THE BRITISH OPEN CRABBING CHAMPIONSHIP
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WALBERSWICK

Pictures of the 29th Championship and details of winners are available to see here.

Each year in the delightful coastal village of Walberswick in Suffolk, The British Open Crabbing Championship is held. Great fun for children of all ages (nobody born before 1890 may enter!), the event raises funds for charities and good causes. In 2007 a record 762 entrants enjoyed this event, in 2008 this record was smashed in to little pieces by an amazing attendance of 978 however 2009 saw an amazing attendance of 1252 entrants - so many in fact that whole new crabbing area had to be opened - an unprecedented event and the BCF did remarkably well to accomodate such unexpected numbers. All proceeds from this Championship will be donated to the Walberswick Sea and River Defence organisations whose sole aim and objective is to protect the community and its environment for years to come.

The basic idea is simple - over a 90 minute period, and armed only with a single line and bait of your choice, the person landing the single heaviest crab wins. Many entrants use bait made to a closely guarded secret, and competition is intense!

A fee of £1 is payable to enter, and all equipment (buckets, bait and line) is available on site for a small charge. Refreshments are available at the RNLI stalls on the site. Also on sale are the much sought after "I Caught Crabs in Walberswick" T-shirts which are only on sale on the day, and other souveniers.

An engraved Silver Salver is awarded to the winning entrant along with a 'gold' medal and £50 prize money. Runners up receive 'silver' and 'bronze' medals as well as prize money of £30 and £15 respectively. All entrants receive a pot of finest crab paste sponsored by Shippams.

Reports of Previous Championships:

1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008