The Bucca Kri

Overview

The Bucca Kri is a grade four elite 55km straight downwind race, along the north coast of the Cornwall, for ski (single and double) and outrigger canoe (V6). One of the longest point to point races in Europe, 2026 will be a test event with a limited number of invited paddlers competing from the UK and beyond.

This new Race is being organised and managed by the Ocean Sports Centre in partnership with Ocean Surfski, under the authority of Paddle UK. 

The Route 

With the Bucca blowing from the South West the race starts on Sunday 20^th September 2026 from the Ocean Sports Centre at Carbis Bay beach, St Ives, heading North East, round the Bull and Quies at Trevose head, to finish at Harlyn beach. 

Should the wind dictate the race will be reversed, racing from Harlyn to Carbis, commencing on Saturday 19 Sept.

The background

Glenn Eldrige and Jim Taylor-Ross ventured to Hawaii on a whim, more than 25 years ago. Borrowing a boat, sleeping on floors, and guessing the route, they raced in the Moloka’i. On the plane home they crafted the Bucca Kri and have been planning it ever since. 2026 is the time for the test event, to prove the concept and launch the legend.

The Cry of the Bucca

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.

Fundraising

Many thanks to our committed sponsors who have helped to launch this test event, contributing £200 per kilometre to cover the costs of the professional safety team. We still need to fund the last few kilometres.  https://gofund.me/0e89c4a75

All participants must read the full Race Information Document 

Timings :

Dependent on the wind direction over the weekend the race will be run either :

• From Harlyn to Carbis on Saturday 19 Sept or
• From Carbis to Harlyn on Sunday 20 Sept

Many thanks to:

• Our many, generous sponsors.
• The Land Owners for permission to use the beaches.
• The Volunteers for helping to organise the race.
• Our Safety Crews.
• The Competitors for taking part and creating the legend!