BREMERTON — Kitsap Lake will be off-limited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 19-20 to allow for the running of the 2018 Armed Forces Regatta.

The race is sponsored by the Seattle Outboard Association and is part of the Annual Armed Forces Festival.

The regatta will feature outboard powered hydroplane and runabout races. The boats range in size from 8-14 feet in length with drivers ranging from juniors, beginning at 9 years of age, all the way up to seniors. Seattle Outboard Association members who have gone on to become professional unlimited hydroplane drivers include Chip Hanauer and Nate Brown.

This regatta is an officially sanctioned American Power Boat Association race, from which participants can earn points toward national rankings and competitions.

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.”

The lake is closed to non-racers since hydroplanes, being small and lightweight, can be easily capsized by waves.

For more information about the closure, contact the Bremerton Parks and Recreation Department at 360-473-5305. For more information about the regatta, visit www.seattleoutboard.org.