LAKE Macquarie is set to be a buzz with heart-thumping action this weekend when Australia's most powerful boats thunder across the water for two days of racing.
In what could be the Lake Macquarie's answer to Newcastle's Supercars weekend, round three of the the 2019 Offshore Superboat Championships will see super-sleek vessels reach speeds of up to 200km/h as they negotiate a 7km course around the lake.
The boat races will start from Marmong Point Marina and traverse a course that passes the west, east and north sides of the lake.
This year's races will see the return of crowd-favourite race teams, including Maritimo Australia, and Simrad SUV. Simrad SUV will be piloted for the first time by Lake Macquarie boating identity and Marmong Point Marina owner Les Binkin.
Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser, who took a ride in one the superboats on Thursday, said the annual event had become a staple of the city's events calendar.
"Community events like the Superboat Championships bring so much vibrancy to our city," Cr Fraser said.
Community events like the Superboat Championships bring so much vibrancy to our city.
Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser
"They activate our lake foreshore and bring our community and visitors together to celebrate what we love about Lake Mac."
The superboats will race at 1.20pm on Saturday and at 11am and 1pm on Sunday.
The action will continue throughout the weekend with junior boat categories racing the course on both days. There will also be jet-ski racing between 10am and 3pm on both days from Lions Park at Eleebana.
Off the water, there will be a range of activities. At Warners Bay, spectators can enjoy markets and pop-up licensed bars, open from 10am to 3pm both days. A vintage car display will also take place at the southern end of the foreshore on Saturday, along with fee family water sports at Marmong Point Sailing Club and a food and wine festival at Speers Point Park from noon to 8pm.
The best Superboats viewing spots are considered to be Eleebana, Marmong Point and Warners Bay foreshore.
Lake Macquarie council's manager arts, culture and tourism, Jacqui Hemsley, said other highlights included a show and shine contest at Speers Point Park on Sunday, and aerobatic displays over the lake at 11.45am on Saturday, and 9.45am and 11.45am on Sunday.
