Ballito’s Reghard and Dagmar Roets are a powerboating power couple, earning South African colours for their efforts last week.

The duo competed across seven days of high octane action in the UIM P750 World Inflatable Powerboat Championships, finishing fifth overall in the modified class.

Held in Gqeberha, the event drew international boaters from five countries who competed in three classes, namely stock, pro-stock and modified.

Before the competition got underway, one pair from each of the classes were selected to race on behalf of South Africa, earning national colours at the same time.

“The teams were selected on performance throughout the year,” said Reghard.

“We had done well in the Trans Agulhas and a few other local events so were grateful to be selected for the modified class.”

The modified class allows teams to do almost anything to make their boats go faster, including using literal jet fuel, as the Roets’ do!

“It’s normally the fastest and loudest class. Ballito residents might have seen (or heard) us go past in practice a few times over the years,” laughed Reghard.

“At full speed we reach about 100km/h, which might not sound like much but is very quick when you’re out on choppy water.”

The format of competition saw teams compete in a fresh water ‘circuit’ race and two events out at sea, namely ‘surf’ and ‘longhaul’.

The Roets team, sponsored by Atlas Copco, Platinum Wheels and Motul, started well by claiming a silver in the circuit before preparing to head out into the Nelson Mandela Bay.

“We were in a good position in the surf race, lying third in the final amid some choppy and windy conditions,” he said.

“Unfortunately we flipped the boat and lost a lot of time. We were able to right the boat pretty quickly, but it’s the drying of the engine that takes the time.”

They ultimately finished 7th in the surf, adding a 10th placed finish in the longhaul – typically their best category – after flipping the boat once again.

“It was tougher the further offshore we went and quite a lot of boats flipped over the course of the 120km race.”

“We would have liked to finish higher of course, but that’s what happens in competition. For now we’ll enjoy a bit of break and get back to it in a few months.”

You can find a full list of results on the Thundercat Worlds Facebook page.

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