The New Zealand Jet Boat Marathon starts today and goes through to Saturday.
The race begins on the Oreti River and then tomorrow will move to the Waiau River. On Friday, the Mataura River will have the mighty roar and rush of jetboats racing up and down.
Racing will wrap up on Saturday with another day of racing on the Oreti River.
There are more than 20 boats lining up in the race, with seven boats in the unlimited class. Southland’s Roger Preston will start out as a contender in the unlimited grade.
Preston won the world marathon championships, which were raced on South Island rivers last year.
Gore driver and marathon organiser Paul Cross said the event had a lot of competitors and a variety of boats.
"It’s going to be quite a spectacle."
The marathon jetboats were custom-made for both speed and endurance, and it was thrilling to watch, Mr Cross said.
"The lower class do about 80mph [128kmh], all the way through to the unlimited class.
"Some of them have helicopter engines in them, or jet turbines, and do up to 140mph [225kmh] on a river, with no brakes. It’s an adrenaline-rush sport."
Mr Cross said the event was free to watch. There were plenty of spots to watch along the Mataura River on Friday.
"Find a beach or a bank and have a watch."
