Torrential rain, heavy swells and punishing winds could not deter Helderberg’s top inflatable powerboat crews as they battled extreme ocean conditions at round three of the National Inflatable Power Boat Championship in Jeffreys Bay on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August.

After arriving early to calm, picturesque conditions on Thursday 6 August, teams were met with a drastic weather shift by Saturday morning.

Towering surf and strong winds forced a two-hour safety delay before the surf racing heats could launch. Sunday delivered even harsher weather, with relentless driving rain and severe gusts from early morning as competitors lined up for the gruelling 90 km long-haul race through heavy swells.

Despite the punishing environment, local teams made an impressive impact in both the Stock and Modified divisions.

In the S11 Stock class, Yamaha-powered Mako, pilot Dylan Bamberger and co-pilot Carien Engelbrecht won first place in the surf racing and third place in 90 km long-haul, finishing third overall in the Stock Class national championship.

In the M11 Modified class, Yamaha-powered Mako, pilot Marc Gleed and co-pilot Abdul Benjamin finished in eighth place in the surf racing and third place in the 90 km long-haul.

In M32 Modified class, Yamaha-powered ATC, pilot Rico Meyer and co-pilot Wynand de Wet finished seventh in the surf racing and sixth in the 90 km long-haul.

In the S3 Stock class, Tohatsu-powered Legacy, pilot Nikki du Bois and co-pilot Ruan Louw finished seventh in the surf racing and 10th in the 90 km long-haul.

The impressive showing by Bamberger and Engelbrecht in the S11 craft capped off a thrilling weekend, securing a podium finish for the local contingent at one of the season’s most challenging venues.