The Blackbuoy Cup

Bridport, through the Bridport Swimming Club, has a long tradition of sea swimming both in water polo and racing events.  Regrettably, the advent of swimming pools from the 1950s onwards, the decline in popularity of swimming in general and the increased requirements of health and safety regulations saw the demise of organised sea swimming throughout  South Dorset.

Today, however, swimming is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, Bridport boasts two swimming clubs, The Bridport Swimming Club and the Bridport Barracudas Swimminmg Club. The clubs between them cater for beginners, “age group swimmers”, masters and water polo divisions and, in 2006, water polo made a welcome return to sea swimming in Bridport with competitions in the harbour at West Bay.

In 2007 the 'Blackbuoy Cup',  or, to give it its full name, The Blackbuoy Perpetual Challenge Cup, was re-introduced into the Bridport swimming calendar. It is known that the Cup was competed for as long ago as 2007 but the current Men's Cup was first competed for in 1951. The current Ladies' Cup, although much smaller than the Men's Cup, claims seniority having first been competed for in 1950. The race was last swum in 1984 after which it fell into disuse until resurrected in 2007.

The Race has started from East Beach, West Bay, and also from the Harbour at West Bay but from either location the competitors swam straight out to sea to a buoy positioned according to ancient tradition and known only to a few, local ancient mariners;  it is believed, however, that the total distance to the Buoy and back is a “Bridport Mile” or, approximately, 1225 metres. Today, for safety reasons, the race is swum from West Beach and is open to members of either swimming club and residents of Bridport or the surrounding villages.

Blackbuoy Cup 2011 Update

Twenty four Swimmers were disappointed when the 2011 Blackbuoy Perpetual Cup Sea Swim was cancelled on the 18th September after three weeks of inclement weather.  This was the first time that the race had to be cancelled after being successfully reintroduced 4 years ago; however, organizers are intent on continuing this local traditional race and announced that in 2012 there will also be a reintroduction of another traditional sea race known locally as the Delapre.

The organizers wish to thank James Radcliffe, West Bay Harbour Master for his continuing interest and support of the race.  Also we wish to thank all the Volunteers, the Gig Club, Safety Boats and Kayakers and the Swimmers for their support and for standing by for the past three weeks.
 
The proposed date for the 2012 Blackbuoy  Perpetual Cup Sea Race is the 9th September which alternative dates of the following two Sundays.