The annual Sproat Lake Regatta is set to bring high-speed boat racing back to Sproat Lake Provincial Park near Port Alberni, BC, on July 11 and 12, 2026. The event promises a weekend of action on the water and family-friendly activities on shore, with admission by donation.
Organized by the Alberni Valley Regatta Association, the regatta will feature a full lineup of racing classes, from powerful Formula 1 and Formula 40 boats to drag boats, flat bottoms, jets, and outboard racing. All racing takes place on the scenic waters of Sproat Lake.
The regatta’s roots go back to 1928, when the first races featured boats running at 20 horsepower over five-mile courses. The Sproat Lake Motor Boat Club formed in 1930 to make the races an annual July tradition. The event drew as many as 5,000 spectators during its peak in the 1950s and 60s, before a 51-year hiatus ended with its revival in 2014.
This year’s edition offers more than just racing. On Friday evening, the pits will open to the public, giving fans a chance to meet the drivers and see the boats up close before the action starts. The park’s 58 campsites, boat launch, and swimming areas make it easy for families to turn a day at the races into a full weekend getaway.
Sproat Lake Provincial Park is about 13 kilometres northwest of Port Alberni on Highway 4. The park also features a prehistoric petroglyph site for visitors to explore between races.
For more details, visit the Alberni Valley Tourism event page.
