If you've ever been sitting at Buffalo Springs Lake on a hot summer day and thought, "You know what this place needs? More horsepower," then you're in luck!

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This weekend, some of the fastest personal watercraft racers in the country are headed to Lubbock as Buffalo Springs Lake and Family Powersports welcome Nauti Water Racing as they bring national-level competition to the South Plains.

And trust me, this isn't your buddy cruising around the lake on a rented jet ski.

Buffalo Springs Lake
Buffalo Springs Lake
Buffalo Springs Lake

These Machines Are Serious Business

Nauti Water Racing operates one of the nation's largest jet ski racing organizations and sanctions events featuring some incredibly powerful watercraft.

In the professional classes, racers can reach speeds of 80 to 90 miles per hour while navigating a buoy-marked course filled with tight turns, rough water, and jumps.

Some of the top competitors race highly modified machines producing well over 250 horsepower.

That's more horsepower than a lot of vehicles you'll see driving around Lubbock.

It's More Like Motocross Than A Day At The Lake

If you've never attended a jet ski race before, the atmosphere might surprise you.

Think motocross, dirt track racing, or a weekend at a drag strip...except it's all happening on the water.

Families, crews, racers, sponsors, and spectators spend the weekend around the pits discussing setups, horsepower, and racing strategy. Visitors can often walk through the pit area and get an up-close look at the machines and meet the competitors.

It's a very family-friendly environment, despite the high speeds and intense competition.

Stand-Up Skis, Runabouts, And Plenty Of Action

The event features several different classes.

Some racers compete on stand-up skis like the Yamaha SuperJet or Kawasaki SX-R, where balance and athleticism are just as important as speed.

Others race larger sit-down models from Yamaha, Sea-Doo, and Kawasaki that can absolutely fly across the water.

Watching these racers launch through choppy sections and carve around buoys at high speed is something you have to see in person to fully appreciate.

Buffalo Springs Lake
Buffalo Springs Lake
Buffalo Springs Lake

A Big Weekend For Buffalo Springs Lake

Having a stop on the Nauti Water Racing schedule is a big deal for Buffalo Springs Lake and for Lubbock.

Normally, fans of the sport have to travel to places like Lake Havasu, Grand Lake, or coastal venues to watch national-level competition. This weekend, it's happening just minutes from town.

So whether you're a racing fan, a lake lover, or simply looking for something different to do around Lubbock, Buffalo Springs Lake is the place to be this weekend!

And if nothing else, it's a pretty good excuse to spend a summer day at the lake while watching people do 90 miles per hour on water.

Also, Buffalo Springs Lake offers free gate admission to active-duty military members and veterans with a valid military ID.

That sounds like a win to me.

Buffalo Springs Lake is basically just east 50th street:

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