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 COMMITEE2025 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
IRC 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 2025 startline. Our first race this season is May 4th. We look forward to seeing many boats out racing, but don’t get caught out, get your boat prep done early and return...
Sail Measurements for IRC
Are you preparing to apply for a new IRC certificate this season or need to revalidate the one from last year because you’ve got a new sail? Marconi Sailing Club will be running a self measuring workshop in March. The workshop is for any sailors intending to race in the BJRC series this season from...
BJRC Prize Giving Dinner
We start this season with our traditional dinner at the Blackwater Sailing Club on Saturday 22nd February.2025 So many trophies to award to our winners from 2024 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...