THE leading exponents of Britain’s newest watersport will be in action in Kent later this month.

Rounds nine and 10 of the National Zapcat Championship will take place off Herne Bay on Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28.

A total of 64 boats is expected to compete with some competitors travelling over from Ireland. Zapcat racing has really taken off in Britain since being introduced three years ago.

It had originally been made popular in southern hemisphere countries such as South Africa, Australia and New Zeland. Competitors race in inflatable catamarans, powered by 50hp engines and at full tilt the boats are capable of speeds of 60mph.

Courses are short, but competitors race over several laps, often coming close to the shore.

The Herne Bay event is being co-ordinated by Matt Stickels, who saw the event on a satellite TV station 18 months ago and liked what he saw. He says organisers are hoping for a crowd of around 10,000 at Herne Bay and promises that spectators can expect some no-holds barred racing.

Stickels, who is Herne Bay’s foreshore development manager, explained: “The rougher the sea the better, both from a competitor’s and spectator’s point of view and if conditions are calm they will merely set a more challenging course.

Each day’s racing at Herne Bay will feature heats, semi-finals and finals, and carrying local hopes will be Whitstable’s Paul Cook and Graham Bentham. Competing as Team Storm the duo are in their first season of racing and are about halfway in the standings.

This year more than 60 boats have been registered. Scrutineering will be from 9am on both days, with practicing between 11 to 11.30am. Racing will be from 12.30pm to 4.30pm.