No marathon in 2026 as the sport gears up for back-to-back World Championship campaigns in 2027 and 2028.
The New Zealand Jet Boat River Racing Association has confirmed the 2026 season will run without a marathon event. The Association is directing its full focus toward a season-long National Championship points competition, a decision shaped by New Zealand's upcoming hosting commitments for the UIM World Jet Boat Championships in both 2027 and 2028.
Those back-to-back World Championship years represent a substantial undertaking for organisers, volunteers, and competitors alike. Stepping away from a marathon format in 2026 gives the committee confidence the sport will arrive at that two-year international window in peak condition. World Marathon planning is already well underway, with further details due soon.
*2026 NZJB River Racing Calendar*
The 2026 season schedule has been confirmed, with full event details to follow closer to each race date:
- 21st & 22nd March – Otago Race - 30th & 31st May – Canterbury Race - 26th & 27th September – Southland Race - 18th to 21st November – Across NZ Race
The recent history of the UIM World Championships shows the scale of what New Zealand is preparing to host. The most recent edition took place in June 2025 in Canada, with racing spread across rivers in Alberta and British Columbia, including the Peace, Smoky, Wapiti, and Pine. Before that, the event visited the USA in 2024, New Zealand in 2023, the USA again in 2022, and Canada in 2019. Hosting duties rotate across New Zealand, the USA, Canada, and Mexico, keeping the sport's international calendar moving at a steady pace.
Kiwi crews were standouts at the 2025 edition, continuing the country's strong presence on the world stage.
With the National Championship structure confirmed for 2026, competitors can expect a calendar that rewards consistency as much as outright speed across sprint and river events. The Association is anticipating strong fields and closely fought battles throughout the season, with each round building toward what shapes up as a landmark period for the sport in New Zealand.
