Super Stock.
*Offshore racing schedules are subject to last-minute changes. Check the Englewood Beach Waterfest website and Facebook page throughout the weekend.
Action from both days will be carried live on the Englewood Beach Waterfest YouTube channel. Veteran broadcast Mike Yowaiski and this reporter will the action.
For the record, neither of us goes by initials.