BLACKWATER JOINT RACING COMMITTEECRUISER RACING ON THE
ESSEX BLACKWATER ESTUARY
The Blackwater Joint Racing Committee (BJRC) organises cruiser racing on the scenic River Blackwater in Essex, offering an enjoyable and accessible sailing experience. Our races follow the tide out and back, making them ideal for tide-dependent berths in the estuary. With boats of varying speeds and long race legs, competitors enjoy close racing whilst minimising crowded mark roundings—perfect for beginners to racing and short-handed crews. At the same time, seasoned racers will find plenty of competitive challenges to test boat speed navigation and the crew. Whether you’re new to racing or an experienced sailor, BJRC events provide exciting, well-balanced competition on the water.
DOCUMENTS
9 RACES
1 Passage Weekend
Courses take you offshore and include an ‘Out’, ‘Estuary’ and ‘In’ leg.
Come and join us whether you’re local or a visiting cruiser.
BLACKWATER JOINT RACING COMMITEE2026 RACES
All races are run by RYA clubs based on the Blackwater Estuary. The BJRC coordinates the events and a single entry of membership to the BJRC gets you to the start line of all 9 races.
Every race has an impressive trophy for both Local Handicap and YTC winners.
Every race has an impressive trophy for both Local Handicap and YTC winners.
BLACKWATER JOINT RACING COMMITTEESERIES CHAMPIONS
RYA/ITC and Local Handicap Champions will be determined with 4 discards allowed in the 9 race series.
Club champions will be calculated from the Weathermark Trophy race.
Club champions will be calculated from the Weathermark Trophy race.
LEARN MOREHOW OUR RACES ARE SAILED
Everyone's welcome.
Owners register their boat by completing the online form before their first race.
Once registered all races can be sailed, but be sure to register early to give our handicappers time to calculate a suitable handicap for you.
Cruisers from across the Blackwater Estuary mass at the designated start line in time for the countdown.
A course is selected from the published course card and at the gun you sail as hard and fast as you like.
Or if your new to racing cruise around the course while building your crew skills and confidence.
BLACKWATER JOINT RACING COMMITTEEWHO ARE THE SAILORS
CLUB RACERS
Contact any of our member clubs.
Every cruiser club on the estuary has a cruiser racing rep who’ll be able to put you in contact with an owner with a crew space on their boat.
Don’t be put off if you haven’t sailed much, we all learned from others and most owners are only too pleased to help you develop your skills.
CRUISER OWNERS
Racing is just sailing a course that somebody else sets.
There’s no better way to fine tune your crew for extended cruising, than getting them racing.
BLACKWATER JOINT RACING COMMITTEELATEST NEWS
Let’s get ready to rumble!
Springtime is on it’s way and temperatures will rise and the time draws near to antifoul our boats and prepare for the BJRC 2026 start line. Our first race this season is on Saturday April 25th. We look forward to seeing many boats out racing, but don’t get caught out, get your boat prep done...
RYA / YTC Registration.
We now use the popular RYA/YTC handicap system. Search the RYA web page for further details and registration forms.
BJRC Prize giving Dinner
We start this season with our traditional dinner at the Blackwater Sailing Club on Saturday 28nd February.2026 So many trophies to award to our winners from 2025 and a great opportunity to meet up with our racers from across the clubs on the Blackwater Estuary. Once again we’ll have our rolling slide show running throughout...
2026 Passage races August 8th & 9th
This years passage races will be held over the weekend of August 8th for the Freeman cup & 9th for the Success cup. The start line is as usual at the Nass beacon finishing at the Royal Harwich SC. These races are open to all entries. Trevor Holder has kindly agreed to continue to organise....