Ryan Stevens — Team Reckless Abandonment — Photo by Pure Impact Studios
One of the most common questions I get from racers is simple: is a steering nozzle extension legal for competition? The honest answer is that it depends on your class and the rulebook in force. Here is exactly what the current IJSBA rules say, and what I am still confirming.
Where the rulebook allows an extended nozzle
Several IJSBA classes explicitly allow an extended or aftermarket steering nozzle. In the Modified, Limited, and Mod Lites Ski classes, the rules state that the pump nozzle and directional nozzle may be modified or aftermarket, and that the overall length of the complete pump and nozzle assembly may be no more than 50.00mm longer than original equipment, whether using spacers or extended nozzles. The same 50mm allowance appears in the Sport Spec class.
“Overall length of the complete pump and nozzle assembly may be no more than 50.00mm (1.97 in.) longer than original equipment.”
— IJSBA Competition Rule Book, class rules (Sport Spec, Vintage Ski and others)
That is the exact rule my sizing is built around. My 50mm extension sits right at that maximum, and my 30mm is comfortably under it.
It depends on your class
Not every class allows it, so check yours before you race:
- Modified, Limited, Mod Lites and Sport Spec: an extended nozzle is allowed, up to 50mm longer than original equipment.
- Stock and Lites classes: these must remain strictly stock. They prohibit internal modifications to driveline components and do not explicitly permit a steering nozzle extension. They allow steering-ratio (quick-turn) changes only, so do not assume an extension is legal here.
- Vintage Ski (550): allows the pump and nozzle assembly to extend by a larger amount than 50mm.
Always confirm the current rule for your exact class and event. Rulebooks are updated every year, and the decision of the technical or race director at the event is final.
You can read the current rules in the official IJSBA competition rulebook (2025 edition, last updated February 11, 2025) here: ijsba.com/ijsba-competition-rule-book.
I am seeking official confirmation
To give you the clearest possible answer, I have reached out directly to the main racing organisations to confirm how my extensions are classified across their classes. I have not received replies yet. As soon as I get clarification, I will update this post so you have a definitive answer rather than my interpretation.
How the extension helps on the race course
Within the rules, the extension is a real advantage. The added leverage makes the steering more direct and precise, which helps you place the ski exactly where you want it through a buoy turn. At speed the steering firms up slightly, which makes the ski feel more stable and planted in rough water, without asking more effort from you. For racing, that combination of precision and stability is exactly what you want when every line counts.
What I am developing next
This is an evolving project. I am currently working on different angle options and diameters, so riders can tune the effect to their conditions, their weight, and their class rules rather than settling for one fixed setup. I am testing these with a small group of racers who are contributing enormously to the development, giving me real feedback from real competition conditions.
Want to be a contributor?
If you race and want to help shape what comes next, I would like to hear from you. I share test products and prototypes with contributing riders in exchange for honest feedback from the water. It is the best way for me to build parts that genuinely work where it matters, and for you to influence the products before they exist.
