Power boat racing took place on the waters on the River Tyne for the first time over the weekend. Gavin Havery wonders whether the roar of high-speed motorboats could become a regular feature on the famous waterway

SEVERAL years ago, beneath a structure that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Tyne Bridge, I was given a water tour like none other.

Memories of my power boat ride around Sydney Harbour came flooding back yesterday as I had a similar adrenaline-fuelled experience between the banks of the Tyne.

In terms of sheer excitement, skipping along the surface of the water at speeds of up to 50mph is a memorable way to take in the sights of our region.

My powerboat trip on Tyneside was made possible because of the NE1 Newcastle Zapcat Grand Prix, which was staged on the Tyne for the first time on Saturday and yesterday.

It involved amateur teams, as well as experienced crews from the Royal Marines, and follows the recent creation of Newcastle City Marina, which has 12 permanent pontoons, allowing the mooring of vessels up to 40ft in length.

The UK Zapcat National Racing Championship is the aquatic equivalent of Formula One car racing and uses powerful, lightweight and highly-manoeuvrable boats, providing a thrilling spectacle for the crowds who gathered to watch.

The NE1 Grand Prix event took place on a race circuit mapped out on the river between the Tyne and Millennium Bridges and featured up to 25 teams.

I was taken for a spin by Captain Richie Lake, who leads the Royal Marine’s Zapcat Association, to get a flavour of the sport.

With a dry suit and a fullface crash helmet, this was a very different experience to my Sydney Harbour tour, which felt like a pleasure cruise by comparison.

Hurtling towards other craft and the river infrastructure, near the Swing Bridge, certainly sharpens up the senses and reminded me to make sure my leg was firmly lodged within the safety strap before we did yet another 90-degree hard left turn.

Catching the wave of another boat, we left the surface momentarily and skipped over the water like a flat stone before stopping briefly, then rearing into the air to tear off again.

I asked Mike Sandford, of Zapcat Racing, which organised the event, whether highoctane Tyne tours could be offered to a wider audience.

Mr Sandford said: “We have taken thousands of people out over the years, so it could be that we build them into the days building up to the races in the future.

“As championship organisers, this is an exciting venue for us. People are talking about not only bringing the event but growing it.”

Zapcat Racing may not be launching a regular power boat service for tourists any time soon, but, judging by the interest the event garnered over the weekend, there may be scope for other operators to take the plunge.