Photos are kindly provided by Inders Marineland who are proud sponsors of the Gore Boat Club event. Brad Inder also competes in the series himself. Inders Marineland is a third-generation family-owned marine business founded in 1962 and now owned by Brad Inder.
What’s coming: Round 6 at Lake Tekapo
Set against the striking turquoise waters and snow-draped Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo is one of the most visually spectacular race sites in the NZBMC series. A regular fixture on the calendar, this event is hosted by the Milton Boat Club and brings together a wide range of classes—from 90hp F class boats to the 300hp A class rockets. Races at Tekapo typically include a 60km course for E and F classes, 80km for C and D classes, and a 100km test for the top-tier A and B divisions.
Racers compete in a rolling start format, creating dramatic head-to-head action across the lake’s vast expanse. The surrounding Tekapo township and iconic Church of the Good Shepherd provide a postcard-perfect backdrop, while the clear air of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve ensures Tekapo is just as captivating after the sun goes down.
Entries are now open for Lake Tekapo:
👉 Entry form here
Recent results recap: Twin Lakes delivers drama
Rounds 4 and 5 were contested at the Twin Lakes—Benmore and Aviemore—over the weekend of 31 May and 1 June. These races saw some familiar names consolidate their positions, while new contenders stepped up in key classes.
Benmore – 31 May
- Nominated Speed Race:
Martin Heanue continued his run of accuracy with Hard Target taking first.
Jordan Henderson in Conflict and Daniel Rule in Unruley1 rounded out the podium. - Marathon Race:
Fastest AT Division honours went to Secret Agent (Brett Archer).
In AV, Full Chat (Paul Brooks) took the win.
Dirty Addiction (Brad Inder) claimed B Division.
The Reverend (Sam Martin) came out on top in C Division.
In E, it was Stealthy (Lily Weir) again, continuing her dominance.
Aviemore – 1 June
- Nominated Speed Race:
Once again, Hard Target claimed first.
Jordan Lilley in On the Gas and Tim Fellows in Mans Ruin followed. - Marathon Race:
Mans Ruin took out AT Division.
Unruley1 continued to lead AV Division under Daniel Rule.
Enforcer (Jamie Chittock) took B Division.
Stealth (Lily Weir) made it two-for-two in E Division across the weekend.
Standout Performers
- Martin Heanue in Hard Target has now won four straight nominated speed races (Roxborough, Dunstan, Benmore, and Aviemore), confirming his title contention in the precision-based discipline.
- Jamie Chittock in Enforcer is becoming a frontrunner in Class B, securing back-to-back wins and consistently finishing near the front.
- Lily Weir, the reigning queen of the E and F divisions, continues to rack up class wins in Stealth/Stealthy, setting her up for what could be a third consecutive championship. Her calculated pace and consistency are unmatched in her division.
- Daniel Rule, 2024 A Class champ, is again making waves in AV Class. His Unruley1 boat has been the one to beat all season, maintaining high speeds and clean lines.
Looking Back: Roxborough and Lake Dunstan (Rounds 2 & 3)
Held in late April, Rounds 2 and 3 brought high participation and strong competition.
Lake Dunstan – 26 April
- Greg McEwan took the AT Division in The Apprentice
- Simon Morrison led AV again in Lords Rival
- Jamie Chittock got his first B Division win of the season
- Conflict (Jordan Henderson) and Twisted Treasure (Sean Archer) took top spots in C and D Divisions
- Shockwave, driven by Peter McLeary, won the G Division in both Dunstan and Roxborough
Roxborough – 27 April
- Graham Pike in LJ Hooker blazed the AT field
- Morrison (AV), Chittock (B), Martin (C), and Weir (E) all doubled down with repeat class wins
- Shockwave continued to impress in the open-age G Division
Eyes on Tekapo
Round 6 at Lake Tekapo is more than just a race—it’s an experience. The setting, the competition, and the prestige of racing in one of the most iconic boating venues in New Zealand make this a standout on the NZBMC calendar.
Spectators are encouraged to make the trip to see all-round inclusive powerboat racing in an extraordinary location. With several championship battles heating up—particularly in B, E, and AV classes—Tekapo could be the turning point for those chasing season titles.
For those thinking of entering, the NZBMC encourages all boaters to take part. Whether you’re racing a finely tuned catamaran or a humble tinny, there’s a class for every setup and a race for every kind of competitor. First-timers are welcome, and the community remains one of the most inclusive in grassroots motorsport.
Next up:
🗓 21 June 2025
📍 Lake Tekapo
📝 Register here
Stay tuned as we bring you full results and updates from Tekapo later this month. For now, the race is on—and the championship is wide open.
