British Keelboat League Celebrates 10 Years with Record-Breaking 2025 Season and Sets Sights on 2026
The British Keelboat League (BKL) celebrated a major milestone in 2025, marking its 10th anniversary since it’s ‘test event’, with the most successful season in the League’s history. Participation reached record levels across teams, sailors, races, and boats, underlining the continued growth and appeal of keelboat racing at club level across the UK.
The 2025 season featured seven events hosted by four clubs, attracting 92 teams and 401 sailors, an increase of almost 30 teams and nearly 90 sailors compared to 2024. Across the series, competitors contested 196 races in 47 boats, delivering consistently close, high-quality racing throughout the year.
2025 Champions Crowned at Royal Thames Yacht Club
The season concluded with the 2025 British Keelboat League Finals, hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club, where the League’s champions were crowned:
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BKL Champions: Burnham Sailing Club
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Women’s Champions: Lymington Town Sailing Club
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Youth Champions: Royal Hospital School Sailing Team
As a result of their success, all three teams will represent their clubs and the British Keelboat League in the Sailing Champions League in 2026, competing at international events in Germany, Denmark, and Norway against the best teams from across the European Nations Sailing Leagues.
A Decade of Growth
Since its launch in 2016, the British Keelboat League has grown steadily, more than doubling participation over the past decade. Following a strong post-pandemic recovery, the League has seen accelerating growth over the last three seasons, culminating in the record-breaking 2025 series. This success has been achieved as a result of the exciting racing format, delivered by host clubs such as The Royal Thames YC and the Royal Southern YC, who with the technical support of the KSail team have been instrumental in driving the BKL series since it’s inception.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Series
The British Keelboat League now looks ahead to an even bigger 2026 season, with plans for:
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8 events
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Over 100 teams
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More than 440 sailors
The 2026 series actually started in October 2025 with 15 teams participating in the Academy Trophy at the Royal Southern and this will shortly be followed with events at Queen Mary’s Sailing Club on 24–25 January, followed by Rutland Sailing Club on 14–15 February, as teams from across the country return to the water for another highly competitive season.
The 2026 British Keelboat League Finals will be hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club in September 2026, providing a prestigious setting to conclude the season.
Join the British Keelboat League in 2026
With a proven format, record participation, and a clear pathway to international competition, the British Keelboat League continues to offer one of the most accessible and exciting keelboat racing opportunities in the UK.
Entries are now open for the 2026 series, and clubs and teams of all backgrounds are encouraged to get involved.