Racers, mark your calendars: the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) announced yesterday that the period for submitting rule change suggestions for the 2026 competition season will kick off November 24. This annual ritual might feel routine for some, but this year brings a notable twist that could make your voice more impactful than ever.
For starters, IJSBA is introducing a new vice chair of rules oversight. This role is designed to encourage broader participation in the rule-making and governance process. While details about the appointment are still under wraps, the move signals a shift in how the organization hopes to balance input across different regions.
That regional balance is key. According to IJSBA’s recent notice, the PWC and powersports markets in the U.S. and Europe are contracting, which has naturally influenced rule change suggestions from those areas. Comments from these regions often emphasize aggressive cost controls, reflecting the economic pressure racers and teams are feeling. Meanwhile, the powersports scene in much of Asia appears less affected by the current economic environment. In fact, Asian markets are seeing more frequent “higher cost builds,” which means rules that accommodate those realities are increasingly part of the conversation.
IJSBA is aiming to bring more of that perspective into the decision-making process, hoping the new vice chair and input from Asian organizations will help achieve a broader balance of policy guidance. For racers and teams, that means the 2026 suggestion period could carry more weight than previous years, especially for ideas that emphasize realistic improvements to competition classes.
Already, some anticipated topics are emerging. Fuel tests, fuel restrictions, and cost-scaling measures are expected to be among the most suggested changes, particularly in Ski Lites and certain Stock-based classes. Racers are encouraged to discuss these issues with their peers, think critically about potential rule tweaks, and prepare thoughtful suggestions for submission once the process officially opens next week.
A few reminders from IJSBA: don’t submit rule change ideas before November 24, and direct any questions or comments about the notice to [email protected].
So whether you’re a seasoned pro, a grassroots racer, or simply following the scene, the start of the 2026 rule suggestion window marks your chance to shape the season ahead. With the addition of the vice chair role and a stronger international voice, this year’s process could bring some fresh perspectives—and maybe even a few surprises—to the Competition Rule Book.
You can read the full notice from IJSBA below:
IJSBA is alerting the Personal Watercraft Racing Community that the period to suggest rule changes for the 2026 competition season will open on November 24. New this year will be the appointment of a vice chair of rules oversight. This appointment is part of IJSBA’s effort to encourage more participation in the sanctioning and governing process. This is particularly important at this moment due to powersports facing a contraction in the United States and Europe while the consumer market for powersports in most Asian regions seems less affected by current economic conditions. Many comments regarding potential policy changes, when originating from the USA of Europe, are seeming to lean towards aggressive cost controls. By contrast, in Asian markets, higher costs builds are more frequent and have not seen the stagnation present in the Western regions. As such, IJSBA hopes to achieve a balance of policy guidance by having more rule decision making come from Asian organizations. This appointment will be announced shortly.
In the meantime, please begin peer discussions and preparations to present suggestions for changes to the online Competition Rule Book with an emphasis on a real outcome for improvement. IJSBA is already aware that fuel tests, fuel restrictions, and scaling back costs are expected suggestions in Ski Lites and some Stock based classes. If you have questions or comments regarding this notice, please email [email protected]. Please do not send rule change suggestions until the process begins next week.
