Dates
5 Jun 2026
Duration
3 days
Location
Mercury Yacht Harbour, Hamble
About
UK's only all-female open keelboat championship — three days at the Royal Southern with IRC, BKL one-design and a third fleet option.
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About
UK's only all-female open keelboat championship — three days at the Royal Southern with IRC, BKL one-design and a third fleet option.
The UK's only all-female open keelboat championship — three days of racing, coaching and community at the Royal Southern.
The Women's Open Keelboat Championship (WOKC) is hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club at Hamble in partnership with the British Keelboat League. Open to all skill levels — from seasoned round-the-world racers to crew finding their feet — with three fleets to suit different boats and entry routes:
- IRC Handicap Fleet — racing for the Women's Open Keelboat Championship trophy. Bring your own boat.
- BKL Women's Championship — supplied one-design fleet, alternates between RS21 (even years) and J/70 (odd years).
- A third fleet option referenced on the championship site (confirm with organiser).
Format: Friday training day with coached on-the-water sessions and video debriefs · Saturday championship racing with coaching support · Sunday final races and prize giving · social programme including BBQ and evening entertainment.
Sponsors include OneSails GBR South, Rooster (official technical clothing partner), and Harken UK. Past editions have raised funds for RNLI and Breast Cancer Now. The Spirit of WOKC Trophy recognises the crew that races competitively and champions inclusion in the sport.
Ready to race?
£450 · In 24 days · Fri 5 Jun
Race programme
Friday training & video debriefs · Saturday championship racing · Saturday social · Sunday final races and prize-giving.
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Race programme
Friday training & video debriefs · Saturday championship racing · Saturday social · Sunday final races and prize-giving.
Friday — training day
Coached on-the-water sessions for both fleets. Video filming and debriefs ashore at the Royal Southern. A great chance to settle into the boat before racing starts.
Saturday — championship racing
Multiple races across the day with coaching support between starts. Prize-giving format follows the BKL and IRC handicap fleet rules.
Saturday evening — social
BBQ and evening entertainment at the Royal Southern clubhouse. The community side of WOKC is as much the draw as the racing.
Sunday — final races & prize giving
Final day of racing followed by prize-giving — IRC handicap, BKL one-design, and the Spirit of WOKC Trophy.
Joining details
Friday morning training day — racing Saturday and Sunday. Based at the Royal Southern, Hamble.
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Joining details
Friday morning training day — racing Saturday and Sunday. Based at the Royal Southern, Hamble.
Meeting point
Mercury Yacht Harbour, Satchell Lane, Hamble-le-Rice, SO31 4HQ. We meet on the pontoon by your assigned berth — your skipper will share the berth number and a location pin in the crew WhatsApp group the week before.
Meeting point
Arrival
Parking
Crew WhatsApp
Before you arrive
Ready to race?
£450 · In 24 days · Fri 5 Jun
What to bring
Day-race kit, layers — boats, lifejackets and full safety equipment can be supplied for the BKL one-design fleet.
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What to bring
Day-race kit, layers — boats, lifejackets and full safety equipment can be supplied for the BKL one-design fleet.
Essential
Overnight
Offshore / double-handed
Provided
Not provided
Leave behind
Who can join
- Beginner — all experience levels welcome
Boats on this event
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Gallery
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FAQs
All-female crews, experience needed, borrowing a boat, accommodation, entry process.
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FAQs
All-female crews, experience needed, borrowing a boat, accommodation, entry process.
What's on the boat vs what I bring?
What if the weather is bad?
I'm sea-sick prone — can I still come?
I don't have a partner — can I still book?
Can I arrive the night before?
How do I cancel or change my booking?
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Ready to race?
£450 · In 24 days · Fri 5 Jun