Namibia Powerboat Association president Quinton Liebenberg says the revived sport is steadily rebuilding its presence in the country as interest and local support continue to grow.

Liebenberg made the remarks at the Lake Oanob Powerboat Grand Prix on 31 October 2026, where competitors took to the water for the association's penultimate event of the year.

Powerboat racing in Namibia has undergone a significant revival after years of limited activity, with the Namibia Powerboat Association established this year to rebuild organized competition and attract new participants.

Nine boats competed at Lake Oanob, contributing to the country's growing national fleet of 16 boats. With several additional crafts currently under construction, the association expects the total fleet to reach 21 boats in the near future, marking a key milestone in the sport's resurgence.

Liebenberg targeted expanding the national fleet to approximately 30 boats within the next two years, noting that local enthusiasm and community support have been instrumental to the sport's rapid growth over the past year. "This time last year, there were no boats. Now we're close to 21 boats. Our goal, within the next year and a half to two years, is to get back to 30 boats in Namibia. And I must say, the locals are supporting us," Liebenberg said.

The Lake Oanob Grand Prix featured three circuit-racing heats alongside a demanding 100-kilometre long-haul challenge. Competitors emphasized that success on the water relies on technical precision, high-speed coordination, and effective teamwork.

Pilot Emil Dorgeloh, who led the field during the later races, highlighted the critical role of the co-pilot in maintaining race pace and positioning. "It's a very precision sport. You cannot make small mistakes. The co-pilot is vital. If he doesn't do his job, you will go from first to last. So it's a team sport," Dorgeloh said.

Co-pilot Callie Geel, competing in the event's sole ATC boat, outlined the physical demands of weight distribution and onboard balancing required to maximize propeller efficiency during high-speed maneuvers. "The co-pilot is usually in front. He's the one doing all the balancing, moving forward, moving backwards. Underneath we have a prop, which is where all the magic happens," Geel explained.

The sport's revival has also attracted younger participants and newcomers. Thirteen-year-old rubber duck racer Katarienka Terblanche expressed hope that her participation would inspire more young girls to enter the sport. "I hope I inspired people to come and do rubber duck racing. Young girls like me should also try, because it's actually very fun and it's not as scary as people think. If you get confidence in yourself, it can be very fun for you," Terblanche said.

Newcomer Paulina van Ellewee also joined the growing field this season after being introduced to the sport by her husband."My husband has been racing since he was young, and he introduced me to this sport this year. The first race wasn't easy because it was the sea. This is my second one, and I'm really enjoying it because I'm more comfortable on the dam than at the beach," Van Ellewee shared.

Looking to formalize its structure, the Namibia Powerboat Association has applied for official recognition from the Namibia Sports Commission and plans to affiliate with the international governing body, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM).

Liebenberg invited prospective corporate sponsors and the broader public to support the sport's growth.