That’s because the racing will be up close to thousands of people along the shore, and it will feature a world-class field of more than 80 professional riders.

The inaugural 2017 Lake Macquarie Personal Watercraft (PWC) Race will feature both endurance and circuit formats, and will be the first event on the 2017/18 Australian racing calendar.

The weekend's racing will also count towards the NSW PWC series and send dozens of “skis” and heavier, power-packed “runabouts” zipping across Lake Macquarie.

“It's probably the equivalent of MotoGP or Motocross on water,” event manager Mark Glew said.

“We're a bit privileged that some of our jet skis in Australia are absolutely world class.”

Racing will be hold over the Saturday and Sunday, with courses running between Warners Bay and Eleebana.

“Australia’s No 1 riders Paul Levin and Justin Windsor will both be racing in addition to more than six current and former world champion riders,” Mr Glew said.

“Current No. 1 world endurance racer Christian D’Agostin will compete on Saturday. Former world No. 1 female rider Kylie Elmers will also take to the water as a hot favourite against all the men.”

The endurance races typically take from 20 to 30 minutes.

They begin with a dead engine start with riders starting behind their PWC.

Circuit racing, meanwhile, is a shorter racing format.

Races are typically completed in six to 10 minutes.

These begin with a running engine start, typically in start gates with handlers.

Spectators will get their first look at the jet skis in action during a demonstration off the Warners Bay foreshore from 5pm to 6pm on Friday, October 13.

On Saturday, October 14, endurance racing will be held from 9.30am to 5pm.

And on Sunday, October 15, see the circuit racing from 8.30am to 5pm.

The Lake Macquarie Big Weekend will also feature offshore superboat races, the Matt Hall Air show, and various foreshore attractions.