The Bucca Kri

Ocean Race

19 / 20 Sep 2026

In Cornish Folklore the Bucca Kri was originally known as a sea spirit from West Penwith, but local fishermen more commonly associate it with a raging storm coming in from the Southwest – as they hear the Bucca cry, in the Cornish language, carried by prevailing south westerly winds foretelling of the impending storm.

Such provenance is in keeping with the ethos of the event, we need the prevailing south westerly to surf the 55km up the coast from St’Ives to Trevose; the goal of every paddler is to make it home before they hear the cry of the Bucca chasing them on the wind.

The Bucca Kri is a 55km straight downwind run, with virtual stage check points, along the north coast of Southwest peninsula of Cornwall, for both ski (single and double) and outrigger canoe (V6).

This is a Grade Four, Elite course – the most advance and exposed Ocean Racing course, as the finale of nine in the GB Ocean Race Series.

The event will be one of the longest point to point races in Europe, with only the best ocean paddlers competing, from UK and beyond.

This new Race is being organised and managed by the Ocean Sports Centre, in partnership with Ocean Surfski. Starting from the Ocean Sports Centre at Carbis Bay beach, St Ives the route rounds the Bull and Quies at Trevose head, to finish at Harlyn beach.

Entry Process

For the inaugural race The Bucca Kri is invitation only. Expressions of Interest are welcomed from paddlers confident in their own ability to complete the whole course in a single tidal window.

The race organisers will then invite successful applicants, based on information taken in part from the 2026 UK Ocean Racing Series and International results in 2025 and 2026. Selection will be by performance, regardless of gender or age.

Invitations for Expressions of Interest will be communicated widely on social media, via GB Ocean Racing and the organisers websites.

Classes and Numbers:

The 2026 Bucca Kri will be a test event, with restricted entry.

Surfski single (SS1):

• Top 20 UK Paddlers (Male and Female) (unless they choose to paddle in a double)
• 18 years and over

Surfski Double (SS2):

• The next 20 Male and Female UK paddlers.
• Men, Women or Mixed
• Includes all U18 Competitors who are invited to enter

V6:

• Three Crews, made up from the top three Outrigger clubs in the UK

This totals 33 craft on the water.

The Event can accommodate 7 additional craft to a total maximum of 40 craft on the course. These additional craft will be left open to the Race organisers discretion and could include international entries in any of the classes.

In order to compensate for the difference in speed between craft, ages and gender a staggered start will be used.

1. South to North Course

SW Wind on the Flood tide

Sunday 20 Sept 26.

First Start: 06.00 (U18 SS2, SS1 Women, V6)

Second Start: 06.30 (SS1 Men, SS2 Open)

2. North to South Course

If required, the course can be reversed on the Ebb tide

Saturday 19 Sept 26 –

First Start: 11.00 (U18 SS2, SS1 Women, V6)

Second Start: 11.30 (SS1 Men, SS2 Open)

As a guide, due to the advanced nature and exposure of the course, competitors will be needed to be confident to meet this level of competency, which revolve around strong navigation and technical skills, good fitness, competent and confidence in dynamic open water environments. Guidance:

• Conditions: Can paddle in challenging conditions, including rough seas and winds up to 24 knots.

• Speed: Average speed of 10 km/h for 6 hours on flat / calm water, with no tidal or wind assistance, without undue effort.

• Remounting: Can remount from both sides in rough conditions in waves, winds up to 24 knots.

• Emergency Skills: Can paddle to shore in challenging conditions, cross wind & waves; Can operate personal communication personal devices when in difficulty.

• Assistance: Can assist other paddlers in distress in rough conditions, stabilising them in waves and assisting remount.

• Downwind: Proficient in downwind paddling, able to link waves and maintain a steady flow, with good navigation control in advanced downwind conditions.

• Upwind: Can paddle upwind efficiently in winds up to 24 knots, maintaining reasonable speed and control.

• Preparation: Have thoroughly recced the route and paddled the course in parts or whole, navigation wise can identify where they are at all stages of the course. self-Certified medically fit to race in challenging conditions

• Kit & Equipment:  Carry compulsory safety kit. Have inspected their kit, equipment and craft to ensure it is fit for purpose. Have practised in the kit and familiar with all the equipment and craft.

• Nutrition and Hydration: Have sufficient hydration and nutrition, with them for a 6hr race.

Due to the distance offshore the Safety cover will be multi layered.

1. The event will follow the well-established event safety protocols for Ocean Racing in the UK and will be approved by Paddle UK and ORUK Committee in line with ICF procedures and current best practice.

2. Athletes will be invited to enter. These will be athletes with proven experience and known performance to attempt such an exposed course, and finish within the tidal window.

3. Limited numbers of craft on the course – Maximum of 40 Craft in 2026.

4. All competitors will follow the Paddle UK & ICF Ocean Racing safety guidance with regards to their craft, safety and personal equipment.

5. Live GPS trackers will be carried on all craft.

6. All paddlers will carry a means of communication.

7. Virtual safety gates will be positioned along the course to confirm positions of craft.

8. Land based control centre will be set up.

9. A dedicated Race Control Boat, with professional crew.

10. Safety Craft: Three 8.8m RIBs with professional coxswains.

11. One of the three Safety craft will be rigged up and crewed to support and if necessary to recover a V6.

12. Two sweep vehicles will be utilised to follow the race along the coast and be available to meet any craft that has come off the course and returned to shore.

With a restricted entry in the test year, and to keep entry price the same as the other GB Series Races, the ticket price will cover the event costs, but not the safety craft.

Running an Elite course of this length, this far from the shore, requires the use of three deep-water Safety RIBs and a Race Control boat with professional helms, which means we move into completely different area of costs to provide the safety cover required.

This comes at a cost of £16,000

We are looking for a headline Event Sponsor, to cover the total cost of the Safety Craft.

Or a Sponsor for each safety craft and the control boat @ £4,000 each.

Please contact the race organisers:

Glenn Eldridge            ocean.sports.uk@gmail.com

Jim Taylor-Ross           jim@oceansurfski.co.uk

8 May 2026