The pedal and propeller powered hydrofoil Decavitator sliced through the water at 18.50 knots (21.28 mph).

Water events have been a feature at HPVA Speed Championships for many years. The improvement of human powered watercraft took a significant jump in 1987 when Allen Abbott propelled the hydrofoil Flying Fish to a speed of 12.94 knots (14.89 mph). Under the stimulus of the Dupont Water Prize, MIT’s Decavitator, ridden by Mark Drela, achieved a speed of 18.50 knots in 1991. There is still the challenge to break the 20 knot barrier.