The IJSBA has taken the next step in its 2026 rulemaking process, releasing the Managing Director’s official recommendations for changes to the upcoming Competition Rule Book — and opening the door for two more weeks of community feedback before any action is taken.
This update follows the two-part process we recently covered at The Watercraft Journal, first when IJSBA solicited public input on potential rule changes, and again when that rule suggestion period was extended due to the volume and complexity of responses received. What initially appeared to be a relatively narrow discussion ultimately evolved into one of the more involved technical debates the organization has seen in years.
According to IJSBA, the bulk of the conversation centered on three areas: fuel regulation in Stock and economy-focused classes, propulsion parity in Sport Spec, and compression limits in Ski Lites — all framed by a broader concern about cost control, fairness, and enforceability across different venues and conditions.
On fuel regulation, the Managing Director acknowledged a clear majority of racers favor prohibiting expensive and exotic fuels in Stock and economy classes. However, concerns over enforcement, lack of consensus on testing parameters, and promoter readiness led to a recommendation to delay fuel regulation until 2027, using 2026 to develop clear standards while simultaneously reducing the demand for those fuels through other rule adjustments.
For Sport Spec, the recommendations take a targeted and conditional approach. To address parity concerns — particularly those raised around World Finals conditions — IJSBA is recommending limited allowance of a specific aftermarket jet pump for Wave Blasters, restricted to the 2026 SBT World Finals unless promoters explicitly declare qualifying conditions in advance. The proposal also signals a broader shift toward venue-based rule considerations, factoring in elements like elevation, track size, and water conditions rather than blanket class-wide changes.
In Ski Lites, the Managing Director is recommending compression limits at the 2026 World Finals as an immediate step to curb reliance on high-cost fuels, with further restrictions — including minimum base gasket thickness — proposed for implementation beginning in 2027. IJSBA also plans to develop elevation-based compression guidelines moving forward.
With no Stock class changes on the table and only community-driven classes affected, IJSBA has opted to pause for additional feedback. The organization will accept public comments on these recommendations through January 13, 2026, before forwarding all input to the Board of Directors for final consideration.
