Guest of Honour 2025

Hungarian Motorized Water Sports Association

Powerboat racing has never been a major sport in Hungary. However, it has always been more successful than expected. Almost every year has brought its own European and/or World Championship, or at least international recognition, and as a result powerboat racing has taken its rightful place among Hungary’s successful sports, and continues to do so even today.

The Hungarian Motor Boat Association (MMSZ) was founded in 1930. In 1931, races were already held in Hungary, in about 11 classes. The accelerated development started in 1957, when the Hungarian Powerboat Association (MMSZ) was responsible for the integration of the powerboat divisions. The Association is responsible for the whole field of the sport – initiating, organising and implementing, deciding on subjects within its competence, running committees, establishing the championship system, drawing up competition rules, preparing the national and international calendar, managing the national team and providing the education of junior teams.

In 2022, the Hungarian Powerboat Association was incorporated into the Hungarian Motorized Water Sports Association. The current president of the Hungarian Powerboat Association has been carrying out his duties for more than 35 years. During his term of office, the number of motorboat races in Dunaújváros exceeded 50, and he has brought numerous international races to Baja, Szeged, Ercsi and the capital, enhancing the reputation of our country. In 2017, he brought the Formula Future European and World Youth Championships to Hungary, providing a boost to the sport’s youth education in Hungary.

Video summary of the 2022 European Championships

Formula Future Section

Children can learn the basics of powerboating for the first time. Besides the love of the sport, it is important to note that children learn discipline and completing tasks requires practice and courage. The course is set up in accordance with the rules (based on the rule book) and gives them the opportunity to learn different exercises. Younger children attempt to complete the course in safe rubber boats equipped with 10 horsepower engines, with an adult in the boat. Children wear life jackets and helmets. The “older” generation is now alone in the 15-horsepower motor-powered rubber boat without a chaperone. These boats are 3 metres long and 1.7 metres wide and are manually steered. The task is to slalom between buoys, push, moor and manoeuvre. It is important that only one boat is allowed on the track at a time, under the supervision of a rescue boat. In addition to the wet test, on land the students will learn various rope knotting techniques, 5 types of basic nautical knots. The official competition rules/regulations and the necessary documents and pictures can be found on the Association’s website. Shortly, the aim of the competition is to complete the course in the shortest possible time and in the prescribed conditions.

For example, if a gate set up from cones is touched, a time penalty is given. The Hungarian Motorized Water Sports Association provides practices on the courses to ensure the successful performance of junior competitors (6-18 years). It also organises a training camp every year, which provides fundamental preparation for international competition.