The next generation of personal watercraft racers will get the water first as the 2026 SBT IJSBA World Finals gets underway in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
IJSBA’s Young Guns Development Program is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, at Red Rock Waterside, giving riders ages 8 to 17 a day devoted to instruction, practice and an introduction to racing before World Finals competition begins later in the week.
The program includes slalom and closed-course coaching, practice starts and individual instruction from experienced racers, along with interviews and livestream coverage. Participants will also receive prizes before wrapping up the day with a pool party at Kokomo’s.
This year, IJSBA is adding another opportunity for newcomers.
First-time youth participants will be able to take part in Ski and Runabout Lap Challenges after obtaining IJSBA membership and completing the required briefing and screening. The challenges consist of two timed laps with one rider at a time on the course, providing an introduction to competition without putting inexperienced riders into a full race field.
Young Guns carries on a youth-development effort that stretches back to the Junior Stars program, which began more than 15 years ago. The Watercraft Journal will take a deeper look at that history next Sunday, including the people who built the program and the young racers who came through it.
And that means we need your help.
Were you a Junior Star or a Young Gun? Did you coach or mentor the kids? Were you one of the people sticking a microphone in front of a nervous young racer and giving them their first interview? Do you have photographs, stories or memories from the program? I’d love to include them.
WCJ is also collecting memories and photographs of the late Nedra Atwood — one of the guiding forces behind the original Junior Stars program and one of the sport’s most beloved supporters — as the sixth anniversary of her passing approaches.
We’re looking not only for the history that made it into the official record, but for the stories remembered by the people who knew her, worked alongside her and watched her support generations of racers.
Shoot me a message or an email, and let’s talk.
Jessica Waters
[email protected]
facebook.com/SouthernShutterbug/
World Finals approaching
The 45th annual SBT IJSBA World Finals runs Oct. 3-11 in Lake Havasu City, with competition scheduled to begin Oct. 6 and continue through Oct. 11.
As racers begin arriving, IJSBA has also issued a reminder that competitors represent the sport away from the race course.
The organization said it received calls from Lake Havasu City residents concerned about driving practices and asked participants to drive safely and make a positive impression on the community.
The request comes as IJSBA says both Pro Watercross and the World Finals faced several cost increases this year and have been told costs will rise again next year. The organization said it expects to seek substantially more support money for 2027 and asked racers to help protect the sport’s relationship with its longtime host community by being good ambassadors.
And, of course, to drive safely for their own sake.
The Watercraft Journal will have more from Lake Havasu City as the 2026 World Finals gets underway.
Photo Credits: Ken Gallagher
See the full press releases below:
2026 SBT World FInals Young Guns Development Program Begins October 4 At Red Rock Waterside
For the first time ever, there is an on the track experience for first time youth. The Ski and Runabout Lap Challenges are available to youth aged participants who join IJSBA and go through a briefing and screening process. The Lap Challenge is a two lap timed competition experience where the rider is the sole participant on the track. Kids signed up for this may participate in the entire Young Guns development program.
The IJSBA World Finals for 2026 will kick off on Sunday October 4, 2026, with our annual tribute to the youth racing development, with Young Guns IJSBA World Finals Training Day. We are poised and positioned for another awesome training day on the water and excited to announce the proposed scheduled agenda for this unique youth PWC racing opportunity at the 2026 World Finals. This training and coaching day is presented to the youth racers by the IJSBA and is designed to promote youth watercraft racing and serve as formal warm up to the IJSBA World Finals courses. This day will be packed with ‘on the track’ practice events, Prizes, Guest Appearances, Celebrity Coaches and strategic preparation for the 2026 IJSBA SBT World Finals which is also the second tour stop of the WGP1 World Finals. This all takes place at Red Rock Waterside on beautiful Lake Havasu and is made possible by assistance from Go Lake Havasu.
Please register for the event @iraceready.com for the 2026 IJSBA World Finals Young Guns Sunday.
App.iraceready.com
Ages 8-17 All Classes Welcome- Regardless of your proficiency (Novice- Am – Pro) this is about celebrating, recognizing and training the Age group for World Finals. We look forward to seeing all the Youth racers ages 8-17 that are competing in IJSBA World Finals.
Ski Lites, Ski Stock, Ski 4 Stroke Lites, Ski GP, Ski Mod 1100, Vintage Ski, X2, Sport Spec, Runabout 1100/Rec Lites, Lap Challenge
Sunday October 4
Check in for Registration starts @5:30am– Crazy Horse Campground Entrance
Access only granted to Pits, Tech, and Training Sites with all credentials verified
6:00am- Pre Tech-Inspection Opens in Pits for all Youth Racers clearing Registration
Rich Boell, Head tech inspector for IJSBA, will be on site doing tech.
7:45am- DJ Kid Crowe Kicks it off! Music to get the World Finals party started
LIVESTREAM STARTS with Charles Guinchard
Action Photography with Ronny MacHenry, Ken Gallager, Adrian Fisk, and Pro Rider Magazine on the Scene
INTERVIEWS begin with World Famous Announcers and Promoters on the shoreline
Interviews will be going on throughout the day and it is our goal to have an on camera/ livestream interview with every racer
8:00am- World Finals Starting Line Bleachers
Riders Meeting- World Finals Racers Meeting
SPECIAL YOUNG GUNS WORLD FINALS TROPHIES FOR THE TOP RUNS IN SLALOM
9:00-10:30 am- Racers Break Out Sessions
Ages 10-13 Slalom Course Training
Instructions by Top Pro World Champions
Multiple Runs, Strategy and Clocked Run Times for every racer
Ages 14-17 Closed Course Training
Course Marshal led instruction and track parade
Multiples of Race Starts!! Using the Light and Horn
Group Practice on the World Finals course
Individual Coaching and Training by THE Top Pros
10:30- 11:00- Switch of Racer Break out Sessions
Water, Gatorade and Snack Break- Provided on the Beach
11:00- 12:30
Ages 14- 17 Slalom Course Training and Coaching
Ages 10-13 Closed Course Training and Coaching
1:00 IJBSA World Finals Starting Line Bleachers
Sponsor Appreciation Recognition
PRIZES for the Young Guns World Finals Racers
3:00-6:00pm- KOKOMOS POOL PARTY
Hot wheels Racing- 1st , 2nd and 3rd place awards
Pool Games and Prizes
Pizza and Beverages provided for all families, racers and siblings
Trophies for the Top Slalom Runs
