Yesterday, just hours before the New Year kicked off, the IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series officially announced Great Lakes Watercross (GLWC) as its first sanctioned regional partner, a move that signals how the organization plans to rebuild and connect personal watercraft racing across the country.
The partnership brings together the newly formed Pro Watercraft Racing Series (PWRS) and one of the most established regional promoters in the sport, creating a direct bridge between regional racing and national-level competition under the IHRA Pro Watercraft umbrella.
PWRS Managing Director Dustin Farthing said conversations with Jaymi and Brad Bohat, who operate Great Lakes Watercross, quickly revealed a shared vision focused on sustainability, racer experience, and long-term growth — not just expansion for expansion’s sake.
Great Lakes Watercross enters the partnership with serious momentum of its own. Just before Christmas, the series released its 2026 race schedule, outlining a 10-round season built around double-header weekends, a mix of flat water and big water venues, and increased cash payouts planned for the coming year.
The 2026 schedule opens on flat water in Indiana before moving into larger Great Lakes conditions, setting up a season that rewards versatility and consistency. The final three tour stops shift fully into big water racing, with a championship weekend slated for late August in Wisconsin.
In addition to its core Midwest schedule, Great Lakes Watercross will also host a standalone Labor Day weekend event in Williamsburg, Virginia, expanding its geographic reach while keeping series points focused on the main tour.
With the IHRA partnership now official, Great Lakes Watercross becomes a key piece of the Pro Watercraft Racing Series’ long-term plan — serving as a model regional pipeline for racers looking to advance toward national and world championship competition.
More regional and international partnership announcements are expected in the months ahead, but for now, the alignment between PWRS and Great Lakes Watercross offers one of the clearest looks yet at how the 2026 racing landscape is coming together.
Below is the full press release from the IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series, and the full season schedule announcement from Great Lakes Watercross.
Pro Watercraft Racing Series Welcomes Great Lakes Watercross as First Official Regional Partner
The IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series is proud to officially welcome Great Lakes Watercross as its first sanctioned regional series under the IHRA Pro Watercraft umbrella. This partnership marks a major milestone in IHRA’s mission to rebuild, align, and grow personal watercraft racing across the United States, creating a true pipeline from regional competition to the national and world championship level.
“We’re extremely excited to partner with one of the largest and most respected regional promoters in the United States,” said Dustin Farthing of IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing. “The Bohat’s and I had a long discussion about the goals of racing, and it was immediately clear we share the same commitment, building strong, sustainable series that put racers first. This partnership is exactly what the future of our sport should look like.”
Great Lakes Watercross has long been a cornerstone of regional watercraft racing, known for strong turnout, professional event execution, and a racer-focused mindset. Aligning with IHRA allows both organizations to strengthen opportunities for racers, sponsors, and host cities while creating a unified pathway to national and international competition.
“Partnering with IHRA was a natural step for us,” said the Bohat family of Great Lakes Watercross. “We believe in the vision IHRA & Farthing are building and the direction the Pro Watercraft Series is heading. Our goals have always been about growing the sport, supporting racers, and delivering quality events, and this partnership allows us to do that at an even higher level.”
As the first official IHRA regional series, Great Lakes Watercross will play a key role in funneling racers, momentum, and growth into the IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series, setting the tone for future regional partnerships nationwide.
More announcements regarding additional regional & international affiliates, schedules, and more series details will be released soon. Happy New Year, this is the future of watercraft racing and it starts with 2026 just around the corner.
THE 2026 GREAT LAKES WATERCROSS SCHEDULE IS HERE!
The wait is finally over. We are incredibly excited to officially announce the 2026 race season! This year is going to be epic: 10 rounds of racing total, with 2 rounds of action every single weekend.
We are starting the season on the flat water of Indiana and turning up the heat as we head toward the big water of the Great Lakes for the final three tour stops. We are also bringing back even more cash payouts this year! Details on the payout structure and specific classes will be released early this spring once sponsor agreements are complete!
Grab your calendars and start planning. Here is where we are heading in 2026:
JUNE 12-14: Kendallville, Indiana – We return to Bixler Lake Campground to kick off the season. This is the perfect spot to find your speed on flat water. Camping: Reserve through the City of Kendallville at (260) 242-6898.
JUNE 26-28: Janesville, Wisconsin – We’ll be racing on the Rock River at Traxler Park. We are proud to partner with the Rock Aqua Jays for this event, as they host a national water ski show the same weekend!
JULY 17-19: Harbor Beach, Michigan – The third annual Harbor Beach Cup! The big water season officially begins here. Camping/Pits: Reservations are open now through the city at https://www.harborbeach.com/watercross-racers
JULY 31 – AUGUST 2: Racine, Wisconsin – We are back on the beautiful shores of North Beach for a high-stakes Double Points weekend. You won’t want to miss the points chase & big waves here!
AUGUST 21-23: Manitowoc, Wisconsin (Championship Weekend) – The series finale at Red Arrow Park! This is where we crown our 2026 season champions!
LABOR DAY WEEKEND: Williamsburg, Virginia The Battle at Williamsburg at Jamestown Beach – This is going to be a huge family-fun weekend just a few miles from Busch Gardens. Expect massive crowds and a great holiday atmosphere to wrap up the year. This event will be a stand alone event and not part of the 2026 GLW Series points.
2026 is going to be our best year yet!
