Thundercat Racing at Watergate Bay – World Championships 2013
ThunderCat Racing is a growing sport worldwide, involving racing lightweight inflatable four metre catamarans at exhilarating speeds across the water. This 12 day event is made up of three disciplines: circuit, long haul and surf racing. The circuit and long haul racing will be held at Pentewan Sands on October 5, 6 and 8 before moving to Watergate Bay for 10 to 13 October for the Championship deciding final round of surf racing.
Billed as the biggest international Thundercat Racing World Championships to date, it promises to be an exciting few days as elite racers from 12 countries including UK, Canada, South Africa, Russia, Germany, Sweden and Norway will be competing in challenging conditions. In the surf racing competition at Watergate Bay it won’t be unusual to see the surf as high as 10 foot. It’s a chance to see some of the world’s very best teams compete in the deciding final round of surf racing with plenty of thrills and spills for spectators and competitors alike.
Each ThunderCat is crewed by a team of two: a pilot to steer, and a co-pilot who uses their weight to stabilise the boat and to help achieve the greatest possible speed around the M-shaped course. New for this year, a tracking system attached to the Thundercats will allow fans to follow their country’s progress throughout the competition from the Thundercat website.
With a 50 horse power engine and lightweight inflatable hull, ThunderCats can reach speeds of up to 65 mph with boats sometimes jumping up as high as 15 feet into the air. With all the races taking place just metres from the shore, spectators can easily enjoy the thrills beachside.
Thundercat race organiser and competitor James Tapp said: “We are delighted to be back in Cornwall for the World Championships. We have over 30 teams taking part including 10 from the UK so visitors are guaranteed an action-packed display. Thundercat Racing really is one of the most breathtaking sports to watch on the water.”
Cat-a-Tonic is the only team from the South West – Jacob Bellas and Andrew Cousins are both in their early twenties and from Newton Abbott, Devon. They’re a young team and this is their first World Championship, so why not go along and cheer them on?