Alberton racers Mia and Cassey-Leigh Snyman prepare for Junior Powerboat Racing season

Alberton racers Mia Snyman (known as Mia Muis), aged 12, and her sister, Cassey-Leigh Snyman (18), are set to compete in the Junior Powerboat Racing series taking place across Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Mia is the reigning National GT10 Champion for the 2024–2025 season. Remarkably, this is only her second season of racing. Her boat is maintained by her father, Lourens, and has been fully sponsored for the past two years.

For the 2025/26 season, the Snyman racing team has expanded to include both sisters as pilots, each competing in a different class.

“Mia will move up to the GT15 class for the next four years. We have started building her a new boat from scratch, which involves hours of testing, rigging, and fibreglass work to pass scrutineering and meet UIM standards as closely as possible,” explained Lourens Snyman, father of the racers.

Cassey-Leigh made her debut in the final race of the 2025 season and will now compete in the F30 Open Class, which features modified 15Hp two-stroke motors. In her first races, she impressed by dominating the middle of the pack in both heats.

Her F30 boat, however, requires a complete rebuild and extensive water testing before it is race-ready. With the new season starting in September, the family is working under tight deadlines to prepare both boats.

Junior powerboat racing is a development category, with around 14 pilots across three classes. Many of these young drivers dream of one day progressing to Formula 1 boats, the pinnacle of the sport.

The Snyman sisters will begin their 2025/2026 season at Emerald Casino on 13–14 September. Their parents’ broader goal, alongside supporting their daughters, is to help grow participation in the sport and restore it to its former glory.

“As parents of junior pilots, we carry the costs of racing fees, travel, and accommodation, often competing in other provinces too,” said Lourens.

The estimated total cost for running both boats for the 2025/2026 season is approximately R250,000. To help cover this, the family is appealing for sponsorships and donations.

In return, sponsors will receive branding opportunities, including boat decals with corporate logos, banners at events, and more.

Support needed includes:

• Helmets, race suits, and safety gear for both pilots

• Licences and medical fees

• Entry fees per boat per race

• Annual club fees for practice sessions at Germiston Lake

• Building, rigging, and testing of boats

• Fuel, racing oil, and containers

• Engine maintenance and parts

• Trailer servicing and maintenance

• Props for the boats (imported, as not available locally)

• Accommodation, travel, and meals for race weekends

• Refreshments and hydration for pilots and crew

• Pit crew costs (shirts, boots, etc.)

• Assistance with vehicles capable of towing boats

Anyone interested in supporting these young athletes, whether through donations, sponsorships, or event partnerships, is encouraged to contact Lourens and Gerda Snyman for more information:

Email: lourens@fearcorp.co.za or call Lourens: 083 492 2427 or Gerda: 072 946 1184.