BREMERTON — Kitsap Lake will be closed to the public May 21-22, but for a good reason: dozens of hydroplanes will use the lake for the Armed Forces Regatta, a sanctioned American Power Boat Association race.

Occurring off and on for more than 50 years, the Seattle Outboard Association is hosting a regatta that will include more than 15 class races, with somewhere between 80 and 100 registered entries, though many of the drivers are entered in more than one class, said race director Dwight Malhiot.

Malhiot has been involved in the racing for about 37 years, he said, and will be competing in two classes this weekend.

“We have classes that we run that reach 100 mph fairly easy,” he said. “One of my classes, I hope to be doing somewhere around 90 mph.”

The event will include racers as young as 9 years old, and as old as a driver in his 70s, Malhiot said.

“It’s boys and girls,” he added, “this is truly not just a ‘boy’s sport;’ we’ve got a lot of girls racing.”

The racing hydroplanes range in size from 8-12 feet long. Because this is a sanctioned competition, racers can earn APBA points to earn championships.

“Before football, before baseball was anything in the Pacific Northwest, unlimited hydroplane racing was quite big,” Malhiot said, “(it) was one of the biggest things in Seattle.”

He said anyone who likes a lot of competition would enjoy spectating the regatta.

“(It’s a) good family event,” Malhiot said. “My son races. My daughters raced … their dad raced, their kids raced. It’s a family thing.”

The APBA website says, “From the time your parents give you permission, till the day the doctor wouldn’t recommend it, the thrill and the excitement of power boating can be enjoyed. Whether you’ve been a life-long fan trying to get a feel for the adrenaline running through your body, or you’re trying to introduce your son or daughter to the sport, there’s everything far and in between in this octane-fueled pastime.”

Malhiot said the lake will be closed during the vent “because we are small boats.”

“Wakes are very detrimental, especially when you have the smaller kids out there,” Malhiot said. “We’re just hoping that the wind doesn’t pick up also.”

The regatta will be from 10 a.m. until about 6 p.m. May 21 and 22 at Kitsap Lake. Fore more information about the regatta, visit www.seattleoutboard.org. To learn more about the lake closure, visit www.ci.bremerton.wa.us/Civi cAlerts.aspx?AID=223.