Get your entries in for the British Keelboat League at Burnham!

2018 British Keelboat League racing in Burnham © Roger Mant

Teams urged to sign up by 29 May to #rockupandrace in 707s

The British Keelboat League is heading to the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club at Burnham-on-Crouch with teams invited to get their entries in for some fast-paced and fun racing.

The event promises two unmissable days of short course, quick turnaround fleet racing in the Essex club's rigged and ready-to-go 707 keelboats over the weekend of 11-12 June.

Up to 12 teams of four or five sailors, each with no more than three male sailors on board at any one time, will be battling for supremacy on the River Crouch.

As with all British Keelboat League (BKL) events, the backdrop is stunning and the stage is set for an exciting series: teams will compete in nearly 20 races with a premium on teamwork and boat handling - and places for the Grand Final in The Solent this autumn up for grabs.

Entry per team is £365 and registrations close on Sunday 29 May 2022. Teams can enter online and then simply need to turn up on the day with their sailing kit to #rockupandrace with a good time on the water and on shore guaranteed.

Keelboat Development Manager at the RYA, Richard Moxey, said: "The British Keelboat League returns to Burnham this year in June and the teams have a lot to look forward to - it's always fun racing on the River Crouch and they really know how to après!"

While in previous years the BKL has been aimed specifically at clubs, 2022 is for all-comers. Although some may still choose to represent their club, entries are also open to any team of sailors, including those representing classes, universities and sailing organisations - or who may want to create with friends and family their own unique team of weekend warriors!

Among those entering the event at Burnham is Scarlett Anderson, a Royal Corinthian YC sailor, who said: "This year I've decided to enter the BKL with friends to create a university alumni team. This will be our first time racing in the BKL and we are excited to do some intense short course keelboat racing! We haven't sailed together before but are looking forward to the challenge and to racing against some great teams."

By widening entry beyond clubs for 2022, the BKL Championship aims to be more inclusive and as in previous years there will be a warm welcome for both experienced keelboat sailors and those wanting to try this aspect of the sport for the first time.

The pay-and-play series will visit a variety of venues and includes Youth, Women's and Sailability championships, with the top two teams from each event qualifying for the BKL Grand Final:

• 11-12 June: Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham-on-Crouch, 707s
• 18-19 June: Hayling Island Sailing Club, Hampshire, RS21s
• 2-3 July: BKL Youth Championship at Queen Mary SC, London, RS21s
• 16-17 July: BKL Women's Championship, Royal Southern YC, Hampshire, RS21s
• 10-11 September: Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, Wales, RS21s
• 17-18 September: BKL Sailability Championship, Cardiff Bay YC, RS21s
• 30 September-2 October: Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hampshire, BKL FINAL

Find out more about this year's BKL and enter here...